“Benvenuti” to the Pearl of the Alps
Lago di Braies (or Prager Wildsee in German) is the most famous lake in the Dolomites. Ringed by dense rows of larches and warded by massive mountains, it bears the nickname “Pearl of the Alps”. Perfectly reflected in its wide mirror is the north face of Croda del Becco (or Seekofel), which forms the border between the South Tyrol and Belluno regions.
Due to its picturesque setting and easy approach, Lago di Braies has become one of the most Instagrammable locations in Italy. Every day during summer and winter, crowds of people gather to admire the scenery and snap photos on its tiktok-iconic dock. The majority don’t go further than that, which is a shame, because a loop hike is a great way to enjoy the sights.
This is a short, extremely simple loop that can be done clockwise or counterclockwise without much effort. I recommend going as early as possible or later in the day, when the sunset dyes this amphitheater in shades of orange and pink. The lake is also famous for being the starting point of Alta Via 1.