Lake Braies (Lago di Braies)

Lake Braies (Lago di Braies or Pragser Wildsee) is the most hyped lake in the Dolomites and the most popular among tourists.

It is located at an altitude of 1496 meters and is surrounded by mountains that rise more than a kilometer. Was formed due to an artificial dam, which was formed by falling pieces of rock.


We arrived in the evening and walked around the lake. This walk is highly recommended, the place is really beautiful.


On a sunny day, when the water becomes azure, it makes sense to rent a boat.












The real beauty can usually be found in the mornings, when the rising sun illuminate tops of the mountains and they are reflected in the water. Usually tens of tourists are gathered on the shore to make photos.




It's a great place to meet the dawn. Even in spite of the tourists, it’s quiet and calm.... well, almost always. At some point, tourists begin to launch drones. More than 10 drones flew around us in the air at the same time. Moreover, they all fly over the lake at a low altitude, interfering with other tourists and photographers. I can’t imagine what can be shot by flying low over the water. We took such a photo from afar.


Since we arrived in the evening, we spent the night at a hotel near Lake Hotel Lago di Braies (booking.com). This is a pathos hotel in which the highest aristocratic society has been resting since the beginning of the 20th century. In particular, here was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand with his family, whose murder led to the outbreak of the First World War.

At the moment, the hotel is too overrated and needs major repairs. But what struck me the most is the absense of Wi-Fi in a hotel with prices starting from 200 euros per room! Moreover, there is no mobile Internet, we caught it only in one place, on the shore of the lake. Hotel owners, do you know that Wi-Fi exists even on Easter Island? Here is a link in Wikipedia for you.


Getting there: parking N 46 42.039 E 12 05.086. Bus 442 (timetable) runs to the lake from Dobbiaco / Toblach (N 46 44.051 E 12 13.427) via Villabassa / Niederdorf (N 46 44.294 E 12 10.135). There are railway stations in both towns.