LAKES IN THE DOLOMITES: The 3 Must See
/LAKES IN THE DOLOMITES:
THE 3 MUST-SEE
The Dolomites are full of amazing landscapes, hikes, and adventures, but what I have enjoyed the most while visiting this region back in June is the incredible beauty of the Dolomites lakes! Lakes in the Dolomites are as varied as they are beautiful and in this blog post, you’ll discover my three favorites for photography. If you’re keen to learn more about the region, make sure you also check my 5 Days Dolomites Roadtrip Itinerary.
LAKES IN THE DOLOMITES // Lago Di Carezza
Hiking: No hiking, unless you park in the further parking lot and then it’s a 20 minutes hike to reach the lake
Where to Park: Pay parking lot in front or free parking lot past the main parking lot, 5 minutes up the hill
Best Time to Go: Sunrise
Lago di Carezza is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Being there feels like stepping foot in an enchanted forest! Very early in the morning—I was there at 5am, the surface of the lake is perfectly still and the reflection is absolutely gorgeous. If anything, with Lago di Carezza, I recommend coming here as early as you can. Jake and I had the lake almost to ourselves for the first 2 hours, but after that people started arriving in small swarms and it became a lot harder to navigate for photography.
Although Lago Di Carezza is a rather small alpine lake, I think its reputation has grown due to its incredible colors and breathtaking views of the Latemar mountain range. Its location is a bit far removed from other sights in the area, but I really do recommend the drive out. The walk around the lake is very enjoyable and takes about 20 minutes.
Green Wanderlust tip: If you get here and leave before 9am, the parking is free!
LAKES IN THE DOLOMITES // Lago Di Sorapis
Hiking: 2 hours to 2 and a half hours uphill
Best Time to Go: Sunset & Sunrise
Where to Park: Park near Restaurant Son Zuogo, in Passo Tre Coci
This was our first time visiting the lake and we were absolutely taken by the mesmerizing color of the lake. It’s the bluest lake I’ve ever seen! It really is a magical place.
Lago Di Sorapis is one of the most popular hikes in the area and if you want to experience the lake without the crowds, I think I’ve figured out the best approach. Jake and I visited back in June and we decided to hike out to the lake in the evening at around 5pm and sleepover at the Refugio Vandelli—located a 5 minutes walk away from the lake. From there, you’ll be able to enjoy the lake both at sunset and at sunrise, without a soul in sight! Do make sure you call to book an overnight space at the Refugio.
In terms of parking, make sure you park at Passo Tre Coci near Restaurant Son Zuogo, and follow the signs for trailhead #215 to get to the lake. It’s easy to get lost here! The hike to the lake took about 2 hours at a good pace and there were some steep sections with little railing to hold on to.
Green Wanderlust Photo tip: There are many vantage points to photograph this lake so be sure you get creative with your shots. Consider adding flowers in the foreground of your photo or a person in the background. It’s rather simple to hop on one of the nearest rock if you really want to get the best frame for your shot.
LAKES IN THE DOLOMITES // Lago di Braies
Hiking: No hiking
Best Time to Go: Light is best late morning or during sunset
Where to Park: Parking on site is 25€ for an hour and restricted from 10 am to 3 pm from mid-July to mid-September (shuttle available from further, cheaper parking lots)
The Pearl of the Dolomites, also known as Lago di Braies is one of the most famous lakes in the Dolomites! Lago di Braies can be enjoyed by foot, walking around an easy loop around the lake, or by renting a rowboat from the nearby, iconic boathouse. If you want to rent a boat, it’s best to arrive before 8 am, especially during the busy summer months.
One thing I do want to point out before you venture out and visit this gorgeous lake is that the photos you see of it on Instagram can be misleading. Having seen many of these classic Lago di Braies shorts before, Jake and I were expecting to visit a quaint and quiet alpine lake with very few people around. If that is what you are expecting too, I do think it is important to set different expectations.
Lago Di Braies is not a small alpine lake with no infrastructure in sight, over the years it has grown to become a rather important money-making tourism enterprise, and rightfully so—it is after all one of Italy’s most famous lakes. Right at the entrance, there are three huge parking lots that get filled up as early as 10am, and a few meters further, a large hotel and small wooden restaurant selling very average food such as pizza and fries—that’s my personal opinion. The lake in itself is gorgeous and vast, but don’t expect to be the only person in sight!
Be also mindful that from mid-July to mid-September, the road to Lago di Braies is restricted from 10 am to 3 pm. If you arrive during the restricted time, you’ll have to park your car in a designated paid parking lot and hop on a shuttle bus to the lake (costs about 3€ per person). If you arrive outside of these hours, which we did, you’ll be able to park closer to the lake. Bear in mind, the parking fee is quite exorbitant: 25€ for an hour, so if you’re trying to save money, stay away from these commercial lots.
Green Wanderlust tip: You can swim in Lago Di Braies—we asked the owner of the boathouse for permission, and the only reason you never see photos of people in swimsuits enjoying the pristinely clear waters of the lake is simply that it is so darn cold!
If you happen to have more time on your hands while in Italy, I also strongly recommend visiting Cinque Terre, just a few hours away from the Dolomites. Cinque Terre is this incredible collection of towns hanging on the cliff-side, facing the Mediterranean sea. It's a dream come true for anyone who enjoy quaint, colorful Italian villages and who wants to spend a few, relaxed days by the sea. If you’d like to learn more or see photos of Cinque Terre, check out this article.
NOTE: All the photos in this article were edited with the presets from the Not Just Colour Folk Collection Pack available for sale here. Get -$5 OFF on your next purchase with code: FINDYOURTONE2020. Not Just Colour donates 5% of all its profit to the Environmental Justice Foundation.
Check out the before and after! This was edited with the Pines preset from the Folk Collection
BEFORE
AFTER
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Now get to planning your next adventure!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Levanzo and Favignana are less than half an hour by hydrofoil from Trapani, which makes them the easiest islands to visit in Sicily. Favignana is the largest of the three Egadi islands and its serrated coastline shelters incredible coves such as Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra. The island is also famous for its tuna, and you’ll find plenty of wonderful restaurants to give it a taste—I’ve recommended a few of my favorite just below!