Imagine the perfect emerald color of the water, in which the misty spruce forests and snow-capped peaks of the Latemar mountain are perfectly reflected. Everything shines with the colors of a rainbow of light refracting in the water … a daydream of nature that materializes in the form of one of the most beautiful lakes in South Tyrol – Lago di Carezza.
This alpine lake is located in the upper part of Val d’Ega (also known as Karersee in German). Thanks to its location right next to the road, and thus extremely easy access, it is incredibly popular among tourists and photographers. Despite its location, however, it is possible to enjoy it peacefully and without the crowds. You just need to plan it thoughtfully.
So, take a look at the guide below on how to best plan a trip to the lake, how to get there, what time to visit will be the best, and how to experience this place to its fullest. Let’s start with the fact that this place has been inspiring legends about water nymphs and wizards for centuries …
The myth about the creation of the rainbow Lago di Carezza
South Tyrol is famous for its fascinating and magical myths and legends, which, following folk wisdom, explain the creation of the most beautiful places in the region for centuries.
Lago di Carezza also has its fairy tale story about a water nymph, a wizard, and of course – as it usually happens in legends – unrequited love. According to the Ladins, who have called South Tyrol home for thousands of years (and speak one of the world’s oldest modern languages!), The story goes like this:
There was once a beautiful but terribly shy water nymph who lived in the shimmering waters of Lago di Carezza and often sat on the lakeshore, braiding her hair and singing. One day the wizard Masaré was passing by the lake. He was enchanted by the singing and beauty of the nymph and fell head over heels in love with her. However, the timid nymph was unconvinced and immediately disappeared in the water, leaving Masaré alone on the shore. The wizard consulted the local witch, Langwerda, and together they devised to stretch a rainbow from the Latemar Mountains to the lake, dress Masaré as a jewelry dealer, and capture a nymph. Everything went wrong when the wizard forgot to put on his costume and was immediately recognized by the nymph, who once again disappeared into the depths of the lake. Desperate Masaré smashed the rainbow into millions of pieces, throwing them into the lake’s waters, where they shine with a brilliant glow to this day (hence the traditional Ladin name of Carezza – Lec de Ergobando, meaning “Rainbow Lake”).
A bit of a love tragedy, but at least we can now admire the rainbow view :)
The best time to visit Lago di Carezza
Like most places in the Dolomites and South Tyrol, Lake Carezza is very popular among tourists. Although it is theoretically possible to visit Carezza at any time of the year (assuming, of course, that the mountain access roads are open in winter), I would advise against visiting it in winter for a prosaic reason. In winter, in a frozen, snow-covered lake, you will not see this extraordinary reflection for which you come here. And it is worth seeing nature in its most beautiful form.
July and August, the peak season in the Dolomites, is associated with a massive number of tourists, so it will be difficult to find a moment of peace of mind here to be able to enjoy this place. So if you can, try to avoid the summer months as well.
In my opinion, by far the best times to visit Lago di Carezza are April-May and September-October when it is still warm enough, and tourists have either not started arriving yet or already left. I was here at the beginning of October, that is during the incredibly beautiful autumn in the Dolomites, which offers mountains shimmering with colors, and I can confidently say that the trip was magical.
The best time of the day to visit Lago di Carezza
In addition to the time of year, the time of day is also of key importance here. To make a comparison, I visited the lake both at sunrise and sunset. I believe that the sunrise is definitely better in terms of photography. Additionally, at this time of day, you have a better chance of being one of the few visitors (if not the only ones). Most people don’t get up at 5 am to see the lake
It is such an idyllic and quiet place that I cannot imagine enjoying it in crowds of people because it misses the point. So if you don’t care too much about taking the perfect photo, then to see Carezza at its best, it is really worth making an effort to get up at dawn.
Photographic tip: be here about 30-40 minutes before sunrise. If you are into sunsets, wait about 40-50 minutes after sunset for the so-called blue hour. A completely different visual experience!
How to get to Lago di Carezza
Lago di Carezza by car
Getting to Lago di Carezza is not difficult, and there are several ways to get there, although the most efficient one will be by car. If you are looking forward to seeing the lake during the sunrise, make sure you spend the night near the lake in advance, otherwise, you will spend the night on the road, and despite the fantastic view, it makes no sense.
Parking at Lago di Carezza
There is huge parking near the lake, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a parking space. Parking is free for the first 15 minutes and then costs 1 euro for each hour started.
Note: There is no payment terminal at the exit gate! To pay for the ticket, you need go to the payment machine located in the restaurant.
Lago di Carezza by bus
South Tyrol has an excellent public transport network, so Lago di Carezza can be reached by bus.
Just take the bus 180.1 from Bolzano to Pera di Fassa (via Nova Levante and Carezza), and you will be there in approximately 40 minutes. It is definitely a good option during the day rather than at night.
Check the bus timetable or download the Südtirol2go app, which provides up-to-date information on public transport in the region, timetables and prices.
A walk to and around Lago di Carezza
There is a walking route around the lake that leads through the beautiful spruce forest surrounding the lake. The walk takes about 20 minutes. It is wide and fairly flat, with several viewpoints from which you can admire the lake from different angles. There are several places where you can sit and admire the views and soak up the beauty of the surrounding nature. If you want to get to know this place even more, you can choose one of several longer, wonderful hiking trails:
Templewg to Obereggen trail
- Distance: 13,3 km
- Time: 3,5–4h
- Elevation: 169 m
- Starting point: Obereggen upper parking lot
- End point: Lago di Carezza (can also be the other way around)
This trail (No. 8) takes you from Obereggen (you can also choose the trail from Ega) through the Karerwald spruce forests (Las Karer) to the lake, with a possible stop at the Stadlalm farm for a meal.
Lago di Carezza from Nova Levante trail
- Distance: 3,5 km
- Time: 1–1,5h
- Elevation: 350 m
- Starting point: lumber mill Latemar (Nova Levante)
- End point: same as starting point
The trail leads from Nova Levante, the closest village to Lago Di Carezza, along a small river and through forest landscapes to the lake. Only at the beginning, it is a bit steep. The rest of the trail is relatively flat. It is excellent for a family or those looking to go hiking but not an epic adventure. After reaching the lake, you just need to go back the same way.
Where to stay near Lago di Carezza
During my stay in South Tyrol, my route formed a loop covering the entire region. I started and ended my trip in the Lago di Carezza area. In the beginning and at the end I stayed in two different hotels – both tremendous and fantastically located.
The first hotel was situated on a sunny plateau between lush meadows and dense forests of Naturhotel Pfösl. A place inspired by the surrounding nature with a modern and minimalist design based on natural materials. Every aspect of the hotel has been thought out with sustainability – from heating to water purification and even decorations. Pfösl, with its absolutely fantastic spa and an excellent restaurant with a tasting menu, is a place that you can consider in the context of a few days of vacation because it’s just a shame to only spend the night there between sightseeing. It is an excellent base for combining luxurious relaxation with active exploring of the area. For me, it hit the bull’s eye in the Dolomites!
The last hotel was Charmehotel Friedrich – a 3-star small hotel with a view of the Dolomites. Very simple and nicely decorated, but with a beautiful, cozy spa (surprising for a 3-star hotel) with a heated outdoor pool overlooking the mountains. Just for a morning in this pool with a stunning view – it’s worth it. It is also a great starting point for exploring the area, especially Lake Carezza because it is only 15 minutes by car from the hotel.
The material was created in collaboration with South Tyrol Tourism Organization