Lago di Braies (Lake Braies) Hike

Nestled in the heart of the majestic Dolomites in Braies, Italy, lies Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), a breathtaking alpine lake that visitors should not miss if visiting the Alps. Often hailed as the "Pearl of the Dolomites", this ultra-popular destination captivates visitors with its vibrant turquoise waters reflecting the sheer, towering alpine peaks that encircle it. While the iconic, pristine waters and the famous row boat rentals make the north shore a magnet for photographers, Instagrammers, and wedding parties, hiking the full loop trail offers a chance to escape the main crowds and immerse yourself in one of the most breathtaking views in all of the Alps.

Discover the magic of this relatively moderate, yet incredibly rewarding, 3.73 km (2.3 mile) loop trail. Whether you're seeking the perfect scenic photo op, a peaceful moment by the water, or just a taste of the unparalleled natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, the Lago di Braies trail delivers an unforgettable experience. Lace up your boots and prepare to explore the lake that truly defines alpine paradise.

Lago di Braies Trail Guide: Dolomites' Turquoise Jewel

This hike begins next to Hotel Lago di Braies where visitors will find a crowded public trail that leads directly to the north shore of the lake. This trail guide leads you clockwise around the lake, so you'll first start by hiking alongside the hotel before heading east to follow the trail.

Lago di Braies North Shore Views

Once you're on the official Lago di Braies Trail, it leads east along one of the most scenic parts of the walk—the north shore. After passing the row boat rental dock, you'll find a raised trail that runs along the top of Lago di Braies' turquoise waters with views of towering alpine mountains in the background. Here, visitors will find some of the best views of Lake Braies. If you do not plan to hike the entire loop trail around the lake, this part of the trail should not be skipped.

Lake Braies' Northern Inlet

After exploring the breathtaking north shore views of Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee), the trail leads further north to loop around a small inlet. From this inlet, you'll find similar south-facing views of the alpine peaks of the Dolomites that tower over Lago di Braies, but with more shallow water. Due to the shallow inlet, the turquoise hues of the lake stand out, even on a cloudy day. On our hike, we found at least one bride and groom taking wedding photos from the northern inlet, so you know this part of the trail is another must-see location along Lago di Braies.

Hiking the East Side of Lake Braies' Loop Trail - 0.45 to 1.9 km

Once you cross to the far side of the northern inlet, after crossing the footbridge, you'll officially be on the east side of Lago di Braies. The views from the eastern side of the loop trail offer some of the best views in all of the Alps and within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites. The east side of the trail is also, by far, the most quiet. Most visitors to Lago di Braies skip the entire loop hike and instead stick to the north and west shores, so the east side of the loop trail is well-worth the hike.

Views along the eastern side of the lake include a multitude of viewpoints of Lago di Braies, its turquoise waters and towering alpine peaks, Hotel Lago di Braies, and the rowboat rental dock. Hikers should be aware that the eastern side of the loop trail also features a steep uphill climb along a series of stairs with a fence that clings on to the sheer cliffs that sit high above the lake's water. The staircase section, between 1 km and 1.4 km can become crowded due to the narrow space provided to hikers. When it gets a little too crowded, simply stop to enjoy the breathtaking views while you wait for hikers to pass.

Our favorite locations for photos along the eastern shoreline of Lago di Braies where near the following kilometer markers: 0.7, 0.95, 1.1, and 1.6 km. With that said, no matter where you stop along the trail, you'll likely find a breathtaking view of this famous lake.

Lago di Braies' South Shore & Alpine Views - 1.9 to 2.4 km

Once you reach 1.9 km from the trailhead, you'll find yourself on the south shore of Lake Braies. Here, the views are still beautiful, but the dramatic backdrop of the Italian Alps are less stunning than along the north, east, or western shores. As you hike the south shore of Lago di Braies, you'll find easy access to the water's edge — perfect for taking a dip on a hot day — along with two sections of rock cairns that visitors have built up over the years. The rock cairn areas are found near 2.08 km and 2.4 km respectively. The rock cairn areas are a fun place to take a break, build small stacks of rocks, or take photos of the hundreds of cairns that litter the the trail side. Located near 2.4km is yet another fun place to take photos of Lago di Braies and its turquoise waters before continuing onward along the western side of the loop trail.

Lago di Braies' Western Shore & Lake Views - 2.4 to 3.4 km

The western side of the loop trail, which feature the last breathtaking Alps views of Lago di Braies, leads from ~2.4 to 3.4km. Hikers will leave the rock cairn area, near 2.4 km, where the trail leads back uphill and through an evergreen forest as it runs along the western side of the lake. Just before the trail reaches the forest, you'll find a stunning viewpoint of Lake Braies from just uphill, which is a great place to take more photos of the towering alpine mountains of the Dolomites as they stand tall over the turquoise waters of the lake. Passing kilometer marker 2.7, the trail leads through the forest with little-to-no views until you reach an off-trail scramble down to a viewpoint near the 3 km marker. Finally, the trail leads along the northwest shore of the lake, with the last breathtaking Alps views near 3.35 km where the trail runs along the edge of the water before heading back toward Hotel Lago di Braies and the parking lot. Be sure to stop here for some of the last views of Lake Braies on your hike.

Cappella Lago di Braies (Lake Braies Chapel) - 3.45 km

One of the last scenic points-of-interest along the hike is the Cappella Lago di Braies (Lake Braies Chapel), which can be found on the northwest side of the lake near the 3.45km marker. This small, stone chapel is a scenic spot to take photos of the quaint church, especially during autumn when the surrounding trees turn a vibrant orange.

Wrapping up the Hike - 3.73 km

After passing the Lake Braies Chapel, the trail leads to the back of Hotel Lago di Braies where it reaches the main trailhead at the end of Via San Vito. Along the way are several restaurants where you can stop to grab a bite to eat or an espresso to refuel. The hike along Lago di Braies ends at 3.73 km where you'll walk down Via San Vito to reach the parking lot.

Getting to Lago di Braies: Parking, Transportation Tips, & Fees

Visitors to Lago di Braies will find the best way to reach the lake is either by driving or taking a tour bus. On our Alps road trip, we drove directly to Lake Braies from Ortisei, which was a 2-hour one-way day trip. Visitors will find massive parking lots near the end of Via San Vito near the lake. To park, you must pay the 15 Euro entrance fee, as of September 2025.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on the Lago di Braies Loop Trail only if leashed and they must be cleaned up after.

Explore More Stunning Lakes in the Dolomites

No trip to the Italian Alps is complete without touring the region's most spectacular turquoise-hued lakes! While each location offers a unique view of the limestone peaks, they are often just a short drive apart. Enhance your Dolomites adventure itinerary by exploring our complete guides to the best nearby alpine lakes: the scenic Lago di Dobbiaco, the roadside gem of Lago di Landro, the majestic Lago di Misurina, and the serene Lago d'Antorno.