Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee, is a world-famous Italian mountain lake. You don’t have to be an experienced landscape photographer to capture a beautiful photo here. The rugged mountains, numerous pine trees, and the emerald green water make this one of the most beautiful lakes we have ever seen. Lago di Braies is no longer a hidden gem and is visited by many hundreds of people every day. Therefore, we’ve listed a few important tips, so you can make the most of your visit to Lago di Braies!
What to Do at Lago di Braies?
There are a few things you definitely shouldn’t miss when you’re at Lago di Braies.
Witness the Sunrise at Lago di Braies
Chances are that you will only visit Lago di Braies once in your life, so you might as well do it right, right? Waking up early to witness the sunrise is highly recommended. You’ll see the first rays of sunlight shining on the mountain peaks, and the birds start chirping happily. The sun itself may not be visible as it is behind the mountains, but the orange glow on the mountain peaks has something magical. If the water is calm, Lago di Braies becomes a huge mirror in the early morning. This is because there are no boats creating waves and the sun has not yet started to shine on the water. It’s also beautiful to see the wooden boats floating in a perfect line on the lake in the morning. These are ideal conditions for capturing amazing photos, so don’t expect to be the only early bird. The real crowds start arriving around 9:00 a.m.
Tip: Lago di Braies is located at an altitude of 1496 meters (4911 feet), surrounded by mountain peaks. During the early morning hours, the sun is still behind the mountains, and it can be quite cold. Dress warmly if you’re going to watch the sunrise.
Row Across the Lake in a Traditional Rowboat
How fun would it be to step into one of those iconic wooden rowboats yourself? The boats are handmade and consist of nothing more than wooden planks and two oars. Half an hour in the boat costs $21, and $33 for an hour of floating on the water. In July and August, you can rent the boats starting from 8:30 a.m., and in May, June, September, and October, they are available from 10:00 a.m. The boats can be rented at the boathouse by the water, and dogs are allowed in the boats.
For avid photographers: For $170, you can have exclusive access to the wooden boathouse around 7:00 a.m. to take photos on the jetty and be the first to go out on the water with a boat. You need to book this in advance here.
Take a Walk Around Lago di Braies
If you want to admire Lago di Braies from every angle, take a stroll around the lake. This is a 3.6 km (2.2 miles) walk that takes about one and a half to two hours. Except for a few exceptions, the path is mostly flat, making it a very accessible walk.
Important rules to keep in mind
Due to the high number of visitors to Lago di Braies during the peak season, there are several rules in place to manage the crowds.
In the peak season
Between July 10th and September 10th, you are not allowed to drive to Lago di Braies without a pre-booked parking space during peak hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is to prevent massive traffic congestion when the parking lot is full. The road to Lago di Braies is closed about 6 km (3.7 miles) before reaching the lake, and you can only proceed with a reservation. We recommend reserving a parking space at least a week in advance to ensure access. If you arrive before 9:30 a.m., you can drive without a reservation and park your car in the paid parking area. If you arrived before 9:30 a.m. without a reservation, you can still leave between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You are not trapped at Lago di Braies because the road is only closed in the direction towards the lake.
You can also choose to walk or cycle if you have a bicycle with you. It is approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) from the closed road to Lago di Braies. It takes about an hour on foot and around 10 minutes by bike.
Tip: Before you go, it’s always a good idea to check the official website of Lago di Braies as the rules may change. If our information is no longer accurate, please let us know!
Rules outside the peak season
If you visit Lago di Braies before July 10th or after September 10th, the road is not closed, and you can drive to the parking area without a reservation. However, please note that it doesn’t guarantee that it won’t be crowded. If you go during the day, the nearest parking area may be full. Therefore, we recommend going early, even during the off-peak season.
