The 7 most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites and their legends

The most beautiful mountain photos feature a lake with a peak reflected in it. most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites fully respect this rule.

In the Northeast of Italy, where the Mediterranean, Germanic and Ladin worlds merge and crystallize into a collection of sharp stone giants animated by timeless legends, a string of lakes is worth the detour. Summer and winter alike, they fascinate us with their absolute calm and their silence broken only by the passage of an animal in the forest or a bird in the sky. The mountains, like citadels of pale rock, glow willingly at sunset, projecting a spectrum of colors onto the surface of the lakes. This then resembles a painter's palette ready to paint a marvelous landscape, that of the dolomites.

Let's take a loop to discover the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites with Italian and German names when they are located in the bilingual South Tyrol.

Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee)

The most famous of the Dolomite lakes

Le Lake Braies/ Pragser Wildsee is undoubtedly one of the most famous lakes in the Dolomites. And for good reason, this lake in the Puster Valley is certainly one of the most fascinating. An emerald lake, nestled at the foot of the Croda del Becco / Seekofel, surrounded by forests, where the morning silence is only disturbed by the distant cry of jays. At an altitude of 1496 meters, It is surrounded by imposing peaks that reach 2800 meters above sea level. In the heart of summer, boats glide on clear water, reflecting the mountain plumes and the heat of the sun of the South Tyrol. On winter mornings, the blanket of snow covering the frozen lake transforms the place into a frozen, mineral, hypnotizing enclave. In autumn, the site becomes flamboyant thanks to the presence of larches in the thick forest that covers its steep banks. At sunset, the western walls of the Croda are adorned with pink flames before plunging the valley into a motionless shadow. A small chapel marks the beginning of the walk that runs along its western bank before entering the heart of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, a land of impressive mountains but also of extraordinary legends.

The legend of Lake Braies

Le Lake of Braies is closely linked to the legend of the Kingdom of the Fanes. It is said that the ancient kings of the Fanes people, fleeing invaders, took refuge under the waters of the lake, taking their fabulous treasure with them to hide it forever. On nights of the full moon, the Queen of the Fanes, accompanied by the magic of Lujanta, is said to silently cross the surface, guiding her people into the depths of the lake.

How to get there

By car : From Villabassa/Niederdorf, follow the road to Lake Braies (Pragser Tal). Paid parking is required 200 m from the lake; reservations are required in July and August. In high season car access is not recommended, especially since the bus connections are very well organized.
Public transport:
- From Brunico/Bruneck or Dobbiaco/Toblach, regional train line to Villabassa/Niederdorf station.
- Then, buses 443 and 439 (in correspondence) to the terminus “Lago di Braies”. Timetable on the Südtirol Mobil website)

The most beautiful lake in the Dolomites

Lago di Dobbiaco (Toblacher See)

The pearl of the Puster Valley

You can get there on foot from the village of dobbiaco, pearl of the high Puster Valley crossing a peaceful forest that plunges beneath the impressive towers of the Dolomites. Arriving on the northern shore of the lake, at an altitude of 1259 meters, is a passage out of time. A small waterfall enlivens the extremely peaceful place where only a few ducks allow themselves to wade in the calm waters. To the left, an old building with architecture from another time shines with its light color, framed by thick forests. Like a magical gateway in the heart of the Dolomites, the surface of the water reflects the surrounding peaks which dominate the Val di Landro in the direction of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Set among larch and spruce forests, the Lake Dobbiaco stretches its turquoise hues against the Dolomites. The perfect photo. In summer, the lake becomes a haven for swans and walkers, who follow the shoreline on a designated path. Winter spreads a serene whiteness, broken only by the passage of a fox, the flight of a crow, cross-country skiers crossing the lake, and curlers practicing their favorite sport on the frozen surface.

Near the lake, after a few minutes of walking into the forest, you come across cemeteries from the First World War, when Italian soldiers fought against Austro-Hungarian soldiers. Striking.

The sad legend of Lake Dobbiaco

It is said that Princess Isabella, betrothed to a foreign nobleman, found an outlet for her sorrow in the lake. She let herself sink to join the spirits of the place, who transformed her into a mermaid so that she could find the freedom she sought. Since then, she sometimes sings on moonlit nights to guide lonely hearts to peace.

How to get there

By foot or by bike: a nice, easy and rather flat 4 km walk from the village centre.
By car : Located 4 km south of Dobbiaco on the SS51. Public parking on the lakeside (Piazzale Toblacher See).
Public transport:
- Train to Dobbiaco (Toblach) Then:
- Bus 445 direction Cortina, stop “Lago di Dobbiaco” (5 min, frequent departures, schedules HERE]. ).

Walks around Dobbiaco — Lake Dobbiaco – Toblachersee

Lake Landro (Dürrensee)

A little-known lake that deserves a stop

On this same road which dobbiaco leads to Cortina d'Ampezzo, the next lake is Lake Landro/Dürrensee, about ten kilometers further on. A beautiful walk in perspective. Lake Landro/Dürrensee appears like a discreet dream at the very bottom of the Höhlenstein valley, dominated to the south by the sparkling Cristallo massif (3221 meters above sea level) and in the immediate vicinity of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) iconic peaks of the Dolomites. Here, in this peaceful landscape, located at an altitude of 1400 meters, nothing suggests the violence of the fighting during the First World War. In summer, the jade reflections of the lake interact with the peaks; in autumn, the light carves the contours of the mountains, offering powerful and solitary panoramas. In winter, cross-country skiers on the Dobbiaco-Cortina marathon know that they are not far from the highest point of the track, Cimabanche at 4 km and 1529m; then there will be about fifteen kilometers of descent to the pearl of the Dolomites.

Less known than the other lakes in this article, the Lake Landro/Dürrensee is a true marvel that deserves a stop.

The Ghosts of Lake Landro
The site, marked by the Austro-Hungarian and Italian presence during the Great War, is more steeped in history than in myth. But locals say that the wandering souls of soldiers sometimes continue to wander along the shore during the long, cold nights.

How to get there

By car : On the SS51 between Dobbiaco and Cortina d'Ampezzo, free parking in the immediate vicinity.
Public transport:
- From Dobbiaco or Cortina: bus 445 (Dobbiaco-Cortina), stop on the shores of the lake.

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites — Lake Landro

Misurina lake

The mirror of the Dolomites

Shortly after Lake Landro/Dürrensee, a mountain road plunges into the wilderness, swallowing up the three hundred meters of altitude difference that leads to the Lake Misurina at 1754 meters altitude.

Le Lago di Misurina, Veneto, reveals a magnificent setting: its natural mirror captures the image of the group of Cadini (2839m), from Sorapiss (3200m) and Three peaks of Lavaredo (2999m) views in perspective. In summer, boaters and families enjoy a welcome coolness, while the evening light sets the silhouette of Sorapiss ablaze. When the snow arrives, the lake transforms into a fantastic scene, perfect for snowshoeing and daydreaming. Everything freezes for several months, and the imposing buildings, former hotels, facing each other on both banks of the lake recall the atmosphere of the film "The Shining." Shivers down the spine, and not just because of the biting cold, which often reaches -20 degrees in the heart of winter. A chairlift allows you to gain a little height to contemplate the lake, or continue towards the Col de Varda, at the foot of the Cadini.

The legend of Lake Misurina which explains the entire geography of the site

The most famous one tells of the capricious Misurina, daughter of King Sorapiss, governor of the Dolomites. Growing up without her mother, her father did everything to make her happy. Very spoiled, nothing stopped Misurina. For her eighth birthday, she wanted a special gift: the mirror of the fairy who lived in the Mount Cristallo. With this magic mirror one could read the thoughts of those who looked in it. The danger of possessing such an object was so great, that the fairy tried to dissuade the girl by offering her a deal that she thought Misurina would refuse: to obtain the mirror she had to agree to transform her father into a mountain. Contrary to all expectations, the girl accepted. The father, King Sorapiss began to transform into a mountain, the enormous Mount SorapissMisurina realized she was on top of the mountain and gaining altitude. Dizzy, she fell and died. The King, still partly human, wept so much that his tears formed Lake Misurina. The reflections on the lake are formed by the fragments of the mirror that, as it fell, shattered into a thousand pieces. Thus, Lake Misurina was born.

How to get there

By car : From Cortina d'Ampezzo, SS48 then SP49 (15 km, approx. 25 min). Paid parking adjacent to the lake.
Public transport:
- From Cortina d'Ampezzo (bus station), bus Dolomiti Bus line 51, stop “Misurina Genzianella” (schedules HERE]. )

Discover the heart of the Dolomites in Misurina — Lake Misurina in winter

Lake Antorno

A very wild lake at the foot of the highest peaks of the Dolomites

More intimate, often overlooked in favor of Misurina, Lago d'Antorno is nevertheless the discreet gateway to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo/Drei Zinnen. Its banks, carpeted with wild grass and cotton grass, offer, in summer, the unforgettable view of the Tre Cime, the Cadini group and the first silver firs. In autumn, the colorful ballet of the larches is reflected in the dark water while the winter snow brings a silence close to the sacred. This lake is located 2 km from Lake Misurina at an altitude of 1866 meters. At the heart of an extraordinary Dolomite landscape, summer and winter, it is, in summer, the starting point of the path that leads in 5 km to the 2320 m of the Auronzo Refuge, at the foot of the iconic Tre Cime. The unforgettable experience? Sit by the lake in the evening and watch the sunset color the sharp walls of the Cadini (2839m).

There's no great story here, but local belief has it that these wetlands are home to small magical beings, mischievous sprites and wood-dwellers, visible - if you really believe in the mysteries of the Dolomites - at dawn.

How to get there

By car : 2 km north of Lago di Misurina, Tre Cime pass road. Adjoining free parking.
Public transport:
- From Cortina d'Ampezzo (bus station), bus Dolomiti Bus line 51, stop “Misurina Genzianella” (schedules HERE]. )
- Summer shuttle “Tre Cime Shuttle” from Misurina, immediate stop in front of the lake (times on Three Peaks Info).

Lake Carezza (Karersee): The colors of the rainbow under the Latemar

The most beautiful legend of the Dolomites about a lake

Let's leave the Dolomites of Fanes, Sesto or Cadore to go further south to the border between the Val di Fassa and South Tyrol. A little below the Costalunga Pass (Karerpass), we find, on the Val d'Ega (Eggental), Lake Carezza (Karersee). Nestled at an altitude of 1520 meters, beneath the jagged peaks of the Latemar, the Carezza lake fascinates with its unreal hues: emerald green sometimes gives way to electric blue depending on the light.

In summer, the reflections are hauntingly clear; in autumn, the entire forest ignites, flaming the surface with gold and copper. In winter, the lake becomes more discreet, in the shadow of the Latemar ridges and it is rather towards the Catinaccio/Rosengarten that we will admire the Enrosadira, that is to say the red glow of the massif at sunset. The reflection of the chain of Latemar on the surface of the lake is a delight for photographers who patiently wait for the right angle of light to take the perfect shot.

The poetic and colorful legend of Lake Carezza

In the heart of the Ladin region, a love story is the origin of the legend of Lake Carezza. It tells of the clumsy passion of a sorcerer in love with the nymph Ondina. He fell hopelessly in love with the nymph, like most travelers crossing the Costalunga Pass who were captivated by her beauty and melodious singing. The sorcerer tried to use all his powers to bewitch the beautiful nymph, but he never succeeded. He sought advice from the witch Langweda, who suggested he disguise himself as a jewelry seller and spread a rainbow between the Catinaccio/Rosengarten and the Latemar.

This is what he did: a Rainbow magnificently colored with precious stones. Ondina came out of the water and was fascinated. She was looking at this marvel in the sky when suddenly she saw the sorcerer at the edge of the lake. Panicked, she immersed herself in the water and never came out again. The sorcerer had forgotten to disguise himself as a jewel merchant; Ondina had recognized him! Desperate and filled with sadness, he tore out the rainbow, destroyed it into a thousand pieces, and threw it into the lake. This explains why the surface of the lake is iridescent and shines with a thousand colors even today. In the Ladin language, this lake is called "Lec de Ergobando", the rainbow lake…

How to get there

By car : From Bolzano, head towards Val d'Ega / Carezza (25 km), paying parking is a 5-minute walk from the water. From Val di Fassa, cross the Passo di Costalunga from Vigo di Fassa (14 km).
Public transport:
- Bus 180 (SAD) from Bolzano (Autostazione bus station) direction Nova Levante – stop “Lago di Carezza – Karersee” (schedules HERE]. ).
- Departures every 30-60 minutes in season.

Lakes and legends of the Dolomites — Lake Carezza at the foot of Latemar

Lake of Fedaia

The lake at the foot of the giant of the Dolomites

It is not the most beautiful of the Dolomite lakes, but it is remarkable for two reasons. It is the highest of the lakes accessible by road, at 2053 meters above sea level, at the homonymous pass, but above all, it is located at the foot of the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites at 3343 meters above sea level, covered by the last glacier in this part of the Alps. For this reason, and because it is located at the crossroads on the route that passes through the most beautiful passes in the Dolomites, the Lake Fedaia worth the visit.

Overlooking the Val di Fassa, Lago di Fedaia extends to the border of Trentino and Veneto. The larger of the two lakes that make up the entire Lake Fedaia is located on the west side. It is a reservoir. In summer, the light bounces between the water and the eternal snows of the Marmolada, “Queen of the Dolomites,” while the meadows come alive with cows and alpine flowers. Winter tightens the silence around the lake, shrouded in a mixture of snow and mist. It is the climb to the Marmolada that is the main attraction of the lake. The Queen of the Dolomites, at 3 m, rises just behind the dam. On its slopes, partly freed by the inexorable melting of the glaciers, we find the remains of the “Ice City" dug in 1916-17 by Austro-Hungarian troops, a maze of tunnels built within the glacier to provide shelter or maneuvers in this border area. A small Museum of the Great War is located at the Fedaia Pass (2 m), gathering helmets, shells and soldiers' objects, and is an ideal starting point for reaching the glacier. You can take the cable car Malga Ciapela→Serauta (053 m) then Punta Rocca (2 m) for 950° panoramas of the Dolomites or opt for the via ferrata/ascent from Fedaia (+3 m, 265–360 h, initiation possible). Finally, more simply, the walk around the lake (≈1 km) offers an easy path at 300 m, perfect for contemplating the valley, the glacier and the surrounding peaks of the Dolomites, especially at sunset when the Enrosadìra sets the landscape ablaze.

Legends about Marmolada

Lake Fedaia, too modern, has not had time to enter local legends. However, at the foot of the glacier, on the banks of the small natural lake, the Dragon of Lake Coldai (which is located at the foot of Mount Civetta), often came to rest during its journey above the Agordine valleys, named after the region east of the Marmolada.

On the other hand, there are two beautiful legends about the MarmoladaThe first explains the ice cap. It is said to be due to a very old farmer's wife, who lived on the slopes of the mountain and who had the very bad idea of gathering hay on August 5, the feast day of the Madonna of the Snows, despite the warnings of the village population. The poor lady was buried by heavy snowfalls that only ended when the snow turned to ice. The poor old lady is still believed to be under eternal snow.

Another legend tells the story of Ombretta who gave her name to the Ombretta peak, at 3230 meters. It is a legend that concerns the southern slope of the Marmolada, that of Val Pettorina. Ombretta, princess of the mythical kingdom of Re Ombro hidden behind a gigantic bronze gate in the Serrai di Sottoguda, is transformed into stone by the wicked and jealous stepmother. In fact, the beautiful princess was proposed to by a handsome prince instead of her stepmother's daughters. Years later, a shepherd hears her melancholic voice rising from the cliffs of the Marmolada, singing that she is "still stone, abandoned girl," while her silhouette can still be seen carved in the rock. It is said that the key to the great gate still hangs in the church of Sottoguda.

How to get there

By car : From Canazei (Val di Fassa, 15 km). Parking along the dam, easy access on the open summer road (closed in heavy snow).
Public transport:
- In summer, Bus 54 DolomitiBus – “Pian di Fedaia” stop (schedules HERE]. ) from Caprile, in Veneto. And Bus 131 from Canazei and Val di Fassa, up to Fedaia