A Complete Guide for how to Visit Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) in the Italian Dolomites (2024)
Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. Its emerald waters, stunning mountain backdrop, and rich natural beauty have made it a favourite destination for travellers, hikers, and photographers alike. You’ve likely seen images of this picturesque spot all over Instagram, and you might be wondering: is it really worth a visit? This was something we weighed up and we very nearly didn’t for this reason. But we can tell you Lago di Braies is absolutely worth a visit – but only if you plan your trip well…
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know for a fantastic experience at Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee. From how to avoid the crowds and navigate the summer Lago di Braies parking headache, to the best time to visit, and hidden gems along the hiking trails.
Where is Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee?
Known in Italian as ‘Lago di Braies’, or ‘Pragser Wildsee’ in German, this beautiful lake is located in the northeastern Dolomites, near the Austrian border, within the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. A popular tourist spot, the lake is not as remote or inaccessible to reach as many may think. Here are some driving distances and times from nearby destinations:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: 46 km, 1 hour
- Selva di Val Gardena: 84 km, 2 hours
- Selva di Cadore: 74 km, 1.5 hours
- Venice: 205 km, 3 hours
This crystal-clear aquamarine lake marks the starting point for the famous Alta Via 1 hiking trail, that stretches 150km south to Belluno. Combined with its dramatic mountainous backdrop, easy walking trail, and rowboats, this oasis in the Dolomites attracts visitors from all over!
How to Get to Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee
The easiest and quickest way to reach this emerald lake is by car. However, depending when you plan to visit, there are some important restrictions you need to be aware of.
Visiting in high-season (often July to mid-September):
Between July 10 and September 10 (roughly), traffic restrictions are enforced to limit the number of vehicles entering the Pragser Tal Valley. During this time, you can only drive to the lake before 9am or after 4pm without a pre-booked slot. If you plan to arrive between these times, you will need to book a parking space in advance online. Everything you need to know, including when the Lago di Braies parking restrictions are in place, can be found on the official website.
If you’d rather not fuss with the parking, then you can also catch a local bus directly to Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee. Bus 442 is your best bet, which connects Lago di Braies with Toblach/Dobbiaco.
Visiting in low-season (often late-September to June):
During the low season, the parking restrictions are lifted, and you can arrive at the lake at any point in the day. That said, the shoulder seasons (September to June) can still be busy. Your best bet is to arrive pre-9am, or after 3pm when most people start to leave.
We arrived one Sunday in late-September not long after 9am, and it was somewhat busy. By the time we left about 11am, there was a big queue of people waiting to park in the car park!
Lago di Braies Parking
There are 3 main car parks at Lago di Braies, P4, P3 and P2, plus P1 about 5.5km away. A map of their locations can be found on the official Pragser Tal website.
P4 Parking
This is a large car park, located closest to the lake (less than 5 minutes walk). During peak season, a pre-booked reservation is needed to park here. It costs €38 and includes a meal voucher of €15, which can be redeemed at Emma’s Bistro on the lake.
Even in low season, as it’s the car park closest to the lake, it does fill up very quickly, but it is also the most expensive. All car parks are well sign-posted, so it’s easy to see which is which.
As of 2024, it costs:
€8 for 3 hours parking from 7am – 5pm
€5 for 3 hours parking from 5pm – 8pm
€3 total to park from 8pm – 7am
All vehicles can park here, including campers, which are charged €8 for 3 hours parking, or €25 for 24 hours parking. You may camp in the van overnight, but there are no camping facilities available, such as electricity or water points.
You can pay cash or card.
P3 Parking
This car park is right next to P4, with the entrance to P3 parking more or less a couple hundred meters down. Although slightly further from the lake (about a 5 minute walk), it is considerably cheaper than P4, meaning it does get full quickly. The car park costs €8 for all day parking. You can pay cash or card.
P2 Parking
This is located about 800 meters from the lake. It is a much smaller car park, but being further from the lake means there tends to be more availability if you’re arriving during busy periods.
From this Lago di Braies parking spot, it is a 10 minute walk to the lake. You have to walk down the main road to the lake and hotel, so be aware of passing traffic along the way. The car park costs €6 for all day parking. You can pay cash or card.
P1 Parking
This car park can be found at Brückele / Ponticello, about 5.5km away. This is likely your best option if you’re arriving during peak season and don’t want to queue at the P4 – P2 car parks.
From here, there is a shuttle service which runs directly to Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee.
When to Visit Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee?
In terms of the surrounding scenery, there’s really no bad time to visit this stunning lake. During the winter, the pine trees and mountains are blanketed in snow, turning it into a true winter wonderland. From November to March, you will have far fewer crowds than other times of the year and you may even have the lake all to yourself. However, be mindful that depending on the snow, access may be restricted.
In the spring, the lake is at its fullest, surrounded by wildflowers, and likely framed by snow-capped peaks from the winter. It’s a beautiful and picturesque time of year to visit. The lake will be a little busier, but still nothing compared to the height of the summer.
While the summer brings crowds, you also benefit from longer daylight hours and more sunshine. This offers more opportunities for enjoying a sunrise or sunset visit. Everything looks fresh and vibrant this time of year, perfect for photo opportunities.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit, as the trees and surrounding hills start to turn shades of gold and orange. You might also be lucky with some early snow on the mountains! Mid-September marks the end of the parking restrictions and the further into October you go, the quieter this area gets.
Overall, we would recommend visiting Pragser Wildsee during the shoulder seasons of May to June, and mid-September to late October.
The Best Time to Visit Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee
This very much depends on you and the type of experience you want. We suggest arriving at the lake for sunrise. You will likely be one of a handful of people at the lake, and you’ll find lots of quiet spots to enjoy the lake all to yourself. However, during the height of the summer, depending where you’re staying, this can be quite the early wake-up call, which we appreciate not everyone wants.
Generally, if you’re planning to visit during the summer months, arrive before 9am or after 4pm, once many of the day trippers start to leave.
How to Walk Around Lago di Braies?
The vast majority of people tend to stay around the boat house, or the chapel. While the start of the circuit loop can be busy, the further around the lake you go, the more people start to drop off and the trail becomes quieter.
The full trail is about 4km and takes roughly 1 – 1.5 hours to complete. We suggest following the route clockwise, offering stunning views of the area and looking back towards the boat house and hotel. The left side of the lake consists of steps and it’s one path all the way around, making it easy to follow. The elevation is minimal, but there are some steep sections, so the benefit of starting clockwise is that you’ll tackle the harder sections first.
Once you get to the opposite end of the lake to the hotel, the trail becomes much flatter. Here you’ll find some beautiful little beaches and peaceful spots to stop and take in the views. From this point of the circuit, you can start the hike higher up to Seekofel. This is a challenging hike, but you don’t have to do the full hike to enjoy the views. Even just a small hike up the scree from the lake will give you enough elevation to enjoy stunning views of the lake looking back towards the hotel.
As you make your way back to the car park, the trail undulates less and it’s a nice easy stroll back. There are lots of lovely viewpoints amongst the treeline here, so be sure to take your time.
What to do at Lago di Braies?
1. Walk around the lake
As mentioned above, the full circuit around the lake is well worth doing to fully appreciate Lago di Braies beauty. Although the loop only takes a maximum of 1.5 hours to complete, we suggest making most of the day here. Bring a picnic and find yourself a nice spot where you can relax and enjoy the views.
For a more unique perspective, you can rent a wooden rowboat. This is an idyllic way to experience the beauty of Lago di Braies from the water. The rowboats can be rented by the hour directly from the boathouse. Keep in mind they can sell out quickly, especially between 10 am and 3 pm during peak season.
3. Seekofel Hike
If you’re a hiking lover, the hike to Seekofel offers challenging but rewarding trails, with panoramic views all around you. This is not for the faint hearted though, as it involves steep inclines.
4. Grab a bite to eat
Extend your time at Lago di Braies and grab something to eat. Emma’s Bistro along the lake makes for a lovely rest stop. Or you can grab something from the cafe just outside the main entrance to the lake. Be aware the queues can be lengthy here, so plan your visit accordingly.
Is Lago di Braies Worth Visiting?
Well, if you’re after a day of solitude in the mountains then this is 100% not the place for you. If, however, you want to see one of the most beautiful views in Italy, then we rate this emerald lake with its impressive mountain backdrop pretty highly!
Get in Touch
Lago di Braies may well be a popular and busy spot. But its for good reason. It is the jewel in the Dolomites crown! We hope you found our guide for visiting Pragser Wildsee helpful. Please drop us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you! If you found our blog helpful, check out our Insta @welovetravel.in – if you give us a follow feel free to drop us a message and say hello 👋
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