Braies

This beautiful alpine lake is often compared to the famous Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada and is an absolute must if you are in the Dolomites region.  Lago di Braies is the largest natural lake in the Dolomites and depending on the light, its crystal clear waters can be seen in shades of blue, green, turquoise, and emerald.Park at the designated parking lot (5-6 euro per car) and walk across th...

Pragser Wildsee, also known as Lago di Braies, lies in a mostly German-speaking area of northern Italy close to the border with Austria. This glacial blue lake is surrounded by towering mountains and thick evergreen forests, which can be experienced on the 2.2-mile loop trail or Alta Via 1 trail. A photogenic boathouse offers canoe rentals to enjoy the lake in the warmer months while winter off...

Starting at the Hotel Lago Di Braies, you have the option to loop around the lake to hiker's left or right. To the left is the local dock, while to the right is a chapel and barn. Either way, you will end up where you started no longer than an hour and a half later. Once you are done with the loop, you have several things to choose from. There are a couple places on the premises to grab some gr...

Only an hour and a half from Bolzano, or an hour from Cortina d'Ampezzo, (my home base while in the Dolomites), Lago Di Braies is a must do half day trip. This popular destination is known for it's beautiful blue water and towering surrounding peaks and it does not disappoint. Most only see the photos of people canoeing around the lake, but what's little known is that you can circumnavigate the...

The Alta Via 1 is the definite trail through the Italian Dolomites, showcasing some of the most scenic terrain in all of the Alps. It begins at Lago di Braies and ends in the town Belluno, covering 150 kilometers and over 26,000' of elevation gain.Unlike backpacking or fastpacking in the United States, camping is forbidden along the trail and in much of the national park. Instead through-hikers...

You start this easy hike from just before the toll road station on the road up from Misurina to Rifugio Auronzo. As you are looking towards the peaks and the trail starts on the right side of the road. The first part of the route takes you through some forest and across a couple of streams before it rises up slowly to above the tree line. Here you'll cross a more open field and traverse across ...

The famous Italy Dolomites are littered with numerous great hikes to showcase them, however, this trail is the cream of the crop. It will not disappoint. You have the option of hiking up to Rifugio Auronzo from Misurina, which is detailed out here. The other option that makes it easier if you're on a time crunch is to drive up to Rifugio Auronzo and park, where I've placed my GPS marker above. ...

This is a spectacular and majestic undertaking, completely different from hiking it in the summer. In the winter, you can hike or snowshoe and witness the amazing, expansive views of snowcapped mountain peaks. The contrast between the dark mountains and the pure white snow is breath-taking and absolutely awe-inspiring. The route you'll follow is the same as the summer route. Starting at Rifugi...

This beautiful lake and small town are tucked away in the Dolomite Mountains. It is the largest lake in Cadore, and also was the last outdoor location ever used for an Olympic speed skating event. There is ample parking alongside the lake along with a dock where you can set up your tripod. On a clear day you'll be able to see the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, though this area is just as pretty o...