If you’re planning a trip to the Dolomites, there’s one lake that absolutely has to be on your list - Lago di Carezza (also known as Karersee). In this complete guide, you’ll find absolutely everything you need to plan your visit.
We want to tell you a story.
A story of love, of deception, of sorrow and of loss; a story that could only have been born in a fairytale world such as the Dolomites.
It is said that many years ago, Lago di Carezza was home to a water nymph of great beauty, named Ondina, who caught the eye of a sorcerer. He was in love - but the feeling was not returned.
And so, he elicited the help of a witch who concocted a plan. The sorcerer was to take the form of a precious stones and jewellery seller and build a rainbow that went all the way from the Rosengarten to the Latemar. Surely the nymph could not resist coming to shore to take a look?
But alas, the plan did not work.
The rainbow did indeed attract the attention of Ondina, but the sorcerer made one fatal mistake - he forgot to wear his costume and was recognised immediately. Ondina dived deep into the lake and was never seen again.
In a fit of rage, the sorcerer smashed the rainbow, its kaleidoscopic stones falling into the the water below, fractured colours giving rise to Carezza's other name - Lec de ergobando, or “Rainbow Lake.”
Still to this day, the crystalline waters of Lago di Carezza are awash with the many-hued colours of an iris. And whether you believe this is due to mineral deposits beneath its shores, the reflections of the landscape that surrounds it or the old fairytale of South Tyrol's Ladin people, there is no denying that this lake is one of the finest beautyspots in the Dolomites.
. . .
Given Carezza’s easy access (it’s just by a road) and it’s popularity amongst photographers, it does see quite a lot of visitors each day. Therefore planning ahead, especially if you want to capture and enjoy it with fewer people, is necessary.
Which is where this guide comes in!
In this post you’ll find absolutely everything you need to know to plan your trip to Lago di Carezza (Karersee) including how to get there, the best time to visit, why it's so important to follow the rules, where to stay nearby, and some wonderful things to do when you get there.
. . .
A Definitive Guide to Lago di Carezza (Karersee)
. . .
When to Visit Lago di Carezza
Best Time of the Year
Whilst it's theoretically possible to visit Carezza at any time of the year (roads being open of course), we'd recommend at least waiting until the surface has cleared of snow, the lake has thawed out, and some of the glacier water from the mountains above has topped up the water levels.
That said however, given its popularity as a destination, in the months of July and August the lake gets inundated with tourists. So if you have the opportunity to pick when you can visit, we'd recommend visiting either side of the peak summer season (April-June or September-October).
We visited in early June and it was just marvellous; still a little snow on the peaks above, the water level was perfect and clear skies - all without too many people around!
Time of the day
As we've said in our Beginner’s Guide to The Dolomites post, we're utterly horrible at getting up for sunrise missions. However, during our eight days in the Dolomites, we managed it more times than not - including for our morning spent beside Lago di Carezza.
We arrived about 40 minutes before the sun came up (around 4.15 am), and besides a small French photography group, we had the lake all to ourselves. It's such a peaceful location that we can't imagine it being quite so magical with hordes of tourists around, so even if you're not too bothered about getting the perfect photo, if you want to experience Carezza at its absolute best, we'd still recommend getting up nice and early.
Alternatively, sunset is another great time to visit. There will naturally be more people around but the light is also excellent for around an hour before (and just after) the sun sets.
How to Get to Lago di Carezza
How you choose to get to the lake very much depends upon where you are staying in the Dolomites the night before, and what time you'd like to arrive.
Given its proximity to Bolzano (the biggest city in the South Tyrol region), public transport connections to the lake are surprisingly good, but many people - us included - opt for a car rental for the duration of their time in this part of north-east Italy.
Car
The Dolomites are made for a road trip, and so we honestly believe that this is the very best way to get around - especially if you're keen to explore areas super early before public transport really gets going. (Hint: you really want to take a look at our ‘Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary’ post next).
As we wanted to get to the lake super early, we chose accommodation in the small town of Vigo di Fassa based on budget and proximity. From there, it was an easy 20-minute journey to the lake.
If you're coming from Bolzano - a good base for exploring this part of the Dolomites - it's about a 40 minutes drive along SS241 all the way to the lake. You can find Lago di Carezza's location here on Google Maps.
Car Parking at Lago di Carezza
There is a large car park opposite the entrance to the lake. However, as we arrived at so early, we didn’t need to use any paid for parking; we simply pulled up in designated parking spot next to the entrance and remained there for free for the duration of our visit. We left by 6.30 am, but think you need to pay for these spaces too if arriving later in the morning.
If you plan on being at the lake for a significant period of time, or arrive once the visitors centre is open, we'd recommend using the large carpark. It is free for the first 15 minutes, then €1 per hour (although gets cheaper the longer you stay).
Taking the Public Bus to Lago di Carezza
As we mentioned above, public transport connections to the lake are surprisingly good. There No. 180 bus departs every 20 minutes from Bolzano bus station (Google Maps).
It takes around an hour to get there and costs €4.50 per person; there's a bus stop right at the edge of the lake. Note when planning your day that the first bus does not depart Bolzano until 8.37 am, and there may be reduced departures depending on season.
How to Visit Lago di Carezza Responsibly
The Dolomites have an issue with responsible tourism - or lack thereof - from a growing minority. And if this isn't the first blog post of ours that you've read, you'll be aware that that is something we take pretty seriously.
Unfortunately, Lago di Carezza is not immune to this problem, and it's specifically an Instagram issue.
Before we'd visited, we'd seen countless images in our feed of this beautiful lake. The water, the forest back drop and epic mountain ranges beyond. Oh, and the relative frequency of a girl sitting atop a photogenic rock at the water’s edge.
We had a sneaky suspicion that this was not something allowed by the authorities, a fact that was quickly confirmed by the new-looking wooden fence that prevents visitors from entering the lake - and the signs in not one, but three languages stating that you must not cross.
Clearly some people are ignoring the signs.
The entirety of the lake is a conservation area, and in order for it remain pristine for future generations to enjoy, it's so important to respect the rules and regulations. No number of instagram likes is worth the damage that will be caused by jumping over the barrier, entering the water, scrambling on to a rock, and sharing it. It is not something any of you should be doing or encouraging.
The same goes for swimming - no matter how hot it may be, or how tempting the water looks, just don't. And please, for the love of God, pick up your rubbish!
Also, drone pilots. Nobody likes you, especially those of us who get up early to enjoy bird song, stillness, and serenity.
The Fallen Trees
“An apocalypse: forests swept away, streets damaged, trellis bended like twigs.”
These were the words chosen by the head of Italy’s Civil Protection Agency, Angelo Borrelli, to describe the path of destruction left in the wake of one of the worst storms to ever have swept through the Dolomites; a night in 2018 when winds of more than 200 km/h razed 14 million trees at once.
The evidence of these severe storms is clear across the region, but is impossible to escape when looking upon the spectacular vista of Lago di Carezza, with vast sections of forest appearing to have simply been plucked out (it was upon visiting the lake that we eventually looked into the reasons why so many trees had been uprooted).
But this damage stretches far deeper than simply the superficial. In that night, entire ecosystems were destroyed, biodiversity lost and the chances of landslides and avalanches in the winter months greatly increased.
As Roberto Rigoni Stern, the mayor of Asiago, said “Not even the Great War 100 years ago brought so much devastation to our trees as the wind did a few days ago.”
Hikes in or near Lago di Carezza
There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of hikes in and around the Dolomites, all of varying distances and difficulties, including several that pass by, through or around this very special lake.
So, if you fancy stretching your legs and getting a lungful of fresh mountain air whilst still experiencing the beauty of Lago di Carezza, consider attempting one of the below hikes:
Loop Around Lago di Carezza
Distance | 1.1 km
Time | 20 minutes
Elevation gain | 31m
Effort | Easy
The most popular hike in or around Lago di Carezza is the loop of the lake, that takes you around the perimeter as well as through a section of pine forest. It's super easy - just follow the wide well marked path. There are a number of lookout points along the way, so although it's a short walk you may well find yourself taking a little longer than 20 minutes.
The Templeweg Trail
Distance | 9.5 km
Time | 3 hours
Elevation gain | 330m
Effort | Easy
An easy, family friendly hike, this trail takes you from Lago di Carezza, through Karerwald Forest and back to the starting point. To begin, head to the western end of the lake to the start of 'Trail No. 8' (or the Templeweg Trail). Follow this path you reach a meadow and then at the fork in the road, follow the signs for 'Trail No. 8A (B)', which lead to a small farm. After this, continue on 'Trail No. 27', towards Latemar Sawmill, then onto 'Trail No. 10A', which brings you back to the starting point of Lago di Carezza.
You can find a map for this route here.
Obereggen to Carezza (or vice-versa)
Distance | 7.5 km each way (15 km if you hike there and back)
Time | 2 hours each way
Elevation gain | 150m
Effort | Easy
Covering a section of the trail mentioned above, this achievable hike begins from the upper car park in Obereggen, from which you should follow signs for 'Trail No. 9' toward the Bewallerhof hotel. From here continue on 'Trail No.8' to the lake.
You can find a map for this route here.
Karerpass to Karersee, then onwards to Obereggen
Distance | 13.6 km
Time | 3.5 hours
Elevation gain | 270m
Effort | Moderate
A slightly more difficult hike for those craving a longer adventure, this hike begins at the Karerpass from which you follow 'Trail No.17' first, then '18A' and '18' via the Latemarwiesen meadows, before you eventually reach the Mitterlegeralm after around 1.5 hours. You then continue along 'Trail No.11' all the way to Carezza.
From the lake, you'll be following the same route as mentioned in the hike above, just in the opposite direction (that is 'Trail No.8', and then 'Trail No.9').
You can find a map for this route here.
Where to stay to visit Lago di Carezza
Where you choose to stay to visit Lago di Carezza will be very much decided by how you choose to explore the Dolomites. For example, during our road trip we opted for a mix of three-night bases interspersed by a few adhoc nights close to specific destinations - which determined where we spent the night before we visited this lake.
For those relying on public transport, basing yourself in Bolzano would likely make sense as this is the main departure point for all public buses towards touristic destinations in this part of the Dolomites. If this is your plan, we’d recommend heading over to our post ‘Where to Stay in Bolzano’ (published soon) for our pick of the best accommodation options there, including Airbnbs, hotels and guest houses.
For those with a car however, we’d generally recommend spending the night somewhere a little closer than Bolzano - especially if you’ll be trying to get to the lake for sunrise when a shorter drive (and therefore a little more time in bed!) may be preferable.
Note | We immediately excluded Airbnbs from this list that required a longer stay (that is five/seven nights) as those wanting to explore the Dolomites fully will need to move around more and therefore not base themselves purely in this area. Additionally, as is standard in all our guides, we only select Airbnbs with solid reviews that we would be happy to stay at too.
Carezza
There are number of accommodation options in the village of Carezza which, given its location less than a mile from the lake, would be a suitable base for both those travelling by car and those travelling by bus.
Sporthotel Alpenrose | At around €220 a night, this is the most expensive choice in this list, but the exceptional quality and amazing pool (both indoor and outdoor situation) made it worth a mention. Find our more here.
Gasthof Meierei | Really good value for money, super friendly staff, large bedrooms with balconies and mountain view and only 20 minutes from the lake - an excellent choice. Find out more or confirm availability here.
Charming home in Carezza (Airbnb) | A really fantastic one bedroom apartment which is surprisingly well-decorated compared to many in the area! Located within the Grand Hotel Carezza complex which allows guests access to all facilities. Find out more here.
Alps: an apartment in the Dolomites | Further proof that Carezza has a number of nicer Airbnbs, this central two bedroom apartment is super cosy, with fantastic views from the balcony. Parking included. Find out more here.
Nova Levante
A small town around 10 minutes from the lake, Nova Levante is an ideal place to stay.
Haus Herta B&B | One of the cheaper options (around €100 a night) but this still a really great B&B, with super modern rooms, bright and stylish communal areas and fantastic views. It also has exceptionally good reviews! Click here to find to check availability and find out more.
Stern B&B Hotel & Apartments | This place is just wonderful, with stunning contemporary design throughout, high-quality finishes, a spa, wellness area, Turkish bath and indoor pool for guest use. Exceptionally good value for around €150 a night. Click here to find to check availability and find out more.
Be sure to check out Gasthof Löwen, Hotel Rosengarten and Hotel Adler too.
All Airbnbs in Nova Levante required either a minimum of a five night stay, had no reviews or were - in our opinion at least - overpriced.
Obereggen
A mountain village (and the start point for a couple of hikes mentioned above), this is most popular with skiers during the winter months, but it’s relative proximity to Lago di Carezza - around 25 minutes - makes it’s a great place to spend a night or two.
We’d recommend taking a look at Gasthof Specker, a traditional - but modern - guest house, or Hotel Cristal which caters to a resort crowd who take design-led properties seriously.
Anna App. Latemar 10 (Airbnb) | A somewhat basic two bedroom apartment but clean, comfortable and with everything you’d need for a short stay. Starting at €80 a night, it’s also very well priced for the region. Find out more here.
Relax Waldhaus (Airbnb) | A really lovely family-sized apartment (three bedrooms) finished to a high standard a set amongst stunning countryside, and close to hiking trails. Find out more here.
Vigo di Fassa
This small town was actually where we stayed in order to arrive at Carezza nice and early. It’s quaint, only a 20-minute drive away and has a number of traditional restaurants. However, given its popularity as a ski resort destination, a significant number of the hotels cater more for the winter visitor, with access to spas, saunas and wellness rooms included in the price - great if you’re here for a week, but possibly not necessary if you’re only staying the night.
If the chance to relax seems appealing, we’d recommend Nature Wellness Hotel Renato or Hotel Garnì Carpe Diem, however if you’re just looking for a bed for the night, we’d recommend checking out:
Millenniumhotel | Small family run hotel that, at €80 per night for a double, is exceptionally good value for money. The rooms are clean tidy and comfortable (some have been recently renovated) and you get a good breakfast included in the price. Click here to find out more.
Garnì Ladin | Truly traditional, this small family run hotel in the centre of the town has an excellent restaurant attached, rooms with lots of homely additions and plenty of charm! Click here to find out more.
Anto House (Airbnb) | A large two bedroom apartment in a family home in the heart of Vigo. Includes private parking, a large balcony and all mod cons. Find out more here.
Chalet Ory (Airbnb) | Great value (from £72 per night for two people), two bedroom traditional chalet which is perfect for summer or winter stays. Fantastic views and all modern amenities. Find out more here.
Katia’s Apartment (Airbnb) | Clean and comfortable two bedroom apartment on outskirts of Vigo with free car parking and a lovely little garden. Find out more here.
