Autumn is a very special season: partly because it includes September, the month of fresh starts and second chances, and partly because it is the season with the highest aesthetic value thanks to the colors that trees take on. Is there anything better than spending an autumn day at a beautiful alpine lake immersed in a natural reserve of breathtaking beauty?
Probably not. For this reason, we can only recommend visiting Lake Braies in autumn, and to support this, we’ve summarized three different reasons to do so.
Where Is Lake Braies and Why Is It So Famous?
First, a few words to help you understand what we’re talking about, in case you’re not familiar with Lake Braies..
The lake of Braies is a small alpine lake located in the valley of the same name, 97 kilometers from Bolzano, within the municipality of Braies. The lake is a small circular lake formed by the damming of the Braies stream, caused by a landslide that occurred overnight from the nearby Sasso del Signore.
There are several legends surrounding the area. Some speak of a treasure submerged beneath the lake’s shores,collected by wild men searching for stone and gold. According to legend, these wild men went to the mountains opposite the lake in search of riches. Being chased by local shepherds, they decided to hide their treasures inside the lake itself, and since then, nothing has been found.
Another legend involves the existence of a secret door beneath the lake.This door, if opened, leads to the last refuge of the Fanes, an ancient mythical Ladin people.
Less fascinating from a mythological point of view but far more pragmatic is the reason why the lake is popular. From 2011 to 2015, the lake was the setting for the popular Italian TV series “Un passo dal cielo” starring Terence Hill.The series itself, partly funded by special funds from Business Location Südtirol,was a success. This definitively put Braies in the spotlight.
We’ve already written some articles about Lake Braies, here if you want general information, and here if you want to know which hikes to take. If you still don’t know how to get there, read this article with all the directions.
Why Visit Lake Braies in Autumn?
Why, among all seasons, do we recommend visiting Lake Braies in autumn? What advantages does the autumn period bring?
We’ve tried to offer you five good reasons to visit this stunning part of Italy during the autumn months in the list below!
Less Crowds!
This, in our opinion, is one of the main reasons why visiting Lake Braies in autumn is a very smart move. The lake, thanks to the popularity boom we mentioned earlier, has become extremely popular. Its popularity has grown so much over the years that in summer it’s impossible to enjoy it in “peace and quiet.”.
Want a couple of examples? The parking lots at Lake Braies, if you arrive by car, must be booked in summer. If parking on site isn’t possible, you have to rely on public transport from Braies, Dobbiaco, and nearby areas, but due to the huge influx, these are always packed. The lake’s circular trail and surrounding paths are also very crowded in summer, which might not appeal to the more introverted.
Fewer crowds also make it easier to book a table or a room at the beautiful Hotel Lago di Braies. This famous hotel is right on the lake shore and is also known as Hotel Pragser Wildsee.
A Matter of Colors
Let’s be clear: it’s impossible to talk about a mountain lake in autumn without immediately thinking about the colors visible during this season.
Lake Braies is nestled in an alpine basin, and the forest surrounding the area is home to various tree species.The woods mainly consist of spruce, Cimbrian pine, Scots pine, and larch, while the undergrowth commonly features shrubs like rhododendron, bilberry, and lingonberry.
Climbing higher along the trails leading to the mountain huts and beyond, you might also encounter mountain pine.
Don’t forget flowers like the edelweiss, southern Grigna, Pyrenean ormine, Dolomite yarrow, globularia,and alpine savory, all species you might be lucky to spot here. For this reason, the autumn colors of Lake Braies are practically irresistible, with yellows and reds intertwining in ever-changing shades and patterns. Add to this the lake’s hues,
ranging from light green-blue to dark depending on weather conditions. All these colors can cause visual ecstasiesworthy of a visit to a prestigious museum for the untrained eye. The luckiest might also notice the colors and graceful shapes ofwild animals roaming the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park.
Among the higher mountain huts, you might find both the white hare and the ptarmigan. Near the forest, you could encounter foxes, stoats, roe deer, or birds of prey.
like the sparrowhawk or the goshawk. Rent a Rowboat and Cross the Lake Clearly, it would be a shame to visit Lake Braiesin autumn without taking advantage of the lower crowds for specific activities. In this case, thanks to fewer people,.
renting one of the rowboats
to cross the lake is highly recommended. Just a quick look on Instagram shows how popular the location and activity are in Italy when it comes to social networks. The boat ride lets you see the stunning nature and the lake itself Taking a boat trip on the lake is highly recommended. Just take a look on Instagram to see how the location and activity are among the most popular in Italy when it comes to social networks.
with the advantage of being surrounded (if not overwhelmed) by all the goodness nature has gathered in Trentino-Alto Adige.The rental cost for a rowboat is affordable for almost any budget. The.
deposit to rent a boat is €20, and from there you choose between two rates: €12 for half an hour on the boat or €20 for a full hour. Now you have enough reasons to convince your 20 € friends to come with you to Lake Braies in autumn. If no one wants to join you, don’t lose heart and sign up with Meeters to find new people to share great adventures in nature (and beyond). and on the other hand €20 for a whole hour.
Now you have enough reasons to convince your friends to come with you to Lake Braies in Autumn. If no one wants to join you, don’t lose heart and sign up for Meeters to find new people to share great adventures in nature (and beyond).