Lago di Carezza – Karersee Loop Trail, Dolomites, Italy

Lago di Carezza, also called Karersee in German, is a beautiful alpine lake in the Dolomites. Located close to the Latemar group, the lake is one of the most scenic and accessible locations in this area of the Dolomites.

Sunrise at Lago di Carezza

The lake’s highlights are its emerald green waters and the reflection of the Latemar group mountains in its still waters—waters that come from the Latemar group itself, as the lake is fed by a subterranean spring.

The main viewpoint is right by the main road, but a nice loop trail circles the lake and can be completed in about 20/30 minutes.

The mountains of the Latemar group tower above Karersee.

The Lago di Carezza is one of the nicest lakes in the Dolomites, so absolutely worth a stop even if just to catch the view from the main viewpoint.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Lago di Carezza Loop Trail & Map

This is a short loop around the Carezza lake, which can be completed in a little over 30 minutes. The main viewpoint is also at the beginning of the trail, so you can also easily do it as a quick photo stop, should you want to.

The Lake can be visited year-round, though in winter it will be frozen over. As it is a spring-fed lake, you’ll find the most water in late spring and the least in autumn.

Also, this can be done as a quick stop, so it makes sense to combine it with some other location in the area. I personally visited the Torri del Vajolet from Val di Fassa.

Here is the map of this short hike:

How to get to Lago di Carezza and Parking

Getting to Lago di Carezza is quite easy, as the lake is located along state road 241 (SS421), which connects Bolzano to Val di Fassa. So this makes the Lago di Carezza an ideal first (or last) stop if you are planning to visit that area of the Dolomites too.

• Driving Directions: On the A22 Brenner Motorway, take the Bolzano Nord (Bozen) exit. This is the same whether you are coming from the North or the South. From the exit, follow road SS241 south until you reach the lake. The drive from the highway to the lake takes about half an hour.
• Parking: There are three parking areas around the lake. Paid parking is available right in front of the lake. Two euros for an hour. Quite convenient for campers as there is a dedicated area for motorhomes, but it costs 18 euros for up to 12 hours. Not cheap, but this is the easiest option to catch the sunrise at the lake. There is a second parking area where you can spend the night, Parking Paolina, a 10-minute walk from the lake. Cheaper, about 10 euros from 7pm to 7am only. The other option is free parking here – overnight stays are not allowed there. Here you can check for any updates.
• Public Transport: A bus stop is right in front of the lake, so that’s quite convenient. Bus 180 stops here, and you can catch it directly at the Bolzano Train station. More info on suedtirolmobil.info

Part of the trail around the lake.

The Lago di Carezza Loop Trail

From the parking area and visitors center it’s best to take the underpass rather than crossing the road. On the other side, you’ll have the option to get to the main observation deck above the lake, on your left-hand side.

The observation deck along the trail.

It’s a wood deck that serves as the main viewpoint on the side of the lake. From there, you can continue the trail either way.

The most common direction of travel from the deck is counterclockwise and you pass by the other main viewpoint right in front of the Latemar group. This is also where you get some of the best views of the emerald, crystal-clear waters of the lake.

The trail is mostly flat and well-maintained, with views opening up here and there on the opposite side of the lake. It won’t take long to complete the loop, and it’s a nice alternative to the rather crowded viewpoint during the day.

There are also nice viewpoints on each side of the lake, although the main viewpoint opposite the Latemar group is arguable the most scenic one.

The trail – and the lake – are entirely fenced, to protect the delicate environment of the lake and its shores, so it is forbidden to step beyond those fences.

One last tip; If you are spending the night in the campers’ area of the paid parking, it is also worth visiting the lake at night. What’s a busy location during the day, transforms into an absolutely quiet and peaceful spot. On windless nights everything is so quiet it’s almost as if being in a painting, especially if the skies are clear and the moon is out.

Lago di Carezza at night.

Lago di Carezza Photos and Photography Tips, a Sunrise Location

Typically Lago di Carezza is a Sunrise photo spot. As the sun rises, provided the skies are clear, the jagged peaks of the Latemar group will start catching the warm, first light of the day. As this happens, the same scene will reflect into the still waters of the Carezza Lake.

Lago di Carezza shortly after Sunrise.

The lake is situated in a small depression, and it’s kind of sheltered by the wind. So, even in case of a light breeze, you should be able to catch that type of reflection.

You’ll need an ultra-wide lens to capture the whole lake. I used mostly a 14mm lens, full frame. However, with a longer lens, you’ll be able to use compression to better render the scale of the mountains in the Latemar group.

Earlier I mentioned being here at night. I think this is also a good spot for night photography, though not for the Milky Way. The core of the galaxy is opposite to the main viewpoint.

The moon setting above the lake.

Where to stay

There are plenty of accommodations around the Lago di Carezza. the most popular area nearby is Val di Fassa, which offers plenty of other hiking opportunities. For instance, Lago Antermoia and the whole area around the Vajolet towers.

If you are in a van or a camper, you can overnight in the parking area. That’s quite a good option if you plan to catch the sunrise from there.

The Parking (with a dedicated camper area) in front of Lago di Carezza.

Additional Resources

• Here’s the main page on Hiking in Italy for more hikes and scenic spots in Italy.