Once upon a time, a mermaid lived in Lago di Carezza, a mystical lake in South Tyrol South, and thanks to her the lake reflects colours like a rainbow. It looks even unreal.
Do you know this feeling when you are that amazed by what nature has been creating? It’s stunning how this spectacular places can actually exist, and how nature made it to form these places. Sometimes places look even unreal – such as lago di Carezza. The emerald green of the water looks so photoshopped. A really mystical lake in South Tyrol.
This lake is a real alternative to busy Lago di Braies. For me personally, it is more stunning due to its fantastic colours.
Due to the fear that this epic place might be destroyed by tourism, it is highly protected. That is why Lago di Carezza is completely fenced and it is not possible to approach the water or even the banks. You can only catch some glimpses of the lake on the path which leads around. Nevertheless, it is a very special place and worth a visit.
Lago di Carezza is a small mountain lake in the Dolomites surrounded by the Latemar mountain group which is reflected in the water in the early morning. The lake is fed by subterraneous springs from the Latemar mountains and the water level is constantly changing. The level is highest in spring due to the melting snow and the lowest in autumn.
There are legends about the lake which tell that once upon a time a mermaid lived in this lake. A wizard called Masaré was in love with her and tried to convince her of him. A witch advised him to do so by dressing up as a jewel merchant and creating a rainbow from Mount Catinaccio to Latemar Group. But the wizard forgot to dress up and that’s why the mermaid recognized him and disappeared in the lake forever. Full of anger the wizard through the rainbow and all the jewels into Lago di Carezza and that is why it is still of rainbow colours.
Things to do at this mystical lake in South Tyrol:
You can walk once around the lake which takes around 30 to 50 minutes depending on how often you will stop at the viewpoints from where you can catch a glimpse of this beautiful lake. Myself I took more than an hour because the colours of Lago di Carezza just didn’t let me go.
You can combine your trip with a hike in the Latemar group in the surrounding, some hikes of different length start directly at the lake. See some examples here.
When visiting the lake in July or August I recommend going early in the morning as the lake is famous for tourists and whole buses will arrive later. And there is another big advantage of a morning visit. You can see the stunning reflections of the Latemar Group and the trees in the lake. But only in the early morning!
Find more beautiful places in South Tyrol in this blog post.
How to get to lago di Carezza
Follow the road 241 to Lago di Carezza in 39056 Welschnofen, Province of Bolzano. There is a parking lot right at the lake which is not too big. If it is full, you can just park at the side of the street.
Also, check out my favourite places in South Tyrol by clicking here.
Do you know a more mystical lake in South Tyrol? Then drop me a comment and tell me about it!
And don’t forget: Never stop exploring!
