Holiday in Pragser Wildsee

What makes Pragser Wildsee special as a destination?

Pragser Wildsee (Lago di Braies) in South Tyrol is the lake that made the internet famous — and you can't blame it. The emerald green water, framed by the rugged Dolomite walls of Seekofel (2,810 m), the dark spruce forests along the shore, and the rustic boathouse with its wooden rowboats create a postcard image that looks so perfect that it's hard to believe. However, Pragser Wildsee was not always an Instagram hotspot: Until the Italian television series "Un Passo dal Cielo" was filmed here and the images went around the world, it was a quiet gem known mainly to locals and hikers. Today, the lake is one of the most photographed places in the Alps — but the good news is: In the early morning and late afternoon, when the tourist buses have disappeared, the magic returns. A walk around the lake on the well-maintained hiking trail takes about an hour and reveals the lake from constantly changing perspectives: Sometimes the Dolomite walls reflect perfectly in the smooth water, sometimes a ray of sunshine breaks through the clouds and makes the water glow in an unreal turquoise. The small pebble beach on the southern shore is a popular picnic spot in summer, and the rowboats on the lake are the absolute postcard motif. From the lake, more challenging hikes begin: The ascent to Seekofel (about 4-5 hours) rewards with a summit panorama that encompasses the entire Dolomites. The Dolomite High Trail No. 1 also starts here and leads over several stages to Belluno — one of the most legendary long-distance hikes in the Alps. In winter, the frozen lake transforms into a fairy-tale snow landscape, perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.