Hiking Karersee (Lago di Carezza) in the Italian Dolomites
Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by Charlotte
Twinkling like a tourmaline jewel in a forested tapestry, Karersee (also known as Lago Di Carezza) is an alpine lake above Val’ d’Ega in the Italian Dolomites. A photographer’s dream, Karersee has eye-catching views of the lake against the Latemar and Rosengarten massifs mountains. At Karersee, enjoy easy walking trails around the lake and through the surrounding woods. In this photo hiking guide, immerse yourself in the sights and lore of Karersee, and learn tips for your visit.
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Karersee Photo Journey
Despite the typically unpredictable summer weather in the Alps, we were lucky enough to enjoy Karersee on a bluebird day. We arrived around noon, and the sun was at the perfect angle to light up the water in the lake. At the start of the trail, a viewing platform just a five-minute walk from the visitor’s center gives you an unobstructed view of the lake. Here, you can head back to the visitor’s center cafe or continue along the walking paths that circumnavigate the lake.
The Karersee Loop Trail
The lake itself is not too large, the 1.1 km loop taking only twenty minutes to circumnavigate. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in depth. At 22 m deep, these stunning shades of blue found in Karersee are in part due to the unique algal communities and waters fed by underground springs. However, the local people of Val’ d’Ega have their lore for how this lake came to be.
Local legend tells of a sorcerer enamored with a water nymph who frequented Lake Carezza’s shore. Despite the sorcerer’s efforts, the nymph evaded his advances. Advised by a witch, the sorcerer created a captivating rainbow of jewels between the Latemar and Rosengarten massifs to ensnare her. However, the sorcerer forgot to disguise himself when setting his trap. Although the nymph was mesmerized by the rainbow, she noticed the sorcerer and escaped into the lake’s depths, disappearing forever. Angered, the sorcerer destroyed the rainbow, scattering its jewels into the lake. This act birthed the lake’s other name among the Ladin people: “Lech de l’ercaboan”, or the Rainbow Lake.
Karersee to Lago di Mezzo
Halfway along the trail circumnavigating the lake, we wandered away from the crowds onto another trail heading toward the mountains and a smaller lake called Lago di Mezzo (Mittersee). Because it was mid-June, the lakebed at Lago di Mezzo was a dried-out grassy pasture with no water.
The sun-warmed rocks lining the dried lakebed made a perfect place to stop for a picnic lunch. As the trail snaked deeper into the coniferous spruce forest and up a hill, we were greeted by splendorous views of the Latemar Massif mountains.
The Italian Dolomites in South Tyrol have some of the wildest and most unique rock formations that I’ve seen in my life. The mountains in the Dolomites are ~250 million years old and are primarily composed of sedimentary rocks and limestone.
Many millions of years ago, the area in which the Dolomites are today was an ancient tropical primordial ocean called Tethys. Here, colossal coral reefs and active volcanoes formed layers of coral and ash that turned into sedimentary rock over time and under high pressure. When the African continental plate met the European continental plate, these layers of rock were thrust into the sky. Over time, wind and water eroded these rock layers to form the jagged spires we see in the Dolomites today.
As we connected back to the main path around Karersee from the Karersee – Lago Di Mezzo loop, the trail became a bit more busy with foot traffic. The majority of the waterline is fenced off to prevent visitors from swimming. The area of the lake within the fence is a protected habitat for brown trout, arctic char, and other wildlife. Back down at the lake, we completed our lap and retired to the visitor’s center for food and coffee.
Hikes around Karersee
Karersee (Lago Di Carezza) Loop
- Distance: 0.8 miles / ~1.1 km
- Time: 20-30 minutes
- Elevation: 85 ft / ~25 m
- Best Seasons: Trail is open year-round, but the water level might be lower in late summer
- AllTrails Profile
Lago Di Carezza – Lago Di Mezzo
- Distance: 2.6 miles / 4.19 km
- Time: ~ 1h15m (longer if you stop to take a lot of photos)
- Elevation: 531 ft / 161 m
- Best Seasons: Trail is open year-round, but Lago Di Mezzo will likely be dry in summer
- AllTrails Profile
Karersee Facilities and Accessibility
- Public parking: Is available at Karersee and is free for the first 15 minutes, then paid after that
- Public toilets: Are available at the visitor’s center
- Food and drink: Are served at the visitor’s center cafe
- Visitors center shop: Souvenirs and outdoor clothing are available for purchase at the visitor’s center
- Accessibility: The visitor’s center to the viewing platform is a relatively gentle path and would be suitable for those with limited mobility
A tasty coffee and ice cream monstrosity and a pretzel with weisswurst at the Karersee visitor’s center cafe.
Was it worth the trip?
100% yes! This was our first stop on our Dolomites road trip, and we appreciated the fact that our visit to Karersee was possible to do in just a few hours. We stopped at Karersee en route from Verona to Ortisei and enjoyed a short hike and meal. This was probably the bluest lake that I’ve seen in my life so far, and it was a joy to photograph.
