Karersee - Lago di Carezza

Absolutely mystical when the lake is completely smooth, super gorgeous emerald green color when the sun is shining. Unfortunately always very full.

A small mountain lake in which the rose garden and the Latemar are reflected: the Karersee.

The lake is located in the western Dolomites in the Latemar Forest, almost 20 kilometers southeast of Bolzano at an altitude of 1,520 m in the municipality of Welschnofen. The closest settlement is Karersee. The 300 m long and 140 m wide body of water is fed by underground springs from the Latemar mountain range. The depth and size of the lake are noticeably dependent on the season and the weather, the greatest depth is given as around 22 m. In winter, the lake is sometimes visited by divers who carry out their dives under a thick layer of ice and record the underwater play of colors in documentaries. The small mountain lake is famous above all for its deep green water and the mountain backdrop rising above the surrounding forest with the Latemar group in the south and the rose garden in the northeast as the background. There are many South Tyrolean legends surrounding the lake, and numerous painters and writers chose the motif for their paintings or stories.

The lake can be reached via the SS 241 state road (Eggentaler Staatsstraße - also known as the Dolomites road). The road to the Karer Pass, which is very busy, especially in summer, passes the lake in the immediate vicinity. The lake is fenced and its banks are not allowed to be entered.

Here is clear: "The early bird catches the worm"
During the day, crowds of tourists are being lavishly relieved and the rest is being forced out of the idyll.

From the SS241 that connects Nova Levante to Vigo di Fassa you can reach the Karersee - Lago di Carezza Visitor Center. Large paid parking (1 € / h). From the parking lot, follow the signs for the lake and take the pedestrian underpass, the setting up of which aims to recall the history and mythology of the Latemar forest and to present the particularities of the wood obtained from it. Once at the viewing platform you can admire one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites, surrounded by splendid fir woods (or what remains of it after the passage of the Vaia storm). Its crystalline waters reflect the Latemar massif, the solitary mountain, which finds its peak in the 2,846 m of Cimon del Latemar. Lake Carezza, fed by underground springs, develops a width of about 300 m and a maximum depth of 22 m which varies according to the season and weather conditions. The best months to visit it are May, June and July, when it reaches its maximum expansion. In the other months it usually decreases significantly.

Good start for walks to the rose garden or Latemar

Beautiful view of the mountains, the water is crystal clear

Karersee is known as the "rainbow lake" and "fairytale lake" of the Dolomites.
The Kareree, 300 m long and 130 m wide, is fed by underground springs from the Latemar Group. Its water level is constantly changing: in spring it reaches its highest level at 22 m deep, in summer the lake is filled by the snowmelt, in October the water level is at its lowest at around 6 m. A circular hike takes 20 minutes around Lake Carezza, which can be reached by public transport and by car: there is a (chargeable) car park on the opposite side of the street. In winter, the "fairytale lake of the Dolomites" is frozen and snow-covered.

suedtirolerland.it/de/highlights/natur-und-landschaft/seen-in-suedtirol/karersee

Too bad the Karersee seems to dry up

Many gaps due to the storm damage

Beautiful landscape very nice for hiking

Beautiful lake that can also be re-migrated

Small but fantastic lake with beautiful colours and the Latemar mirrored on its surface

A beautiful mountain lake below the Latemar

From the car park Karersee you can start various hikes from as to the Latemar meadows or to Obereggen

The Karersee lies below the Karerpass and is a little gem, which fortunately
is a protected natural monument.

Unfortunately it doesn't look that nice for the next few years. The storm destroyed everything, so a shame !!

If the Karersee should dry out, that would be a shame. For me the most color-intensive lake - great

Attention: if you want to get to the Labyrintsteig from here, you can only get there. Other paths are blocked due to the wind breakage of tons of fallen trees. The signs or notices on site are not quite optimal (as of 10.07.2020)

Unfortunately a bit lost in charm, since many trees fell victim to the storm

Was a beautiful lake. A storm knocked down a lot of trees, unfortunately

A fascinating lake. Extremely colorful 👌

Very beautiful, crystal clear mountain lake, with a wonderful view of the Rosengarten and Latemar, but unfortunately very, very crowded - even in Corona times!

The area is still working hard to clean up the storm damage.
It's amazing how many trees fell victim to the storm 😥