Lake Braies, Fanes‑Sennes‑Braies Nature Park, Dolomites, Italy

Peace among the peaks. Lake Braies, Dolomites, Italy

Lake Braies sits almost 1,500 metres above sea level in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, northern Italy. Surrounded by forest and the dramatic peaks of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, the lake is known for its striking green and blue waters. A 3.5-kilometre trail circles the shore, while traditional wooden rowing boats offer another way to take in the scenery. The lake is also a starting point for several mountain walks, including the Dolomites' famous Alta Via 1.

The towering peaks reflecting in the water are part of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its distinctive geological formations and fossil record. Composed primarily of dolomite rock, these ancient mountains contribute dissolved minerals that give the lake its striking green and blue clarity. The Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, officially designated in 1980, actively conserves this biodiverse alpine region, providing refuge for species such as the golden eagle and chamois. This geological heritage and ecological richness form a delicate, dynamic system, shaped over millennia by glacial forces and ongoing erosion.