Although it is small, Karersee is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. It's a popular hiking destination due to its amazing greenish colour. The local gem is also called Lago di Carezzo in Italian and is located at an altitude of 1,519 meters. A great place to take the children, if you are looking for an easy hike with a unique view.
Its average depth is 17 meters, while the lake is 140 meters wide and 300 meters long. The trail along the shores is only 2.5 km long, and you can walk it in 1 hour.
Overview
| Karersee | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Dolomites, Alps, Italy |
| Bolzano distance | 30 km / 45 mins |
| Names | Lago di Carezzo, Lake Karer |
| Parameters | 300 x 140 meters |
| Depth | 17 meters |
| Can you bathe in it? | No |
| Hiking route | 1 hour | 2.5 km | easy |
Map - Where is the Karersee?
The lake is located in the Alps between the peaks of the Dolomites, in the northern part of Italy. You are in the Latemar mountain group, in South Tyrol, not far from the Austrian border. Bolzano (also called Bozen) is only 30 km away.
Sign in to enjoy an ad-free experience and stay up-to-date with our latest features.
- Distance to Bolzano (Bozen): 45 minutes / 30 km
Parking
You can park in a large parking lot near the shores. You will need to pay for it, so have some cash (euros) with you.
- Parking: 1 - 2 euros / 1 hour
Photos
The small mountain lake is famous for its calm water, dark green colour and beautiful alpine panorama. Behind the lake, you see the jagged peaks of the Latemar mountain chain (2842 m). The small wonder is surrounded by the Karer forest of the same name.
Hiking route
You can walk around the lake on an easy hiking route. The tourist trail next to the forest is not technical at all. There are also benches on the side, with a great view of the lake.
- Hiking distance: 2.5 km
- Duration: 1 hour
- Elevation: Less than 100 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- Child friendly? Yes
Agatha Christie trail
The path is part of the larger tour named after the well-known writer Agatha Christie. The novelist vacationed in the nearby hotel during the hot months. The route named after her is about 10 km long and leads around the lake to the Karer Pass.
- Hiking distance: 9.8 km
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Elevation: 430 m
Can you swim in Karersee?
Unfortunately, it is forbidden to swim in the lake, as it is under natural protection. That's why you can't go out to the beach either, as it is divided by a fence. By the way, the lake's water is only 13 - 15 degrees, even in summer.
Season
The beautiful Karersee is a great program in any season. It is worth knowing that the water reaches its lowest level at the end of summer and autumn. Winter is one of the best times to visit because there are fewer tourists.
In winter, the lake is visited by divers who record documentaries about the colour of the underground water.
Child friendly?
Yes. Even with smaller children, going around the lake will be an excellent program. Neither the distance nor the elevation gain of the route is significant.
Dog friendly?
Yes, feel free to bring our dog.
We hope you found the summary useful. If so, save this link for later or share it with your friends. Have a nice trip! Trekhunt team ❤️