The clear blue alpine Lago di Braies is one of the Dolomites’ most popular attractions. Also known as Pragser Wildsee, it’s one of the most dog-friendly hikes in the Dolomites as it’s not too long or arduous, so it’s appropriate for pups of all shapes and sizes. Read on to find out how you and your dog can visit Lago di Braies.
Accessing Lago di Braies by car
There are four parking lots for Lago di Braies, with P4 being the closest and priciest one right on the lake. P3 is about 100m away, P2 is 800m away and P1 is 5.5 km away and requires a shuttle. Because of its popularity, access to the lake is restricted during peak season, mid-June to late-September. During this time period, you can’t park at any of these lots between 9:30 am and 4 pm unless you have a reservation. Lots P3 and P4 are independently operated. To reserve parking at the closest lot, P4, you have to pay a whopping €38, though €15 of that is a voucher for one of the lake’s restaurants. P3 parking can be booked here.
P1 and P2 can be booked on the same page here. For all 4 of these lots, I recommend booking parking at least a couple of days in advance. Even for the farther lots, parking costs €40 and includes a €20 voucher for a store or restaurant nearby. The catch is that you have to choose the restaurant in advance.
The earlier you book, the better, especially if you want a prime spot in P4.
Arriving early without a reservation
What we did, which I recommend if you’re traveling with a dog, is to arrive before 9:30 am when the parking is still not restricted. This both avoids crowds at the very popular lake and gives you free access to parking without having to prebook. We arrived around 7 am and there was still plenty of parking in P4. By the time we left, it was around 9:30 am, and though parking was about to be restricted, our lot was still relatively open.
Staying at the hotel
If you want to explore the area for a couple of days, you can alternatively stay at the Lago di Braies Hotel, which is right on the lake and automatically grants you access to parking on the lake. The only downside is that it’s kind of pricey for relatively basic accommodations, and there may be a 3-night minimum booking requirement during popular travel weeks in peak season.
The hike around Lago di Braies
When we arrived, there were still relatively few people, and most of them were congregated by the boat house taking pictures. Since the site is already well-lit at 7 am in July but sparsely filled, we also saw about five weddings. So it was the perfect time to start the easy hike around the lake, while there were almost no other people walking it.
In the early morning, the best direction to do the hike around the lake is clockwise because the golden light of the sun first hits the mountains in the north and reflect off the lake. The hike is also gentler to ascend from that side. By the time we were at the northern side of the lake, the sun was hitting the water directly and turning it into a bright aquamarine color. There were also quite a few boats in the water just after 8 am when the boathouse opened.
The hike is around 3.5 km long though we ended up walking closer to 4 km including the short walk to and from the parking lot. There are a couple of benches and picnic tables around Lago di Braies so you can stop and take a rest or have a snack along the way. Since we were there early, we didn’t see many crowds. But by 9 am, you’ll see group tours and buses arriving, making certain areas around the lake very cramped.
There are some rocky beaches along the lake if your dog is a swimmer. Though it is technically prohibited for both humans and animals, some dogs do wade around in the lake, particularly along the east side which has a more sloped terrain. As with any hikes in the Dolomites, you should keep your dog on a leash should you let them get in the water.
Renting a boat with your dog on the lake
You can rent a boat for 45 minutes at Lago di Braies, but your dog is only allowed on private rentals. They are not allowed on shared boat rides. Because the private boats cannot be reserved ahead of time, I recommend you arrive early if you want to ride the boats with your dog since these are popular and are likely to sell out.
A word of caution. These are wooden rowboats, which are not always the easiest to maneuver. I would maybe avoid this activity if you’re visiting Lago di Braies with your dog but you’re not so sure about your rowing abilities. In my experience, it’s more challenging than a canoe and there will be lots of traffic on the lake.
Overall, the easy Lago di Braies hike is one of the experiences not to miss in the Dolomites with your dog. It was a dazzling but peaceful morning walk.
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