Day trip destination
Karersee lake near Welschnofen: a gem of emerald green
Karersee lake near Welschnofen is described as the prettiest mountain lake in the Alps with good reason: its fascinating play of colours leaves its impression on visitors both in summer and winter.
Anyone seeing Karersee lake near Welschnofen for the first time can hardly believe their eyes: water of such a beautiful emerald green can only be the result of witchcraft. This is what the Ladin ancestors of the local population thought when they called the lake 'Lec de Ergobando', which means something like 'rainbow lake'. This name originates from an old legend that explains the wonderful colours of Karersee lake.
The pretty mermaid
A beautiful mermaid who often sat on its banks and braided her blonde hair whilst singing was said to have once lived at Karersee lake. One day, the sorcerer of Masarè was watching her braiding her hair and singing and fell deeply in love with her. As the mermaid failed to be seduced by him, the sorcerer tried to win her over with his magic instead. Langwerde the witch advised him to stretch a rainbow from the Rosengarten to the Latemar mountains and approach the mermaid while dressed as a jeweller. No sooner said than done, but the wicked sorcerer forgot his jeweller costume in his infatuation: the mermaid was amazed at the rainbow, but then noticed the sorcerer and disappeared into the depths of the lake never to be seen again. The sorcerer, however, was beside himself with rage, and tore the rainbow down from the sky and threw it into the lake along with the jewels: this is why Karersee lake shimmers with all the pretty colours of the rainbow to this day.
Colour play on water
The lake nestles in a hollow beneath the Latemar group of mountains. When the weather is good, its waters do not just reflect the Latemar, but the Rosengarten, too. The lake is fed by underground sources from the Latemar mountain range. The depth and size of the lake are dependent on the season: the water table can reach 22 metres. In winter, Karersee lake is buried beneath a thick layer of snow and is very popular with documentary film makers who wish to capture the colours' effects beneath the water. But you can leave your swimming at home in summer, too: swimming is not allowed in Karersee lake – it is a natural monument with protected status.
The lake lies at the edge of the Latemar forest at a height of 1,520 metres above sea level, 20 kilometres east of Bozen and a few minutes' drive from Welschnofen. From Welschnofen, you drive towards Karerpass and leave your car at the large car park next to the lake. From there, you can walk around the lake on a pretty panorama path.
Karersee lake
Further information
Every vacationer in South Tyrol has to visit Lake Carezza, the most gorgeous Alpine mountain lake!
This small mountain lake is well-known for its soft, deep green waters and the exquisite view of the Rosengarten and Latemar mountain ranges.
The lake is at its most gorgeous in the evening or early morning, when the Rosengarten-Latemar mountain ranges and the green of the Karerwald forest are reflected in its crystal clear water. This is a natural spectacle you won't want to miss!
Many South Tyrolean legends are based around the lake, such as that of the water nymph, and many writers and painters have chosen the motif for their paintings and stories.
Situated at 1,520 metres above sea level, Lake Carezza is 300 m long and 140 m wide in the Val d'Ega municipality of Nova Levante and is a protected natural monument. It is fed by underground springs from the Latemar mountain range, which is why both its size and depth are highly dependent on season and weather conditions - the greatest depth of Lake Carezza has been recorded at 22 m.
As Lake Carezza is a protected area, it is forbidden to cross the protective boundaries around the lake. Likewise, bathing and swimming in it is also strictly prohibited.
Lake Carezza is accessible without barriers. At the car park of the lake there are a total of 4 parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities. At the lake there is a visitor centre with barrier-free toilets and a barrier-free passage to the lake. The viewing platform and the circular walk around the lake are also barrier-free.
There are refreshment facilities at the visitor centre, which include two bistros. Other places to stop are the restaurants and huts in the area.
Lake Carezza is accessible around the clock all year round. The visitor centre with its subway for pedestrians and the toilets are open daily from 9 am - 6 pm.
For more info on Lake Carezza, click here: eggental.com/lakecarezza
Parking: Parking lot Karer See | Lago di Carezza (a payment)
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nNUhufMTPAGv91h27
Getting to the lake by public transport is easy and convenient.
By public bus line:
- 180 from Bozen | Bolzano, Val di Fassa
- 180 from Karer Pass | Passo Costalunga, Karer See | Lago di Carezza
- 180 from Birchabruck | Ponte Nova
- 184 and change 180 from Obereggen, Eggen | Ega
- 181 and change 180 from Weissenstein | Pietralba, Petersberg | Monte San Pietro, Deutschnofen | Nova Ponente, Stenk
- 187 from Steinegg | Collepietra, Gummer | San Valentino
Bus stop: Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Lago di Carezza; online timetable search at: https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nNUhufMTPAGv91h27
Destination: Welschnofen | Nova Levante
Parking: Parking lot Karer See | Lago di Carezza (a payment)
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nNUhufMTPAGv91h27
Getting to the lake by public transport is easy and convenient.
By public bus line:
- 180 from Bozen | Bolzano, Val di Fassa
- 180 from Karer Pass | Passo Costalunga, Karer See | Lago di Carezza
- 180 from Birchabruck | Ponte Nova
- 184 and change 180 from Obereggen, Eggen | Ega
- 181 and change 180 from Weissenstein | Pietralba, Petersberg | Monte San Pietro, Deutschnofen | Nova Ponente, Stenk
- 187 from Steinegg | Collepietra, Gummer | San Valentino
Bus stop: Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Lago di Carezza; online timetable search at: https://www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nNUhufMTPAGv91h27