One of the gems of the Dolomites is the Lake Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee (German). It is located in the north of Italy, in the Trentino-Alto Adigio region and in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. To discover the waters of Lake Braies, you can go for a 4-kilometer walk around the lake. This circular and simple walk is ideal for enjoying the wonderful ambience that surrounds it.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and one of the most visited in the country. It is located between Trentino-Alto Adigio, Lombardy and Veneto. It is surrounded by towns that are worth visiting, such as Sirmione, Limone sul Garda, Riva del Garda, Malcesine or Bardolino (the latter, famous for its wine and gastronomy). In addition to visiting the lakeshore towns, you can go on one of the many paths there near the lake. One of the most popular paths is the Busatte Tempesta.

Straddling between Italy and Switzerland is the second largest lake in Italy: Lake Maggiore. Its waters bathe the territories of the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, as well as the Swiss canton of Ticino. One of the elements that attracts many visitors are the islands within it. In addition to visiting some of these islands, we also recommend following a hiking trail, like the one that goes up the mountains Pizzoni de Laveno and Monte Nudo, where the landscape can be contemplated from.

Lake Orta (Piedmont) is a lake near Lake Maggiore. Smaller, but not with less charm. On the lakeshore lies the township Orta San Giulio, where the small hill called Sacro Monte di Orta (owing to its religious compound, it is a UNESCO Heritage Site). This compound is made up of 21 chapels, among other buildings. Another must-see place to visit is San Giulio Island, which you can reach by ferry from Orta San Giulio.

Lake Como (Lombardy) is the deepest lake in Italy owing to measuring over 400 meters in the deepest zone. In terms of surface area, it is the third largest lake in the country (only topped by Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore). One of the popular routes along Lake Como is the trail called Sentiero del Viadante, which connects the two municipalities of Lecco and Colico. The trail, that can be broken up into multiple legs, cross various municipalities along this lake’s shores.

Lake Carezza (Karersee in German) is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dolomites. One of the greatest charms this lake has, located in Trentino-Alto Adigio and also known as the rainbow lake, is the reflection of the Latemar ridge on its emerald waters. You can go around it in a circular excursion just under 1 km long, or instead follow a more challenging trail that leads you to discover the surroundings (including Lake Meso) and even Lake Carezza itself.

In the Brenta Dolomites lies Lake Molveno. It is another must-see lake in the Trentino-Alto Adigio region. The walk around this lake is one of the most common excursions, which can be lengthened to reach the small Lake Nembia (located less than 2 kilometers from Lake Molveno). The Molveno municipality is on the lake shore, where the beach Lido di Molveno is as well as a cable car which goes up to the Pradel Meseta, offering some magnificent views.

Lake Sorapis, also in the Dolomites, is a natural wonder located at 1,920 meters above sea level. It is close to the Cortina d'Ampezzo municipality (in the Italian region Veneto). This classic trail to reach the lake starts at the Passo Tre Croci and it crosses the Italian Alpine Club’s trail number 215. There are other options to climb up to Lake Sorapis, although they are more technical.

Near Lake Sorapis lies Lake Misurina, at 1,740 meters high. There are different hiking trails that start here, which are characterized for their dreamy panorama. After having visited the lake, from all the possible trails to choose from, we recommend the Monte Piana trail (2,324 m). This mountain is an authentic “outdoor museum” from World War I: in which there were numerous battles, and there still remain many Italian and Austrian trenches.

Lake Malghette, the Malghette Mountain Hut (located on the lake shore) and the Brenta Massif leave an imprint difficult to forget. This little lake lies in Val di Sole (Trentino-Alto Adigio) at 1,900 meters above sea level. You can go on a beautiful excursion from Campo Carlo Magno to Lake Malghette and, if you want to make the day last longer, climb up to Lake Alto, the Tre Laghi Lakes and Lake Scura.