And then, suddenly, there it is.
The mountain lake: crystal-clear, still – almost as if the sky had decided to pause for a moment and simply settle amongst the mountains. A mirror that reflects the surrounding peaks so perfectly that it’s hard to tell where the sky ends and the water begins. Clouds drift across the surface, blurring gently as the wind sweeps over the ridge.
A dream in the most beautiful shade of blue. And best of all? To see many of these natural gems, you don’t need to conquer a summit or do a long day’s hike. Scattered throughout South Tyrol,
leisurely trails lead to stunning lakes – ideal for all those who wish to experience the mountains and the mini-treasures they hold at their own pace.
Of course, there are a few lakes that many people know. The fabulously beautiful
Lake Karer with its dazzling array of colours, the deep-blue
Lake Antholz, the idyllic
Lake Toblach and the famous
Pragser Wildsee never fail to delight visitors from all over the world.
But just as special are the many smaller mountain lakes hidden away amongst pastures, forests or rocky peaks – each one with its own shade of blue.
Perhaps this is the very secret of such hikes. It’s not about getting there as quickly as possible, but rather about
consciously perceiving the colours of nature along the way. The fresh green of the meadows; the grey of the peaks; the gold of the evening sun – and, time and again, amidst it all, that shade of blue that makes you stop in your tracks without even realising, eyes and heart wide open.
If you’d like to explore South Tyrol with people who know their homeland inside out, it’s best to
join a guided hike. The experienced hiking guides not only know wonderful routes to lakes, mountain pastures and fantastic viewpoints, but also enjoy sharing stories along the way about the region, its nature and traditions. These hikes often lead to places that do not appear in any guidebook – and, at the end of the day, you’ll take home far more than just a few nice photos.
Interested? Then come this way!