Читать книгу Shorter Walks in the Dolomites. 50 varied day walks in the mountains онлайн

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Romantic Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee in German) could easily be called the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites. It boasts deep emerald-green waters bound by bleached shingle beaches and sheer cliffs that plunge into the cool depths. Lying at the foot of towering 2810m Croda del Becco, which is reflected on the still surface, it owes its existence to ancient rockfalls that barred the valley. The name Braies may derive from the Celtic bracu (a marsh or swamp). Another theory is that it may have originated from the Ladin brage (trousers), as the eponymous valley forks evenly into what look like trouser legs.

Located at 1489m above sea level and covering 31 hectares, the lake is fed by both alpine streams and underground springs. Trout live in the lake’s chilly depths, which plunge to a maximum of 36m, while the surface temperature rarely exceeds 14°C. As a rule it ices over in late November, not reverting to liquid form until May. As motor-propelled craft are forbidden – the area is part of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park – it is always peaceful.