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Long circular route at Karer Lake

Welschnofen
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Difficulty
Easy
Activity time
1:04
Duration in hours
Distance
3.8
Distance in km
Suggested period
Jan
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Long circular route from the colorful Karer Lake over the suspension bridge into the well-known Karerwald.
The fairytale lake of the Dolomites, the Karer Lake, is a colorful mountain lake where, according to legend, a water nymph is said to live. In its crystal-clear water, the Dolomite giants Latemar and Rosengarten are reflected in the morning and evening—a sight that amazes many visitors. Therefore, the lake is also called Lec de Ergobando – Rainbow Lake.
The 300-meter-long and 140-meter-wide Karer Lake lies at an altitude of 1,520 m below the Latemar massif, at the edge of the Latemar forest in the municipality of Welschnofen, near the small village Karersee in the Eggental valley. As a protected natural monument, it is fed by underground springs from the Latemar, which is why its size and depth strongly depend on the season and weather. The greatest measured depth is 22 meters.

The long circular route leads from Karer Lake over the suspension bridge towards the holiday settlement and then guides back through an idyllic forest area to the starting point at the lake. The forest area is called Karerwald and is known for its high-quality spruces, which are in demand both as construction timber and for instrument making, especially the making of string instruments,. Besides Karer Lake itself, the suspension bridge, built in 2018 as a connection to the Karersee settlement, is another special highlight for visitors.

As a protected natural monument, Karer Lake deserves special respect. It is important to adhere to the designated protection boundaries to ensure that the beauty of this unique mountain lake is preserved for the future.
Route info
Easy
Distance
3,8 km
Activity time
1 h 04 min
Ascent
98 m
Descent
102 m
Physical effort
Scenary
Highest point
1.636 m
Lowest point
1.540 m
Suggestions
Refreshment opportunity at the visitor center: Sea Bistro - opening hours and day off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/sea-bistro_5234
Safety guidelines
As a protected natural monument, Karer Lake deserves special respect. It is important to adhere to the designated protection boundaries to ensure that the beauty of this unique mountain lake is preserved for the future.
Directions
Long circular hike around Karer Lake | orange marking
The starting point is at the Karer Lake parking lot. At the end of the parking lot, cross the suspension bridge and then follow path [6] steeply uphill towards Karerpass. At the Hotel Restaurant Lake & River, cross the street, turn left onto path [12], and follow it to the junction with path [11]. Turn right onto path [11] to Karer Lake. If desired, you can still make a lap around the lake at Karer Lake and then return to the starting point.

Refreshment opportunity at the visitor center: Sea Bistro - opening hours and day off: https://eggental.com/de/infos/sea-bistro_5234
public transportation

The starting point of the route is easily and conveniently accessible by public transport.

With the public bus line:
- 180 from Bolzano, Birchabruck, Welschnofen
- 180 from Fassa Valley, Karerpass, Karer Lake
- 184 from Weissenstein, Petersberg, Deutschnofen, Stenk with transfer to 180 (or: 181 and transfer to 180)
- 184 from Obereggen, Eggen with transfer to 180 (or: 184 and transfer to 180)
- 186 from St. Zyprian, Nigerpass with transfer to 180
- 187 from Steinegg, Gummer with transfer to 180 (or: 182 and transfer to 180)

Stop: Karer Lake. Online timetable search on South Tyrol Mobil: www.suedtirolmobil.info

How to get there

The starting point of the route is easily and conveniently accessible by public transport.

With the public bus line:
- 180 from Bolzano, Birchabruck, Welschnofen
- 180 from Fassa Valley, Karerpass, Karer Lake
- 184 from Weissenstein, Petersberg, Deutschnofen, Stenk with transfer to 180 (or: 181 and transfer to 180)
- 184 from Obereggen, Eggen with transfer to 180 (or: 184 and transfer to 180)
- 186 from St. Zyprian, Nigerpass with transfer to 180
- 187 from Steinegg, Gummer with transfer to 180 (or: 182 and transfer to 180)

Stop: Karer Lake. Online timetable search on South Tyrol Mobil: www.suedtirolmobil.info

By car: 
Destination: Karer Lake
Parking: Karer Lake parking lot

Where to park
Parking: Karer Lake parking lot (paid), https://goo.gl/maps/w4SVXQJJyxtUaLdUA
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Information & prices
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