Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza

i Image by Cristi

How would you rate Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza?

Tap a star to share your experience and help other hikers.

Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza: Dolomites Day Hike

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

423

Ranked #423 of 974

See the Top 100 →

HikeList Score

Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza scored 81/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 71
Accommodation 66
Food & support 88
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 63

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Lago di Braies to Prato Piazza hike is a 13 km, 1-day moderate point-to-point route in South Tyrol, Italy. It climbs from Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee to the high plateau of Prato Piazza / Plätzwiese inside the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. Expect a proper mountain path: forest, alpine grass, limestone scree and a short cable-secured exposed step. It suits sure-footed hikers who want a big Dolomites day without committing to a multi-day trek.

Route Overview

Walk it uphill from Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee, starting near the lake shore at about 1,496 m, then climb through forest and alpine ground towards Stolla Alm / Malga Stolla. The route joins the Gaisl-Höhenweg below the Croda Rossa / Hohe Gaisl massif, with rocky and scree sections before Rossalm / Malga Rossa and the high saddle at about 2,339 m. It then descends to the Prato Piazza / Plätzwiese plateau, with Rifugio Prato Piazza, Berggasthof Plätzwiese and Rifugio Vallandro nearby. This is a point-to-point walk: use SAD buses 442/443 for Lago di Braies and summer bus or road access for Plätzwiese. Part of the route overlaps the Alta Via 1; for a harder Dolomites thru-hike, compare the Alta Via 2.

Forte Prato Piazza and the Dolomite front

Prato Piazza / Plätzwiese was fortified by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the late 19th century. Forte Prato Piazza was built between 1889 and 1894 to guard the approach from Val di Landro towards the Puster valley. During the First World War, the surrounding Dolomite front saw heavy mountain fighting, and the fort was used as an observation post after its guns were removed. Trenches, tunnels and ruined barracks still remain on the plateau.

Notable highlights

Lago di Braies / Pragser Wildsee (~1,496 m): The turquoise glacial lake marks the start of the hike, framed by Dolomite walls and the Croda del Becco.
Croda Rossa / Hohe Gaisl massif: The Gaisl-Höhenweg traverses below this red-tinged dolomite wall, giving the high section its stark scree-and-rock character.
Rossalm / Malga Rossa (~2,164 m): A managed alpine pasture hut on the traverse, useful for a break or hut meal when open.
Prato Piazza / Plätzwiese plateau (~2,000 m): A broad grassy high plateau with views towards Dürrenstein, Cristallo and, in clear weather, the Tre Cime massif.
Forte Prato Piazza: A ruined Austro-Hungarian fort on the plateau, with First World War remains scattered through the surrounding meadows.

Challenges to expect

This is moderate, not technical, but it is still a Dolomites mountain route. The Gaisl-Höhenweg includes loose limestone scree, rocky footing and a short exposed cable-secured step, so sure-footedness is needed. Early-season snow can linger on the high traverse. Logistics also matter: both Lago di Braies and Plätzwiese have summer access restrictions, shuttles, buses or toll-road arrangements to check in advance.

423

Ranked #423 of 974

See the Top 100 →