The rainbow lake under the Latemar
Hidden in a dense forest of spruces at the foot of the Latemar, at about 1,500 metres, along the Great Dolomites Road that leads from Bolzano to the Costalunga pass, Lake Carezza (Karersee) is one of the most enchanting lakes of the Alps. It is small, but its water, fed by underground springs, takes on extraordinary shades of green, blue, turquoise and violet, reflecting the pale towers and pinnacles of the Latemar and, on the other side, the walls of the Catinaccio. In the Ladin language it is called "Lec de Ergobando", the rainbow lake.
The name comes from a famous legend: a water nymph, Ondina, lived in the lake and sang on its shores, and the wizard of the Latemar fell in love with her. To conquer her, on the advice of a witch, he disguised himself as a jewel merchant and created a wonderful rainbow from the Latemar to the Catinaccio, but forgot to change his clothes, and the nymph, recognising him, fled into the water and never appeared again. The furious wizard tore the rainbow and threw the pieces into the lake, which since then has shone with all its colours. To protect it from the huge number of visitors, the shores are fenced, and swimming is not allowed; a short path of about half an hour runs around the lake, through the woods, with different views. The level of the water changes during the year: it is highest in late spring and early summer, when the snow melts.
Tip: go early in the morning, when the water is still and the reflections are perfect; there is a paid car park and a bus stop across the road.
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