Ascent to the Seekofel hut above the Pragser Wildsee lake – Alta Pusteria

The Pragser Wildsee is located in the middle of the Fannes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park. Squeezed into a wild, romantic rocky basin and overlooked by the majestic Seekofel, it is considered the most beautiful lake in the Dolomites. The Pragser Wildsee is considered the pearl of the Dolomite lakes. From there, the path continued uphill in a zigzag pattern over scree. The path was partly secured with ropes, making it a challenge. It should only be attempted by experienced hikers.

From the parking lot of Lake Braies, path n.1 towards the Biella Refuge (Seekofel Hütte). At the beginning the path is stony, then it gets better. In some places you have to help yourself with the ropes but it is feasible. Remember, in high season, to book parking the day before, via the internet (€ 18 in August 2021). There are no sources on the trail to refill the water bottles.

Trekking that continues to climb from Lake Braies to Rifugio Biella, in the heart of the Dolomites Read the full story: https://www.lifeintravel.it/trekking-lago-braies-rifugio-biella.html

Sweaty tour from the romantic (but overcrowded) Pragser Wildsee to the Seekofelhütte with a total of 1141 m in ascent and descent. At least the sporting highlight of this year's Dolomites holiday.

Today we ventured out to Lake Braies again. We were early enough that it wasn't too busy and crowded. The lake and its surroundings with the view of the Seekofel massif are simply picturesque. The crystal-clear and magical turquoise-blue water has an almost irresistible attraction. The car park at the lake was the starting point for our mountain tour up to the Seekofelhütte. The rear part of the Pragser Valley above the lake is badly damaged by mudslides, which means that some paths are currently no longer passable. If you keep to the left on the way up towards the Seekofelhütte, you'll be on the safe side. The climb is steep and sometimes challenging. A short climbing section is secured with steel cables as handrails. But the magnificent views of the high plateau are definitely worth the effort.

Motto: Wrong mountain⛰️ Yesterday @Hensa⛰️☀️😎🍻 said that tomorrow we'll get down to business⛰️, but somehow we weren't there today⛰️ and I don't know the mountain🤪🤷, we were on the Seekofel⛰️😬🤪🤣. Tour: From the paid parking lot (max. 20€ day ticket🤨) along the beautiful🤩🔨 Pragser Wildsee🌊🥾. Now up a beautiful path to the gap, then a little downhill↘️ to the first stop🍺 at the Seekofler Hütte🏠🍺🧀🍖 2327m. Then slightly uphill to the start of the steep⬆️ climb over super-beautiful serpentines, further up it became flatter again to the Seekofel summit⛰️. Up there 🔨🤩 magnificent view👀🤩 at 360 degrees, including down to the Pragser Wildsee🌊. Now the same route back to the longer 2nd stop🍺🥗 again at the Seekofelhütte🏠🍖🧀🍺. Again slightly uphill to the gap and down the beautiful path↘️ partly with gravel to the Pragser Wildsee🌊 (due to time constraints without the lake dip 🏊‍♂️🤷😭) and then back to the car park. It doesn't get much better than this🥾⛰️🤩🔨 absolute dream tour🤩, 3 places are secured with ropes, but easily doable, max T3, but of course surefootedness and a head for heights appropriate to T3 are mandatory in the high mountains☝️👍😬. Tour planning from @Hensa⛰️☀️😎🍻 , you chose very well👏🔨🥾⛰️ (Pragser Wildsee🌊 in winter❄️, see tour from 01/01/2023)

Italy here we are. The journey to the first stop, at the Pragser Wildsee, is impressive in itself. The mountains spiral higher and higher into the sky. There are two options for parking at the lake: be there before 9:30 a.m. and park for free, or pay €18 a day from 9:30 a.m. and book the ticket online beforehand, otherwise there will be no parking. Arrived at the lake you have an impressive panorama, the location is magical, which explains the rush here. Memories of Neuschwanstein Castle are awakened, just without the castle. If you are looking for peace here, none! At second glance, it is noticeable that the lake is missing at least three to four meters of water. The posts of the jetty are completely exposed and you can walk through them with dry feet. Climate change hello! To escape from the crowds of tourists, we went up the Dolomitenhöhenweg 1 in the direction of Seekofel Hut. When I say the climb is steep, it hardly does it justice. If you know the ascent to the Schwedenlochen in Saxon Switzerland, at least two and three hours just to get to the hut 😅 We didn't turn up to the hut but just below it. Even so, the panorama was impressive and you felt incredibly tiny. When I arrived at the bottom, I jumped into the lake and we finished the loop around the lake. Now with a little less people than in the morning. CONCLUSION: If you want peace and quiet and save money, definitely be there before 9:30. Otherwise it remains impressive and I will come back to get to the hut again.

A long hike over many scree areas. The last ascent to the summit is impassable and not very spectacular. As always, you are compensated with a magnificent view.