Lake of Carezza (Karersee) at a glance
Lago di Carezza (German: Karersee) lies at 1,520 m in the municipality of Nova Levante (Welschnofen) in South Tyrol, near the Passo di Costalunga (Karerpass, 1,745 m). It is a small lake, nicknamed the rainbow lake. What takes planning is the way in: the car park next to the lake is paid, has 270 car spaces and cannot be reserved.
You can reach the lake by bus, by lift or on foot, according to the Eggental tourism association. The pages we read do not mention an entrance fee for the lake itself. Parking, the bus and the lifts are where you spend money, and we list the 2026 prices below.
Parking at Lago di Carezza: P1, P2 and P3 in 2026
Karersee parking prices for cars, from the Eggental tourism association. Prices can change, so check the signs on arrival.
| Car park | Distance to the lake | Price for cars | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Directly at the lake | Up to 1 h €5, up to 2 h €8, up to 6 h €13, up to 12 h €18, up to 24 h €30 | 270 car spaces, 4 for buses, cannot be reserved |
| P2 (Schönblickweg) | About 5 minutes on foot | €16 per day | – |
| P3 (Paolina) | About 20 minutes on foot | €24 per day | – |
Buses and campers pay more at P1, from €19 to €40 depending on the duration. Because P1 cannot be booked, arrive early or late in the day in high season. For a one-hour stop the P1 rate of €5 is the best value. For a longer stay, compare it with the day rate at P2 (€16), which is cheaper than P1 once you stay longer than six hours.
Lago di Carezza and Dolomites tours
Day trips and guided tours in the western Dolomites, with live prices and availability.
Three ways to reach the lake
Choose by how long you want to stay and where you start.
By car
P1 at the lake is the fastest and costs €5 to €30 in 2026, but it cannot be booked. P2 is a 5-minute walk away and P3 a 20-minute walk.
By bus
Bus 180 from Bolzano via Nova Levante (Welschnofen). The Guest Pass, value cards and the Mobilcard are valid.
By lift or on foot
The Eggental tourism association lists lifts and walking as options. The summer lifts run until 1 November 2026. We did not verify walking times from the lift stations.
Bus 180 from Bolzano
Bus 180 runs from Bolzano via Nova Levante (Welschnofen) to the lake. It is the simplest way to avoid the parking question. The Südtirol Guest Pass, the value cards and the Mobilcard are all valid on this line, according to the Eggental tourism association.
The Guest Pass is a free digital guest card from taking part accommodation. It is for guests aged 6 and over and cannot be bought separately. If your hotel does not issue one, the Mobilcard costs €22 for 1 day, €32 for 3 days and €52 for 7 days in 2026. Juniors pay €11, €16 and €26, and children under 6 travel free. Validate every ticket at the blue machines before you board. We did not verify the timetable for the 2026 autumn season, so check the current times before you travel.
The Carezza lifts and the seasons
The Carezza lifts run in summer from 23 May to 1 November 2026. That means they are still running on 19 October 2026, but only for about two more weeks. In winter the lifts run from 4 December 2026 to 29 March 2027, according to the operator's English page. Another page lists 5 December as the start, so allow one day of difference.
We did not verify lift ticket prices for the area, so we do not quote any. If you plan to ride a lift, check the operator's price list. Summer 2027 dates have not been published yet.
- Visit in autumn: the summer lifts still run until 1 November 2026, after that they pause until the winter season.
- Visit in winter: the Carezza ski area opens on 4 December 2026. Ski passes are covered in our skiing guide.
- Combine it: the lake fits well with a day on the Alpe di Siusi or a drive through Val Gardena.
Combine Lago di Carezza with other places
Places that make a day with the lake.
Alpe di Siusi
The meadows below the Langkofel: closed road, booked parking and a cable car in 2026.
Val Gardena
Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva, below Seceda and the Sassolungo.
Val di Funes
Santa Maddalena and the church of St. Johann in Ranui.
Where to stay
Bolzano is the town with the bus 180 to the lake.
Lago di Carezza: frequently asked questions
How much is parking at Lago di Carezza?
In 2026, P1 next to the lake costs €5 for up to one hour, €8 for two hours, €13 for six hours, €18 for twelve hours and €30 for 24 hours. P2 on Schönblickweg costs €16 per day and P3 Paolina €24 per day.
Can I reserve a parking space at Lago di Carezza?
No. P1 has 270 spaces for cars and 4 for buses and cannot be reserved. P2 and P3 are further away on foot, about 5 and 20 minutes.
Does the Guest Pass work on bus 180?
Yes. The Guest Pass, value cards and the Mobilcard are valid on bus 180 from Bolzano. Ask your accommodation whether it issues the Guest Pass.
Is there an entrance fee?
The pages we read do not mention one for the lake itself. We could not verify it, so check the signs on site.
Are the lifts open in October 2026?
Yes, the summer lifts run until 1 November 2026. The winter season starts on 4 December 2026 and ends on 29 March 2027, according to the operator.