Lake Antholz

However, it comes from an old legend - and it may well be that the story is more of a product of the imagination.

According to the legend, there were three impressive farms at this location a long time ago. One day, a beggar is said to have tried his luck here, but was rejected by all the farms. Upset, he prophesied that a spring would emerge here, which would flood the farms. It didn't take long for the water to come, forming a lake and burying the houses in the floods.

One wouldn't want to burden this lake with such a dark story, with its crystal-clear water and the impressive ring of mountains that surrounds it. The cool mountain lake is located at the end of the Antholz Valley - a side valley of the Puster Valley - in the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and is under nature protection.

Nevertheless, it is possible to cool off here when the summer sun heats the air intensely. It is not a typical bathing lake, as nature is the focus here and does not allow for any artificial amusement park infrastructure (although there are restaurants and a toilet facility nearby). But for those who appreciate the untouched, original nature - and brave the low temperatures - refreshing bathing pleasures can be experienced here. Since you are at an altitude of more than 1,600 meters here and the lake is quite deep, you should not expect bathwater temperatures. A jump into the crystal-clear shimmering water is all the more invigorating. One can feel the tingling sensation on the skin. However, there are also very shallow areas that are ideal for an invigorating foot bath.

Well known and popular as a hiking area, the region offers numerous paths through the green forests. Some mountain tours - such as to the Rotwand, the Steinzgeralm or the Almerhorn - start here. Likewise, a three-kilometer long circular hiking trail takes 1.5 hours to go around the lake, which is set up as an educational trail. At selected stations, information boards provide information about the surrounding mountain peaks, tree species, and the different types of rock that prevail here. The aim is to create awareness. Awareness for a natural jewel that needs to be protected. At the southeastern shore, you can also observe fallow deer in their enclosure.

Mountain bikers know the lake as part of the famous Klamml round, which leads from Sand in Taufers through the Knuttental, the Klammljoch, the Defreggental over the Stallersattel and Bruneck, before returning to the starting point.

With an area of 44 hectares, the Antholz Lake is one of the largest alpine lakes in South Tyrol. As a turquoise spot in the idyllic landscape between the green of the forests and the mighty mountain peaks, it is also a special delight for the eyes.