Italy / South Tyrol - Dolomites 05: Lago Di Braies to Hochalpenkopf

We parked the car and started our hike on the left side of the lake walking clock wise.
It was a beautiful day, not busy and the rain was forecasted for the early evening.
We were a bit slow at the beginning, lot of awesome angles for the pics, amazing views of the Lago Di Braies and plenty of things to see.
We walked 2.5 km on the edge of the emerald colored lake.
At 3 km from starting point leave the lake and take your left towards Grunwald Alm trail 19. We walked for 1.5 km along a dried river bed till we reached the Malga Foresta Hut where we had our first stop and a nice cold beer.
Just after the hut, take your right on the wooden bridge and continue along the river bed.
Stop from time to time to enjoy the mountains and trees around you.
Stay on trail 19 direction Hochalpe Malga and always look for the red and white signs.
The trail goes slowly uphill for 2.5 km till you reached another hut. This one is closed but the place is very beautiful.
For the next 1.5 km you will be walking in a Cedars and pine trees forest till you reach one of the best spots in the hike. The green remote pasture of Utia fojadora. The place is beyond beautiful with a small family restaurant and around half a dozen of huts for their animals (cows, chicken ...)
The trail leads you uphill again and keep on following the red and white lines with the number 6.
At 10.7 km from the starting point look for the wooden pole and follow trail 61 leading you to Hochalpenkopf Peak.
For the next 3.5 km the hike is more than pleasant with panoramic views over the mountains and valleys of the Dolomites.
We skipped going up to Hochalpenkopf Peak (another 40 min uphill) because it was getting late and it might rain at anytime.
Green flowery pastures all around you till you reach a small stone wall where you will have a breathtaking view over the valley, the mountains, the forests and part of Lago Di Braies.
At 14.7 km going downhill is a bit tricky but manageable.
I didn't stop taking pics that day.
We reached the parking lot at the right time just seconds before it begun to rain.
We had this overwhelming feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction after we closed the loop.
One of the best hikes with the best scenery ever.
I would say it is a moderately difficult hike.

Enjoy and keep it clean !!!

PS: Respect Nature and stay on the trail. Cheers.