Walk to Lake Creta

DESCRIPTION
Lake Creta: an opaque body of water among the springs of San Vigilio.

Geographical location
San Vigilio di Marebbe is a frazione of the municipality of Marebbe, in the province of Bolzano. The village rises in the Marebbe Valley, in Ladin Val de Mareo, a side valley of Val Badia, at the gates of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park.
A few kilometres from the centre, along the Strada Val dai Tamersc which climbs towards the Pederù mountain hut, lies Lake Creta – Lé dla Creda in its original Ladin name.

Hike
The circular walk to Lake Creta presents no difficulties. Children, the elderly and pushchairs tackle it without problems. The route alternates stretches of road with short sections of path.
The lake is shallow. The clayey sediments on the bottom transform the colour of the water, which descends from the high-altitude springs: from transparent it becomes opaque, almost milky. Hence the name of the lake. Although it is not suitable for swimming, it is permitted to dip your feet, perhaps after a long walk.
Along the way you encounter the Spiaggetta Ciamaor. The municipality has equipped the bend of the stream for families and bathers: a place to sunbathe or cool off, which shows another face of the nature park.

History and curiosities
In the square of San Vigilio di Marebbe stands the monument to Caterina Lanz, born in the village in 1771. On 2 April 1797, tradition recounts, the young woman — then twenty-six — faced armed only with a pitchfork the French soldiers who were attempting to desecrate the church and cemetery of Spinga, a frazione of Rio di Pusteria where she had moved. For this deed she is still called the Joan of Arc of Tyrol.
The bronze statue was placed in 1971, the year of the bicentenary of her birth. It should also be noted that historians and scholars still debate the real participation of Caterina Lanz in the clash, if not her very historical existence.

ITINERARY
From the centre of San Vigilio di Marebbe (1191 m) take the Strada Val dai Tamersc and reach the Spiaggetta Ciamaor (1230 m), after about 2 km. Continue on the same road to Lake Creta (1275 m) and the restaurant of the same name. Another 500 metres further on, on the right, a dirt road starts with signs for the Pederù mountain hut. At the small bridge over the San Vigilio stream (1285 m) turn right and return to San Vigilio di Marebbe walking always on the orographic left of the valley.

EXCURSION DATE
20 September 2026

STARTING POINT
San Vigilio di Marebbe

REFRESHMENT POINT
Chalet Le Dla Creda or Ristorante Lago della Creta

AUTHOR'S SUGGESTIONS
To enjoy the lake more fully, we recommend stopping for lunch or a snack on the terrace of the Ristorante Lago della Creta.

SAFETY ADVICE
The practicability of the proposed itinerary, like all mountain morphology, is subject to environmental changes due to natural events and weather conditions. Therefore, before setting off, consult the competent tourist offices and/or the reference mountain huts.
Our GPX tracks are indicative only, that is, the route was carried out in the best possible conditions of the paths and weather of that day. Therefore always assess on site what to do.
Also remember to assess the route based on your physical abilities, training and the equipment you have.
It is advisable to leave word with someone about the itinerary you intend to do.
Remember that the emergency number is 112.

EQUIPMENT
It is recommended to have equipment suitable for the route, the weather conditions and the season: windproof and/or rainproof jacket, map and/or GPS device, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, first aid kit, specific clothing, gloves, backpack with food and drinks.

RECOMMENDED MAPS
Tabacco 031 Pragser Dolomiten – Enneberg / Dolomiti di Braies – Marebbe

INTERESTING LINKS
https://www.lagodellacreta.com/it

HOW TO ARRIVE
A22 Bressanone exit. Take the SS49 Pusteria and then the SS244 for Val Badia. At Longega turn left in the direction of San Vigilio di Marebbe.

PARKING AREA
San Vigilio di Marebbe. Parking 90 minutes on weekdays.
GPS coordinates: 46.698136, 11.930241

Parcheggio a San Vigilio di Marebbe

La Chiesa di San Vigilio

Monumento a Caterina Lanz

Si va verso il Lago della Creta

Spiaggetta Ciamaor

Seguiamo il segnavia 25

Ristorante Lago della Creta

Il Lago della Creta

Terrazza del Ristorante Lago della Creta

Nel parco del ristorante

Si continua l'anello

Si ritorna a San Vigilio di Marebbe

Il torrente San Vigilio

Siamo Quasi arrivati

San Vigilio di Marebbe