Pragser Wildsee/Lago di Braies.

A few days ago, when I originally posted these pics, the Toblach library computer would not let me add the text to go with them. So, here goes:

Just when I thought I would be banished from High Alpine World (soon to be a Disney theme park) I found out that, just in the next valley to the west, there is a road that ascends the mountains to a height of 2,000 meters. That's as high as I was at the Sarlriedl. It's in a large nature park area, the Parco Naturale Fanes-Senes-Braies. The way up starts at the Pragser Wildsee, yet another emerald jewel of a lake nestled among the peaks. There is a small entry fee to pay with parking at the top of the mountain. I'm thrilled that it is so easy to get to a high alpine hiking area, but the downside is that I have to share it with hundreds of other hikers and bikers. I was a bit horrified at first as hikers were disgorged by the busload in the parking lot at the Plätzwiese/Prato Piazza. But the crowds soon dispersed. On my Tuesday hike I met no more than five other hikers and had the whole mountain almost to myself. The intensity of the solitude up there and of the wind whistling down from the imposing peaks is a unique experience. No matter, I was on my merry way on a hiking path that afforded ups and downs I could handle. It was glorious. Words fail me. It was the hike I dreamed of, an awesome array of ragged peaks and meadows carpeted with wild flowers, the air so pure and sweet it almost sears your lungs. Ahhhhhh, la natura!! I started fairly early as I knew that it would cloud over by midday (which it did).
There are lots of bikers. In the valleys they seem to run in herds, always racing at top speed, stopping for nothing. They seem not to see or enjoy anything along the way; the goal is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Their behavior mystifies me completely. On the mountain paths you see a different species of bikers (bi-cyclus masochistus) huffing and puffing non stop up the steepest slopes. What is the pleasure in that? I don't get it.