Lake Haider

This wonderful lake is located in the South Tyrolean holiday region Reschenpass, at about 1450 m of altitude and is a real paradise for nature and sports lovers during all seasons. Be it winter hikes around the lake, ice sailing, fishing or kitesurfing – Lake Haider offers leisure activities for all tastes a little bit south of Lake Reschen.

Nature hotels in South Tyrol

Lake Haider is not as famous as its big brother, Lake Reschen, which is one of the best photo spots in South Tyrol thanks to its immersed church tower. However, Lake Haider is a mostly untouched nature jewel with a dreamlike view of the Ortler massif. The water supply comes from Etsch river and Zerzer Bach. On the northern lakeshore, there is the village of St. Valentin auf der Haide that is part of the municipality of Graun.

Excellent fishing area

Fishers love Lake Haider in Vinschgau thanks to its richness in fish, especially for the magnificent vendaces. Also, the 15-m deep lake has trouts, chars, pikes and perches. It is not a surprise, that the district directly at lake of St. Valentin auf der Haide is called “Fischerhäuser” (Eng. fishermen’s houses). In the boat house or in the Restaurant Alpenrose, foreigners can pay the necessary fishing licence as well as the day ticket.

Fun for action lovers

Thanks to the excellent wind conditions, Lake Haider is perfect for surfing, sailing and kitesurfing in summer as well as for ice sailing and snow kiting in winter. Moreover, electric boats are allowed, but no motorboats with fuel driven exterior motors. From St. Valentin auf der Haide, active travellers can reach the ski, hike & bike resort Schöneben-Haideralm via a modern cableway.

Family-friendly circular tour

There is a family-friendly hiking path – ideal also for strollers – that allows travellers to hike around Lake Haider in approximately 1.5 hours. Several picnic areas invite to relax and to enjoy the dreamlike mountain panorama in Vinschgau. In the surroundings, you will as well look forward to wonderful cross-country ski runs or paragliding starting on Haideralm.