Grafsee is a high-altitude lake in northern Italy, sitting over 2,000 metres above sea level in a quiet alpine setting that rewards every hiker who makes the climb. It's the kind of place that feels wonderfully remote, yet remains accessible on a clear day trip.

The lake sits roughly 500 metres above the nearby Hatzlacke, and the terrain between them offers a genuine taste of high mountain scenery - rocky slopes, thin air, and sweeping views. The water itself is remarkably clear and rated A-grade quality, but stays a chilly 11°C even during the height of summer, so a swim here is more of a bracing challenge than a relaxing dip. Trout of various kinds swim in its depths, sustained by rain and melting snow rather than any river or stream, since the lake has no natural inflow or outflow.

How to get there

• Kematen — trail no. 5, moderate difficulty, leads past Hatzlacke on the way up to Grafsee

Practical information

• Water temperature stays cold year-round (around 11°C) - swimming is only for the hardy
• The Gruben alpine hut, just south of the lake, offers a spot for a snack along the route

Local legend has it that the lake got its name after a count was turned into water - a fitting story for such a mysteriously still and cold body of water.