Hatzlacke is a small mountain lake tucked away on the southern side of the Zillertal Alps in South Tyrol, Italy. It's a rewarding destination for hikers who enjoy quiet, unspoiled corners of the mountains — the kind of place where you can sit by crystal-clear water and forget about everything else.

Sitting at 1850 metres above sea level, just a kilometre north of Kematen, the lake is framed by alpine scenery that feels remote despite being relatively close to the valley. The water is famous for its outstanding drinking quality and remarkable clarity, though it stays chilly year-round, rarely climbing above 12–14°C even in summer. Since the lake has no inflows or outflows, it depends entirely on rain and melting snow, giving it a still, mirror-like surface that reflects the surrounding peaks beautifully.

How to get there

• Kematen near Sand in Taufers — trail no. 5, on foot, easy to moderate difficulty

Practical information

• The water has excellent drinking quality but stays cold, max 12–14°C even in summer
• Small trout species live in the lake
• No natural inflows or outflows feed the lake

Nature lovers often combine a visit here with a stop at the nearby Grafsee for a full day of alpine lake hopping.