Including a surface of 25,680 hectares, the Fanes-Senes-Braies nature park is one of the largest protected areas of South Tyrol. It comprises the municipalities of Badia, Braies, Dobbiaco, San Vigilio di Marebbe, La Ila and Valdaora. The mountain chains in the nature park are prevalently composed of sediment stones, sedimentary rocks such as limestone or Dolomite that have developed in the course of time out of micro-organisms living in the sea.

Particularly remarkable is the geologic morphology typifying the park. No other area in the Dolomites is that deeply characterised by karst. Channels, fissures and sink-holes are natural phenomenons that are characteristic karst elements and particularly popular for this park, impressing hikers and visitors of this nature park.

As the name of the park reveals, also the famous Lake Braies (Lago di Braies) belongs to this nature park. The so-called “pearl of the Dolomites“ is located in a romantic spot of land. Flanked by fantastic rocks and mountain peaks, it is an ideal place for relaxing and regaining one's strength. Beside its lake, Braies offers a further natural jewel, that is the Prato Piazza, an alpine high plateau extending at an altitude of 2,000 m a.s.l. This alpine meadow is of course also a popular destination for hikers, above all in summertime.

By the way: the municipality of Badia offers an educational trail that connects the Rüdederia and Rü farms above San Cassiano. This path boasts seven interactive panels and stages, focusing on the various forms of landscape.