Marmorera: Reservoir, mountains and history

Marmorera is a village whose history is closely linked to Lai da Marmorera. When the dam was built, the original village was destroyed and flooded; the present-day village was established above the lake. The dam is 91 metres high and made entirely of local earth. This combination of a waterside landscape and human intervention in the built environment shapes the view of the village.

Lake, mountains and trails

The area around Lai da Marmorera lies at an altitude of about 1,680 metres above sea level. Turquoise water meets the surrounding mountains of Graubünden here. The wider area is part of Parc Ela and includes protected natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Hiking trails around the lake lead through forests and to high plateaus such as Alp Flix, known for its biodiversity and small mountain lakes.

Lai da Marmorera can be reached from Tiefencastel or the Engadine via Silvaplana and the Julier Pass. There are only a few parking spaces in the village of Marmorera; take this into account when planning your journey.

Compare hikes and routes

The Marmorera–Alp Flix–Rona hike is marked as “Closed”. It starts in Marmorera Pardela, passes through a larch forest above Lake Marmorera, goes by the disused Gruba iron ore mining site, and continues via the Lais Blos lakes to the Plang da Crousch viewpoint. Check the current access status before planning to use the route.

Another designated route is Bivio–Marmorera–Alp Natons. It passes the barbecue area at Guet da Beiva and continues to the village of Marmorera; the route is designated as suitable for pushchairs. By contrast, the trail run around Lake Marmorera is rated difficult and covers 19.9 kilometres with 980 metres of ascent. Its route goes via Alp Radons, Alp Flix and Sur, then returns to Bivio over the dam. The stated difficulty, distance and ascent give a clear idea of the demands of this running route.

In winter, the Bivio–Marmorera return cross-country ski trail runs through high-alpine Swiss stone pine forest via Stalvedro to Marmorera. Snow conditions and seasonal preparations can vary; check these conditions before planning your outing. Hiking, trail running and cross-country skiing therefore differ both in their routes and in their respective levels of exertion and seasonal requirements.

Traces of old Marmorera

At the entrance to Marmorera, the words “La Resistenza” appear in large white letters on a house. The churches also tell a story of construction and change: Neu-Marmorera received a new, elegant little church in 1964. The roof of the Son Fluregn church is covered with natural stone slabs in the style of old Marmorera. One small church bell dates from 1640.

The ruins of Marmels Castle lie above the western end of the dam. The fortress is estimated to have been founded in the 11th century. Andreas von Marmels is believed to have been a ministerial of the Bishop of Chur and to have monitored the routes over the Septimer and Julier passes. The castle thus connects the landscape with a history of mountain passes and territorial rule.

The route to the ruins leads from the dam along a narrow, steep path, recommended only for experienced mountain hikers. Check the latest visitor information before setting out. This distinguishes the castle, which is a cultural site requiring a challenging approach, from the hiking and running routes described above.

Discover more destinations: Vaz/Obervaz, Riom-Parsonz, Tinizong-Rona, Cunter, Wiesen, Bivio, Lantsch/Lenz, Alvaneu Bad

For the broader travel overview: Albula.