Silvaplana: Lake, Wind and Engadin Culture

Silvaplana lies on Lake Silvaplana in the Upper Engadin at an altitude of 1,815 metres, at the beginning of the Inn Valley. The lake is the middle one of the three Upper Engadin lakes and lies between Lake St. Moritz and Lake Sils. Year-round leisure activities include activities on the lake and in the Corvatsch area at 3,303 metres above sea level. If you are looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around your interests: water sports, winter trails, ski slopes and local history offer different highlights.

Wind and water sports on the lake

Silvaplana is one of Europe’s high-altitude water sports spots known for its wind. Lake Silvaplana is considered a reliable sailing area in an alpine setting. The Maloja wind typically reaches three to six Beaufort during the day and only eases at sunset; its strength and course depend on the weather. Early morning is particularly calm for stand-up paddling, before the wind picks up around midday. Typical conditions therefore vary by time of day: calmer water in the morning, with more wind as the day progresses.

Silvaplana offers windsurfing courses for adults and children, as well as beginners and advanced participants. Test equipment and rental gear are also available; course and equipment offerings may change seasonally. Swiss Kitesurf’s snowkiting courses are also aimed at beginners and advanced participants. Depending on winter conditions and availability, they take place on the frozen Lake Silvaplana or at the Bernina Pass.

Water sports are subject to clear rules: only the official access and exit points may be used on Lake Silvaplana; a protected shoreline zone surrounds the lake. The use of all water sports equipment is prohibited on Lej Suot and Lej da Champfèr. Check the current zoning before a water sports session.

Winter trails, ski slopes and seasonal planning

The Corvatsch ski area offers more than 120 kilometres of pistes, 14 lifts and 34 slopes, freshly groomed every day. Since the lift and slope facilities may change, it is worth checking the latest resort information before your trip. A free electric shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes between Silvaplana and the Corvatsch cable car in Surlej during the summer and winter seasons. Check the current operating period and timetable when planning your trip.

Winter hiking trails lead through the Lake Silvaplana landscape to viewpoints and to mountain restaurants or alpine inns with sun terraces. The trails are regularly groomed and cleared. After snow clearance, posts mark the trails across Lake Silvaplana and Lej Suot. Snow and weather affect trail conditions and availability; check conditions before setting out. This makes it possible to plan slope activities and winter hiking as different options for your stay.

Village character, history and Engadin traditions

In the old village centre, Via Veglia runs past old Engadin houses decorated with sgraffito. Many houses bear inscriptions in Romansh. The Protestant Church of Sta. Maria is considered the oldest church in the municipality of Silvaplana. It is built in the late Gothic style and is of cultural and historical significance; the older church has been dated to the 11th century.

The landscape also tells the story of the village: the artificial Ova dal Sagl waterfall is fed by an 80-metre-long rock tunnel. The tunnel was built in 1873, after floods had partially destroyed Surlej in 1793. Crap da Sass Castle in Surlej was built around 1906 and remains privately owned by the Prager family. It is not open to the public; check access status before planning a visit.

A boulder on the lakeshore near Surlej is associated with Friedrich Nietzsche’s reported conception of the idea of eternal recurrence in August 1881. Recurring winter customs include the Schlitteda, a tradition in the Upper Engadin for 200 years: in Champfèr and Silvaplana, men ride horse-drawn sleighs through the snowy landscape while women sit at the front. For Chalandamarz, children in the Engadin drive away winter with cowbells; in Silvaplana, the festival is organised by secondary school students. Dates and programmes may vary from year to year.

More activities around Silvaplana

For walks and views, the Silvaplana Explorer hiking map features six viewpoints in the municipality and insights into local history. Check trail information against current conditions before setting out. There are also family-friendly cycle paths along Lake Silvaplana, away from traffic; their surface and condition may vary seasonally.

Lej Marsch is a moorland lake with fire pits, picnic areas, sunbathing lawns, toilets, a small sandy beach and a pier. Facilities may change seasonally. At the Mulets sports centre, the Freestyle Garden includes a 120-metre-long pump track, an eight-metre-long surfskate wave, a 30-metre-long skimboard facility, a dry-ski slope with rails and boxes, and three trampoline areas. Facilities and seasonal opening may change. At the ORMA distillery, you can book guided tours with a tasting of four ORMA whiskies; dates and availability may vary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Celerina/Schlarigna, Casaccia, Bever, Madulain, Samedan, Soglio Gr, Zuoz, Samaden.

To the main travel overview: Maloja.