Maloja is a pass village on the Maloja Pass, which connects the Engadine with Bergell. At the same time, the village marks the political, geographical and linguistic boundary between the two regions. Mountains, lakes and forests surround Maloja; Italian and Bregagliot are spoken here. The landscape and character of the village lead from the mountain pass to marshes, glacial potholes and the traces of the painter Giovanni Segantini.
For getting around, the Engadin Bus connects Maloja with Cinuos-chel; around 30 vehicles also connect St. Moritz with Lagalb. As routes and timetables may change, check the latest information before travelling.
Glacial Potholes and Ancient Marshlands
The Gletschertöpfe bei Maloja protected area includes 36 large and small glacial potholes, as well as raised bogs of national importance. There is an easy-to-walk circular trail in the area. The path from the village to the tower is suitable for pushchairs; local conditions may vary by season. An educational trail with information panels by the glacial mills explains how this natural phenomenon is formed and highlights the area’s distinctive flora.
The Palü Marcia marsh also gives a sense of the scale of the landscape: its peat layers are up to eight metres thick. It is one of the last ancient marshes in the Alpine arc. The glacial potholes and the marsh reveal different sides of the landscape—here, the landforms left by glaciers; there, a marsh with deep peat layers.
Lake and Pass Trails Throughout the Year
Depending on the season, Lake Sils near Maloja offers different activities. In summer, you can swim, go boating and try stand-up paddleboarding; check local conditions before taking part. In winter, the lake can be used for ice skating when the ice is thick enough. Ice thickness is crucial.
At the Maloja Pass, panoramic trails and opportunities for cycling and hiking are part of the landscape experience, with views of glaciers and waterfalls. From Maloja, an approximately two-hour hike also leads to the triple watershed at Lunghin Pass. Those interested in traces of historic routes can find an approximately eight-metre-long rock ledge with remnants of Roman cart tracks at Malögin, on the hiking trail from Maloja to Casaccia. It is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from Maloja.
Segantini’s Studio and the History of the Landscape
Giovanni Segantini and his family lived in Maloja from 1894 until his death. The Segantini Atelier is a wooden replica of the Engadine pavilion at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair, designed by the artist himself. The Sentiero Segantini starts here and is an approximately two-hour walk divided into 14 stages. Information panels along the route document the artist’s life and work. The route leads to Torre Belvedere and the glacial mills, descends via Blaunca to Lake Sils and ends at the family cemetery. Trail conditions may vary.
Pro Natura hosts the permanent exhibition “The Landscape History of Maloja: Geology, Flora and Fauna, People” in the Belvedere tower. Check the latest exhibition details before your visit. The exhibition connects natural and cultural history; the information panels on the educational trail by the glacial mills focus separately on the phenomenon of glacial mills and the local flora.
Trails Between Art, History and Regions
The smugglers’ trail, “Percorso dei Contrabbandieri – Capel,” is an approximately one-and-a-half-hour hike south from Maloja to Lägh da Bitabergh. Its 17 stops offer insights into the smugglers’ lives and adventures. The trail explores a historic source of livelihood for the local population: smuggling played a role from the early 19th century well into the 20th century. The estimated times are close: about two hours for the Sentiero Segantini and around one and a half hours for the smugglers’ trail. The themes, however, are quite different—Segantini’s life and work on the one hand, and the history of smuggling on the other.
For a longer trip, the multi-day Via Bregaglia runs from Maloja to Chiavenna. It is about 34 kilometres long and can be completed in three or four stages. The first stage passes through forests and meadows towards Vicosoprano, past historic and natural monuments: in Maloja, Torre Belvedere and the glacial mills; in Casaccia, the ruins of the Church of San Gaudenzio; and in Vicosoprano, the Pretorio. Another perspective on the region is offered by the Inn Cycle Path: its first two stages run from Maloja in the Upper Engadine to Zernez.
Summer Programme and Winter Activities
Culture and activities also shift with the seasons. During the summer season, the Chiesa Bianca hosts exhibitions, concerts and celebrations; check the current programme before your visit. Built in 1884, the church is dedicated to Saint Gaudenz and forms part of the ensemble that includes Maloja Palace, Schweizerhaus and Belvedere. Restaurant Cavloc is open only in summer and serves local specialities; check its current opening status before visiting.
In winter, the Maloja Aela ski area has a platter lift, a pony lift and a snow tubing facility. The Aela ski lift runs from Maloja at 1,817 m above sea level to the small summit at 2,100 m. At the snow tubing facility, a lift carries riders and their tubes back to the top at the end of the specially prepared slope. Winter operations depend on snow conditions and opening hours. Maloja is also the starting point for the 21- or 42-kilometre Engadin Ski Marathon; check the dates and route details for the relevant edition.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Bever, La Punt-Chamues-Ch, Pontresina, St. Moritz, Zuoz, Samedan, Celerina/Schlarigna, Silvaplana, Surlej, S-Chanf, Madulain, Soglio Gr, Sils/Segl Baselgia, Castasegna, Bondo Gr, Stampa, Casaccia, Bregaglia, Samaden, Sils im Engadin
For the regional travel overview: GraubĂĽnden.
