Lake Sils

Silsersee (Romansh: Lej da Segl), beside the village of Sils im Engadin/Segl, is the largest lake in the canton of Graubünden. It sits in the Upper Engadine at about 1,797 m above sea level, between the Maloja Pass and Lake Silvaplana, and covers roughly 4.1 km².

What is Lake Sils like?

The lake belongs to the chain of Upper Engadine lakes. It reaches a maximum depth of about 71 m, with an average near 35 m. Sils (made up of Sils-Maria and Sils-Baselgia) lies on its shore, and Maloja marks the south-western end. The municipality of Sils also includes Fex and Grevasalvas. The slim Chastè peninsula juts into the water and is among the most photographed spots on the lake.

How do you get there?

Aim for Sils-Maria; the shore is a short walk from the village centre. The village lies on the road through the Upper Engadine, and local buses link Sils with St. Moritz, Silvaplana and Maloja. You do not need a car once you arrive, since the best walks start right in the village.

What can you see and do?

• Chastè peninsula. A short forest walk that many visitors extend into the Fex valley.
• Fex valley. A quiet valley you can explore on foot or by horse-drawn carriage.
• Nietzsche House in Sils-Maria. The philosopher spent seven summers here between 1881 and 1888. It now houses a museum with first editions, letters and manuscripts, and an English translation of the displays is available digitally.
• St. Lorenz church in Sils-Baselgia. It is documented as early as 1536.
• Trails on the northern shore. The area around Plaun da Lej and Grevasalvas is popular with hikers.
• Wasserweg trail. It starts at the Furtschellas mountain station and takes about 2.5 hours, passing six small lakes.

When should you visit?

In summer the lake frames hikes and shoreline strolls. Autumn and winter transform the Upper Engadine landscape, but trail conditions change from month to month, so check with the local tourist office before heading out.

Frequently asked questions

Is Silsersee the largest lake in Graubünden? Yes. At about 4.14 km² it ranks first in the canton.

How deep is it? Up to about 71 m at the deepest point, around 35 m on average.

How is Silsersee different from Silvaplanersee? They are two separate lakes in the Upper Engadine. Silsersee lies higher up, closer to the Maloja Pass, while Silvaplana is further toward St. Moritz.

What pairs well with a walk by the lake? The Chastè peninsula, the Fex valley and the Nietzsche House museum in Sils-Maria.