St. Moritz

The Corviglia and Piz Nair ski and hiking area rises directly above St Moritz, reachable by a sequence of funiculars and cable cars that turn the steep slope into a comfortable ascent. At the top stations you step out into wide panoramic terraces facing a chain of glaciated peaks, lakes and valleys that seem to run in parallel lines toward the horizon. In winter, a dense network of groomed ski pistes and freeride routes spreads out below, with mountain restaurants serving roesti and soups on sun decks. In summer, marked trails lead across open ridges and down to side valleys, rewarding even short walks with views and encounters with alpine flora. Information boards recall Olympic and World Championship races held on these slopes, adding a sporting layer to the landscape. Clear days are best, but even changing weather can be dramatic, with clouds pouring over passes while patches of sunlight pick out individual summits far across the Engadin, especially towards evening in this part of Switzerland.

Not far from the busy lakefront, the path to Lej da Staz leads you quickly into a quieter world of forest and marshland. After a gentle walk through larch and stone pine woods, the trees open onto a small moor lake whose dark water reflects reeds, trunks and distant summits. In summer, wooden bathing jetties and a simple lakeside restaurant make this a favourite spot for locals who prefer a more relaxed swim than the main lake offers. Early autumn brings golden needles on the larches and often morning mist rising off the surface, ideal for photography and unhurried circuits on the surrounding trail. In winter, the frozen basin and snow covered banks feel almost theatrical in their stillness, broken only by the crunch of boots or the call of birds. Reaching Lej da Staz on foot, by bike or on cross country skis shows how quickly untamed nature begins just beyond the edges of the resort streets, yet remains easily accessible for a short escape.

Muottas Muragl is a classic viewpoint above St Moritz, but it still feels surprisingly intimate. A historic red funicular climbs through forest and rock to a broad viewing terrace that opens suddenly over the whole chain of Engadin lakes. From here you can trace the curve of the valley as it bends past Sils, Silvaplana and St Moritz, with high peaks forming a serrated horizon. Well signposted paths offer panoramic hiking trails, some looping gently across slopes dotted with pines, others continuing toward nearby summits. Sculptures and art benches along the way invite short pauses to study the view from different angles. In the evening, a mountain restaurant with large windows turns the changing light into a slow performance, making sunset dinners especially memorable. In winter, a long sledging run back toward the valley adds a playful option for non skiers, while clear, cold nights reward those who stay late with bright stars over silent ridges. It is a place many visitors remember long after leaving the valley.

The historic centre of St Moritz Dorf climbs a sunny slope above the lake, mixing grand hotels with older houses and narrow passages. Around the central square you find flag lined facades, discreet luxury boutiques and traditional Engadin houses with sgraffito decorations scratched into thick plaster. Small stairways link levels, revealing unexpected courtyards and passages between buildings. From certain corners, church towers line up with distant peaks, creating classic postcard scenes that change with every turn. Cafes with polished wood interiors and patisseries displaying local specialities such as Engadiner nut tart invite you to linger between walks or ski days. In the evening, lights from shop windows, hotels and street lamps reflect off polished stone and winter snow, turning the compact core into an intimate stage set. Visiting in shoulder seasons, when the streets are quieter, reveals the underlying rhythm of an international Swiss resort that still retains textures of its older, high valley community, helping you stitch together the resort skyline and the surrounding mountains.

St Moritz Lake Promenade curves around the water at just the right height to frame mountains, town and sky in a single sweep. In winter, the frozen surface hosts snow polo tournaments, horse races on ice and temporary walkways that let you step far out into the valley. In summer, the same basin turns into a mirror for sailing boats, stand up paddlers and distant peaks. A well kept path follows the shore past sculptures and viewing benches, with side trails leading into larch woods and toward quiet picnic spots. Early mornings bring joggers moving through thin mist, while late afternoons fill with families, hotel guests and locals strolling between town and forest. You can pause at small cafes or kiosks for coffee and cake, then continue as the light changes minute by minute. However long you stay, the combination of high altitude air, shifting reflections and subtle sounds of water, hooves or runners creates a continuously unfolding alpine stage that captures the character of this famous resort.