Belvedere Tower

On top of the hill near Maloja stands the Belvedere Tower. Surrounded by nature, the tower looks out over the abyss that separates Engadin and Bregaglia.

From the summit you can enjoy a breathtaking 360° view. Despite its medieval appearence the building dates back to 1882. The castle was built as a personal residence by the eccentric Belgian Count Camille de Renesse, who at the end of the 19th century dreamed of transforming Maloja into a popular tourist destination for wealthy aristocrats. The Tower and the adjacent hotel, were completed after the Count's death, at the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1953, the Castle was bought by the Federal Nature Conservation Society. The hotel no longer exists, but the Tower has become the emblem of Maloja.

During construction of the Tower, seven deep glacial mills were discovered. The glacial mills were formed during the last ice age. They are deep and smooth holes in the rocks and are called "cauldrons of giants." During the retreat of the glaciers some boulders were trapped in the ice and began to spin around, forming deep holes. There have been 36 glacial mills discovered in the the nature reserve that surrounds the Tower.

In the summer, you can visit the Belvedere Tower, where there are several exhibitions.

Opening time:
10.00am until 5.00pm

Where?
From the Seganitni Atelier (opposite the Schweizerhaus), it takes appx. 15 miuntes.

Glacial mills

Next to the Tower, are thousand-year old glacial mills carved into the rocks by ancient glaciers.

The largest glacial mills are about 10m deep and 7m in diameter.

Where? Start at the Segantini Atelier and head towards the Belvedere Tower, then turn right to the glacial mills.

 

Segantini Cemetery

Final resting place of famous painter Giovanni Segantini.

Where?
Opposite the Sporthotel, turn left and walk 2 minutes to the cemetery.

Segantini Trail

In 1894, Giovanni Segantini chose to settle down in Maloja.
The famous pointillist painter, lover of alpine landscapes, found inspiration in the enchanting scenery and special light of this quiet mountain village. A hundred years after his arrival in Maloja, the Segantini Trail was created. It was designed by Basel photographers Labahrd and Galli. The Trail takes you on a wonderful 2-hour hike, which includes 12 stages. At each stage, there is an interpretive panel illustrating Segantini's life and works.

Starting at the Atelier, you will visit the special places that inspired Segantini, places where he painted several well-known paintings of majestic rocky landscapes. The tour ends with a visit to the small cemetery, where the visitor can pay respects at the family tomb.

Watershed on the Lunghin Pass

The hike from Maloja over the Lunghin Pass and the Pass da Sett (Septimer Pass) to Bivio ranks among the most spectacular mountain pass walks in the Alps. On the Lunghin Pass, there is a remarkable site to be seen: Europe’s only three-way watershed is situated at precisely the height of the Pass.

To the east, the water flows into the Inn and via the Danube into the Black Sea. To the northwest, the water flows into the Julia and then the Rhine, which eventually reaches the North Sea. The water in the Mera flows southwest into Lake Como and via the Po into the Mediterranean.

Where?
From Hotel Longhin follow the signs to Pila and Lunghin Lake.

Aela Roundtrip Walk (Maloja's local mountain)

The walk is appx. 2 hours.

The walk starts opposite of the Sporthotel, in the direction of the cemetery towards the Aela skilift and up the ski run apprx. 1 hour. At the top there is a great view of Val Bregaglia and the Upper Engadin mountains and lakes.


 

Grevasalvas

A typical Bregaglia summer farm pasture.

From Maloja
Start at Hotel Longhin following signs to Pila and Lunghin Lake.
After a steep ascent of appx. 20 min, take a right towards Grevasalvas.
From Grevasalvas, walk down to Plaun da Lej. From Plaun da Lej you can take the bus back to Maloja.
The entire hike takes appx. 1 ½ hours.

From Sils-Baselgia
From here, on a slightly ascending trail, you will pass through a larch forest to get to Grevasalvas.
Appx. 1 hour.

For those who prefer less of a descent, take the 1 ½-hour trail to Maloja via Blanca and Pila.

Lake Cavloc

Leave from Maloja to the children's playground at Aela. Follow signs to Lake Cavloc. At the Salecina hostel cross the bridge and follow the slightly ascending trail to lake Cavloc. For a more difficult and longer, but very beautiful trail, take the 3/4-hour detour past Bitabergh Lake, over the Orlegna Dam to Maloja.

Our recommendation:
Have a barbecue and take a refreshing swim in the lake.

Apprx. 2 1/2 hours roundtrip

 

Lunghin Pass

From Hotel Longhin, follow directions to Pila and Lunghin Lake (the source of the Inn River).
To the Lunghin Pass (2645 m) and wal another 45 minutes to the Septimerpass.

One-way walking time: 3 ½ hours

„La Palza“

From the Segantini cementary head in the direction of the Aela skilift.
At the wooden bench with the "Aela" sign, take a left. The ascent takes about 1/2 hour (in the direction of Hausberg Aela).
When you arrive, go left down the steep path. You will arrive at the moor near the vita parcours.

Vita-Parcours

Go in the direction of Silser Lake. At the begining of the Silser Lake, on the right hand side, is the begining of the vita parcours. For young and old! The parcour goes through the forest and along the moor. These are some of the highest moors in all of Europe.

Roman road

Along the right side of the Maloja Pass, with its 14 hairpin turns, is the Malögin Trail, an old Roman road. Certain stones along the trail still show wagon wheel ruts. On the trail to Cavloc Lake, there is an adventure circuit for families to enjoy.