Champfer: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Located between Silvaplana and St. Moritz in the Upper Engadine, the municipality of Champfèr offers a splendid view of Lake Champfèr and the surrounding mountain landscape. The Ova da Suvretta stream cheerfully babbles through the village. Champfèr is especially popular due to its peaceful atmosphere away from the usual tourist paths.
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Champfer - Must-see attractions
Lake Silvaplana
The village of Silvaplana on the northern shore, with its just under 1,100 inhabitants, is the tourist center and at the same time a tranquil starting point for a vacation by the lake. The good winds on Lake Silvaplana are very popular among water sports enthusiasts for kiting and surfing. The brave dare to take a plunge into the cool mountain lake even in summer. Athletes circle the lake on a roughly 16 km path on foot or by mountain bike. The route with a hilly profile runs high above the water along with fantastic panoramic views.
Segantini Museum
No other painter succeeded like the Italian Segantini in capturing the uniqueness of the Swiss mountain world. The artist created his famous Alpine triptych on the Schafberg. Today, the artwork can be admired in the dome hall of the Segantini Museum. The museum is also worth visiting for the view over Lake St. Moritz. The dome building is surrounded by trees and nestles into the mountain world of the Engadin. In front of the museum stands a marble sculpture that was intended for Segantini's tomb.
Muottas Muragl
For more than 100 years, a funicular railway has been running from Punt Muragl to Muottas Muragl. The mountain can also be explored on a hike. It is worth making a detour to Schafberg or Alp Languard. Schafberg is also known for the painter Segantini, who died here in 1899. At the time of his death, he was working on his famous Alpine triptych. The Segantini hut, which now houses a restaurant, is named after him.
Lake of Champfèr
Surrounded by dense forests and picturesque mountains, the deep blue shimmering Lake Champfèr exudes a special tranquility. Fish frolic in its crystal-clear waters. However, you are not allowed to cast a fishing line here without the appropriate permit. Numerous hiking trails run around Lake Champfèr. A popular circular hike starts at the Surlej Bridge and leads towards St. Moritz along the lakeshore. Hike back on the opposite shore and through the forest over Crest'Alta.
Engadine Museum
The Engadine Museum houses a wide range of artifacts, including furniture, costumes, and everyday objects that illustrate the traditional way of life in this part of the Swiss Alps. It is a cultural heritage of the Engadine region. One of the highlights of the museum is its collection of intricately carved wooden interiors from the 16th to 18th centuries, designed in the local sgraffito style. These historical rooms provide insight into the domestic life of the Engadine inhabitants in past centuries.
Lake St. Moritz
On a boat trip, let the Alpine scenery pass you by. Alternatively, explore the region by walking around the lake. With a length of 4.5 km, this is easily done with a stroll and a picnic break on the shore. Bike tours along the shore or action-packed mountain bike tours in the mountain world high above the lake make you eager for an active holiday. You can also go high on family-friendly hiking tours in the Engadine mountain world with magnificent panoramic views over your holiday destination.
Champfer - Secret spots
Engadine Museum
The Engadine Museum in St. Moritz near Champfèr is housed in a building specifically constructed for it in 1906. The museum includes 21 exhibition rooms with interiors from five centuries, which can also be admired as part of a private tour upon request. Visitors are welcome from Thursday to Sunday.
Mars Lake
The dreamy bathing lake Lej Marsch is located near Champfèr in the Engadin. Surrounded by dense forests and high mountains, the deep blue mountain lake is a true jewel of the Alps. In summer, you can swim in the lake or have a picnic on the shore, while in winter it serves as a starting point for extended hikes.
Fextal
About a 15-minute drive separates Champfèr from the Fex Valley near Sils in the Engadin. In the past, the picturesque valley with its quaint mountain villages was a starting point for smuggling goods to and from Italy. Today, the Fex Valley is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. The route from Sils to the Muott'Ota viewpoint is popular.
Julier Pass
The Julier Pass near Champfèr in the canton of Graubünden serves as a connection between the Oberhalbstein and the Engadin. As the starting point of the Bündner Haute Route, a 300 km long long-distance hiking trail, the Julier Pass is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts. The pass road is characterized by numerous hairpin bends and is passable all year round.
Champfer - In 3 days
Day 1
If you want to take a short trip into the untouched nature of the Swiss Alps, Champfer is the perfect place for you. The small village is picturesquely situated between two lakes with views of the snow-covered peaks and surrounded by dense forests. Right after your arrival, you can clear your head with an initial hike and take deep breaths of the refreshing mountain air. Lake St. Moritz is considered a jewel of the Engadine lake landscape and offers an enchanting backdrop for nature lovers. It stretches over 1,700 meters above sea level. There are numerous picnic spots and hiking trails nearby that allow you to explore the breathtaking surroundings. You can also rent a boat to glide over the clear lake or circle it on a circular hiking trail. On the other side of Champfer, you can also hike to your heart's content: here around the much larger Lake Silvaplana.
Day 2
The second day is an adventure day that takes you into the world of the Swiss Alps: you embark on a spectacular train journey with the Bernina Express on the steepest railway tracks in the world and the highest in Europe. This panoramic journey takes you through 55 tunnels, over impressive viaducts, the UNESCO World Heritage route of the Rhaetian Railway, and along breathtaking mountain passes to the south. From the train windows, you are offered unparalleled photo opportunities of snow-covered peaks and deep blue lakes. Along the way, you have the chance to stop in small towns like Poschiavo and try the local cuisine. The picturesque train ride ends in the Italian town of Tirano, where you are greeted by palm trees. On the way back to Champfer, you can explore the historically significant Via Claudia Augusta, a historic Roman road across the impressive landscape of the Alps, or relax in the evening at the Samedan spa, where you can unwind in warm mineral springs and saunas.
Day 3
Your last day in Champfer begins with a trip to the nearby St. Moritz, one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. Here you can explore the luxurious boutiques and shops and perhaps purchase a souvenir or two. St. Moritz is also known for its excellent cafes and restaurants, where you can enjoy regional and international delicacies. Also visit the Engadine Museum to learn more about the culture and history of this region, and the Segantini Museum, dedicated to the eponymous Alpine painter. In the afternoon, you should make a detour to the Morteratsch Glacier on the border with Italy, one of the most impressive glaciers in Switzerland. It is over 7 kilometers long and stretches majestically between the peaks of the Alps. A guided tour through the glacier gorge and a walk on the hiking trails offer you the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of these ice masses before you begin your return journey in the evening.