Lake Davos

The Davosersee is a lake at the eastern edge of Davos, in the canton of Graubünden, at about 1,560 metres above sea level, and it is the main place for summer swimming and winter skating in the town. Davos is often described as the highest town of its size in Europe, and its lake sits at nearly the same height, in a broad, open valley with spruce forest on the slopes and bare peaks above. The setting is high Alpine, but the lake itself is gentle in character, with grassy banks, tree-lined paths and a view down the valley toward the town.

The lake is natural, with its level controlled by a weir, and it is used for recreation and fishing. In the summer months, a lido on the shore offers a place to swim, sunbathe and picnic, and the water, although cool, warms enough in July and August for a dip. Boats and stand-up paddleboards can be hired in season, and a path circles the lake, so a walk or cycle around it is easy. The path is flat and suitable for families, strollers and people with limited mobility, and it takes about an hour to walk around at a relaxed pace. Fishing is allowed with the right permit, and the lake has trout and other species.

In winter, the lake freezes if the weather is cold enough, and the surface is used for skating and, in some years, for other winter activities, though safety depends on the thickness of the ice and local advice, so always check before you step on it. The surrounding paths are prepared for winter walking, and cross-country ski trails run close to the shore. The scene of a frozen lake framed by snow and mountains has long been associated with Davos, which became famous in the nineteenth century as a health resort for people with lung disease. Writers, artists and doctors came here for the clear, dry air, and Thomas Mann set his novel The Magic Mountain in a Davos sanatorium.

The lake is close to several of the town's other sights. The Kirchner Museum, devoted to the German expressionist painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who lived and worked in the Davos region, is in the town, and the village of Monstein, a historic hamlet with a tiny brewery and a mining museum, is a short trip away. The Schatzalp, a former sanatorium turned hotel with a botanic garden, is reached by a funicular. In summer, hiking and mountain biking trails start from the town, and in winter the ski slopes of Parsenn and Jakobshorn are close.

Davos has good public transport, and the lake is a short walk or bus ride from the centre, with parking nearby. Access to the lake is free, though the lido charges an entry fee, and opening dates vary by season. The lake suits families, walkers and anyone looking for a calm outing. Allow one to two hours. Bring sun protection even in cool weather, since the sun is strong at altitude, and a jacket for evenings.