Lej Da Staz (Stazersee)

Lej da Staz is the best-known bathing lake of the Upper Engadine, a small lake in a forest clearing between Celerina and St. Moritz, and it is a good place to see how Swiss mountain lakes are used in summer. The name is Romansh, and the lake is also called the Stazersee. It lies at about 1,800 metres and is surrounded by the Stazerwald, a stand of pine and larch, and the water is clear and dark green, with the mountains of the Engadin rising on the horizon.

The lake’s popularity comes from its character as a natural swimming place. Being shallow and sheltered, it warms quickly in the summer sun, reaching temperatures that are comfortable for swimming, unlike many high mountain lakes that remain icy. A pier extends into the water, and there are changing cabins, toilets and a sunbathing lawn along the shore, with free loungers and chairs that can be rented for a small fee. The lake has no lifeguard, so swimmers go in at their own risk, and children need supervision, but the shore is gently sloping and the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. Facilities include fire pits, provided at some spots for barbecues, and many people bring picnics and make an afternoon of it.

Reaching the lake is easy. A footpath from Celerina leads through the woods in about fifty minutes on foot, or twenty minutes by bike, and the path is a pleasant route in its own right. The lake can also be approached from St. Moritz along the Stazerwald paths, and there is a restaurant at the lake, which offers food and drinks in the season, as well as a hotel nearby. Because the facilities are simple, many visitors prefer to bring their own food and drinks, and it is polite to take away rubbish.

The setting changes through the seasons. In early summer, the surrounding forest is fresh and green, and by autumn the larches turn gold and the light is clear, which makes the lake attractive to photographers. In winter, the lake freezes, and the paths around it are used for snowshoe and cross-country ski routes, and ice skating is possible when conditions allow. At sunrise, the peaks across the valley often glow red, which draws early risers with cameras.

The lake suits families, swimmers, walkers and cyclists. Combine it with a visit to Celerina and its old church, or with a cable car ride to Marguns for a view over the valley.