Map

Thumbnail for the map of the modified Schweizmobil 'Senda Lais da Macun' (756) hiking trail, opens link to interactive web map.
Source1

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile of the modified Schweizmobil 'Senda Lais da Macun' (756) hiking trail.
Source1: Bundesamt für Landestopografie; Drawn with schweizmobilplus.ch

Useful Links

Route Source
Train Station
Free Parking
Weather

Short Description

‘Senda Lais da Macun’, or “Macun lakes trail”, in Graubünden, Switzerland, is a demanding day hike route that leads – as per the name – to the Macun lake plateau, 2600 meters above sea level. (The highest point of the route being around 2940 m).

The Macun plateau is the only enclave of the Swiss national Park of Graubünden. Apart from its over 20 small alpine lakes, it is also home to a colony of capricorns.

The Schweizmobil route does not include the round tour of the lakes, weirdly, while mine does.

I’ve also inverted the suggested direction, mainly because the last Train back to Lavin leaves 45 minutes later than the last train back to Zernez and I wanted to give us as much leeway as possible. Also, I figured it would be easier to find free parking in the much less touristic village of Lavin than in Zernez. I was right.

Notes

  • Please do not leave the marked area in the Macun plateau to give the animals their space.
  • Careful at the highest point of the route. There is a left turn that is easily missed, as it looks like the trail continues straight (which would be a mistake.)

Impressions

Our route starts in the charming small village of Lavin at the river Inn, which we soon cross to begin our ascent to the Macun Plateau, first through pine forests, then bleak but beautiful, typically rugged alpine landscape of Graubünden.

The village fountain of Lavin, Grisons, Switzerland, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in September 2020
Interesting fountain.

A full week’s worth of cardio later, we’d reached the famed Macun plateau, and the lakes – the Lais da Macun – did not disappoint.

Lai dal Dragun, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
Lai dal Dragun (“Dragon’s Lake”)

From the clear, blue Lai dal Dragun, which is supposedly home to a small dragon, to the cloudy green, fish shaped Lai da la Mezza Glüna, to the turquoise Lai Sura and all the small lakes around and inbetween, there’s a huge variety of uniquely beautiful mountain lakes to behold. And all of that against the backdrop of the Graubünden Alps, including the Silvretta range. A magical place to be.

The Lais da Macun Alpine lake plateau, with the alps in the background, as seen from the Fuorcletta da Barcli during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
A look back at the Lais da Macun.

We took as much time to bask in the fantastic atmosphere as we dared (because we preferred to arrive at Zernez before dark), then made our way up to Fuorcletta da Barcli for the final leg up to 2940 meters above sea level (9645.669 feet).

The Graubünden Alps, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
Gorgeous View from near the top.

Having averted disaster by noticing the left turn at the top late but better late than never, we made our descent to Zernez, arriving just after sunset with very tired feet but a head full of beautiful new memories.

This was one of our longest hikes to date. Factoring in the terrain and altitude, as well as the intensity, it was probably the hardest. In terms of sheer length (of both time required and distance including altitude meters traveled) though, ‘Appenzeller Alpenweg’ still holds the crown with a calculated 42 “Leistungskilometer” (“Performance Kilometers”).

Would you like to share your own experiences with this hike? Do you have any questions? Something to add? Feel free to leave a comment below 🙂


Route Report / Gallery

Full size images without watermarks are available for licensing to interested parties. Check romans.pictures for a selection of my favorites, or contact me for details.

  • The village of Lavin, Grisons, Switzerland, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in September 2020
  • The village fountain of Lavin, Grisons, Switzerland, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in September 2020
  • Bridge over the river Inn in Lavin, Grisons, Switzerland, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in September 2020
  • View of the Graubünden / Grisons Alps during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Switzerland.
  • Lai dal Dragun, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai dal Dragun, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai dal Dragun, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai dal Dragun, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai da la Mezza Glüna, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai da la Mezza Glüna, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai da la Mezza Glüna, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai d'Immez, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Lai d'Immez, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • View of the Graubünden Alps, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • View of the Graubünden Alps, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • View of the Graubünden Alps, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Hiking Waysign showing we're at Fuorcletta da Barcli
  • The Lais da Macun Alpine lake plateau, with the alps in the background, as seen from the Fuorcletta da Barcli during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • The Graubünden Alps, as seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • View of the Graubünden alps and a valley, seen during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.
  • Image of Zernez, entering from the north at nightfall at the end of the during the 'Senda Lais da Macun' hiking trail in Graubünden, Switzerland, September 2020.

NEWSLETTER

Don’t miss a hike 🙂

Basic Data

Date of Hike:2020-09-04
Participants:Roman, Jenny
Max. Technical Difficulty:T3+:
Difficult Mountain Trail

Stats

Roman’s Version

Km23.3
Net Hours (Est.)8.6
Net Hours (Act.)8
Ascent (m)1660
Descent (m)1621
Max. Alt. (m)2940
Loop?No
Cable Car?No

“Official” Version

Km22
Net Hours (Est.)8
Ascent (m)1600
Descent (m)1600
Max. Alt. (m)2940
Loop?No
Cable Car?No
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