Il Malögin

Casaccia

From Maloja, near the large postal service square, at the height of the typical Hotel Schweizerhaus, you take the little dirt road that leads to the nearby Belvedere Castle. The Marmitte dei Giganti (Giants' potholes) are located in the surrounding area and can be observed by following the various short paths with indications. From the belvedere in front of the fortification - with an excellent view on the upper part of Val Bregaglia - a path descends to the base of the rock on which the tower rests. When you reach a marshy plateau - here you can arrive more directly from the village of Maloja - you must continue to the right following and crossing the course of the torrent. Afterwards you reach a rocky ridge in whose vicinity a sign indicates the plaque with the engraving of wagon wheels that dates back to the first century AD.  The steep slope of the wood below is descended through a series of diagonals at the end of which there is a traverse in the direction of the foaming torrent of the Val da Pila. After crossing it, the trail descends to the vast plateau near the houses of Cavril, rejoining the main road of the Maloja Pass. Continue along the path that remains in the woods parallel to the road and, further on, borders a hump beyond which you reach what remains of the ancient church of San Guadenzio, dedicated to the Saint who - it is said - converted the population to Christianity in the 4th century. The church was the scene of stormy events during the transition to the Protestant Reformation and was abandoned in the eighteenth century. Since then it fell into ruin. Now the path passes between the arches of its nave and exits from the main entrance. It follows the crossing of a new water course called "la Canaleta" and a traverse well carved in the steep grassy banks that overlook the houses of Casaccia. At the end of the path you reach the vicinity of the ruins of the ancient "Torr", from which the tower of Maloja and the entire route are clearly visible. With one last descent, you reach the center of the village.