Winter hiking trail to Lake Cavloc

Maloja, at the south-western end of Lake Sils, links two fascinating landscapes: the Upper Engadine lake plateau and Bregaglia Valley. This pass village has been the starting point for the legendary Engadine Ski Marathon since 1969. But this paradise for cross-country skiers also has plenty in store for winter hikers. The trail described here plunges into the Val Forno, to the south of Maloja. The river Orlegna, which flows through the valley, has its source on the Forno Glacier close to the Italian border.From Maloja village or Kulm, hikers first cross the Orden plain to reach the Salecina holiday resort and training centre. This first section criss-crosses the sunny Orden circular ski trail. Then, a wide forest trail leads up towards the lake. This route is also used by seasoned cross-country skiers, snowshoe trekkers and ski tourers. There are frequent places where the trees thin out to reveal unimpeded views of the majestic Piz da la Margna peak. After a comfortable ascent across some high moorland to Lake Cavloc (Lägh da Cavloc), you can pause for a rest. The little Cavloccio Restaurant is closed in winter, but you can relax on its terrace and let your gaze wander up to the Piz Salacina peak.Shortly after the lake, which is located in a depression hollowed out by the glacier, you reach the pastures of Alp da Cavloc. Many visitors already start their homeward journey here. But they are missing something! The route after the pastures is no less serene – on the contrary: a little path leads through secluded, dream-like terrain to Plan Canin. There is a parting of the ways here: in one direction to Val Muretto and in the other, to Vadrec del Forno, Graubünden's second-longest glacier. You turn when you reach the clearing, and follow the same section of the route out of the valley again and back to Maloja