Lake Silvaplana Lake
Engadine lake popular for windsurfing and sailing
Above St. Moritz in the Upper Engadin, Lake Silvaplana draws windsurfers and kiteboarders in summer and cross-country skiers in winter; trails lead to alpine huts and views of surrounding peaks like Piz Corvatsch.
Lake Silvaplana at a Glance#
About Lake Silvaplana#
Lake Silvaplana is an alpine lake in the Upper Engadine valley of southeastern Switzerland, close to the resort towns of Silvaplana and St. Moritz. It is one of a chain of Engadine lakes and is fed and drained by alpine streams.
The lake is a seasonal center for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing in summer, and for ice-based sports in winter when it freezes. Visitors also use lakeside trails and viewpoints for mountain scenery and walks.
The lake and its shoreline settlements developed with alpine tourism in the 19th and 20th centuries and form part of the Engadine’s resort infrastructure.
Lake Silvaplana lies in the Upper Engadine in the canton of Graubünden, bordered by the villages of Silvaplana and Surlej and a short distance west of St. Moritz, set among high alpine peaks and valley meadows.
- Windsports: A popular wind- and kite-sports venue in summer thanks to reliable valley winds, with easy access from nearby mountain resorts.
How to Get to Lake Silvaplana#
Lake Silvaplana lies beside the village of Silvaplana in the Upper Engadin, a few kilometres from St. Moritz. The easiest public-transport approach is by Rhaetian Railway (RhB) to St. Moritz or nearby Samedan and then a short local PostBus or taxi ride to Silvaplana; the village centre and lakeshore are a short walk from the local stop.
By car follow the Engadin valley roads from St. Moritz/Samedan - the lake is directly adjacent to the village so parking and short walks from the village centre put you at the shore.
Tips for Visiting Lake Silvaplana#
- For calm, mirrorlike photos and quieter shore time visit early morning; afternoons in summer are typically windier and attract windsurfers and kitesurfers.
- Access the lake from the village of Silvaplana or the Surlej lakeshore parking area; regular regional buses from St. Moritz make the village easy to reach without driving.
- If you want wind-sport activity, aim for mid-to-late afternoon when the traditional Engadin winds (the Maloja/Plains breeze) pick up.
Best Time to Visit Lake Silvaplana#
Summer offers the best weather for outdoor and watersports, while winter attracts winter-sport visitors when the lake and surroundings freeze.
Weather & Climate near Lake Silvaplana#
Lake Silvaplana's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 17°C. Moderate rainfall (909 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -14° - -2° | -12° | 47 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 2.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -13° - -1° | -11° | 33 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 2.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -9° - 2° | -7° | 47 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 2.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -5° - 5° | -3° | 66 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.9 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 0° - 10° | 3° | 88 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 3° - 14° | 7° | 108 mm | overcast | 77% | 2.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 5° - 17° | 11° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 5° - 17° | 11° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 2° - 14° | 6° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | -3° - 9° | 1° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -8° - 3° | -6° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 2.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -12° - -1° | -11° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 2.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
