The Stazerwald Woodland & the Lej da Staz

Swiss stone pines, larches and mountain pines provide shade there, while rare species of moss and the endangered brown bog clover grow in ancient upland moors . Cross-country ski trails in the Winter and hiking trails in the Summer lead through the Stazerwald Woodland. Furthermore, the four-hectare Lej da Staz, one of the most popular swimming lakes in the region in the Summer, glistens in the midst of it all.

The hiking trails through the Stazerwald Woodland start directly from Pontresina Railway Station. The main routes lead to Lake of the Lej da Staz, a good three kilometres distant , and from there on to St. Moritz or Celerina. Visitors are advised to spend sufficient time and explore the natural surroundings on the many walks, which wind their way through the forest landscape.

Visitors, who dare the attempt of bathing in the Lake at St. Moritz, or in one of the other large lakes in the Engadin, will very likely be disappointed. The deep waters of these lakes barely get warmer than 17 Degrees Celsius in the Summer months. Lake Staz, on the other hand regularly achieves the 20-Celsius Degree mark despite its location at 1,809 metres above sea level. It is a shallow high-moor water with dark-coloured water, and it warms up much quicker in the sunshine. This has made the Lej da Staz Lake an absolute classic among the Engadin's bathing lakes. And, rightly so because it is ideally situated between St. Moritz and Pontresina in a wide, open clearing in the Stazerwald Woodland . Despite the bogs and reeds, there is enough room on the shore to spread a towel. There are two wide jetties and a beach to improve access to the water. However, visitors will not find themselves alone there in high Summer. There are - various barbecuing facilities the Lej da Staz Restaurant, including an eating place, a kiosk and a large outdoor leisure area to attract other visitors . However, there are also other popular bathing lakes in the vicinity, like the Lej Marsch and Lej Nair in St. Moritz.