Autumn Magic in the Upper Engadin

My dears,

Autumn in the Engadin is not simply a season – it is a phenomenon. When the larches dip their needles in deep gold and the mountain peaks are already dusted with the first icing sugar of snow, this alpine region shows its most beautiful and magical side.

Today I am taking you to two of my absolute favourite places, which capture this autumn magic perfectly: Lake Staz and Lake Sils. Two lakes, two moods, one unforgettable experience.

1. Lake Staz: a firework of gold (the perfect reflection)

Do you know that moment when you stand by a mountain lake early in the morning, the air still icy and clear, and the sun is just climbing over the peaks? That is how Lake Staz near St. Moritz feels in late autumn.

Lake Staz is a gem, framed by dense forest. When the sun hits the larches, the colours positively explode: a brilliant orange-gold against the dark green of the spruces.

What makes this place so spectacular is the stillness and the atmosphere of the morning. The cool night air lets a fine mist dance above the surface. This delicate veil, drifting gently over the mirror-smooth water, gives the scene something unreal and fairytale-like. On windless days the surface becomes a perfect mirror, turning the whole mountain panorama and the golden larch forest upside down. It is a fascinating symmetry, where you can hardly tell where sky and water part. The little wooden jetty reaching into the lake practically invites you to sink into this calm and simply watch as the golden light makes the snow-covered peaks glow.

2. Lake Sils: mystery and majestic expanse

A few kilometres further west, near the Maloja Pass, Lake Sils awaits you with a completely different but equally captivating mood. It is larger, windier, more majestic.

On the morning this photo was taken, the lake was shrouded in a veil of fog and low-hanging clouds. In the damp cold, the golden-brown larch forests look mysterious and wild. The light struggles to break through the clouds, lending the scene a deep, melancholic beauty.

Here you feel the power of nature. The fog swallows the outlines of the mountains and only hints at which giants are hiding behind it. The water's surface is silky smooth and reflects the clouds and the muted gold of the forest in soft shades of blue. It is a place that compels you to turn inward and shows you how varied and dramatic the Engadin landscape can be.

My conclusion: contrasts that enchant

Whether it is the lively clarity wrapped in fine mist at Lake Staz or the mysterious mood at Lake Sils – the Engadin autumn is a masterpiece of contrasts. It shows you the Alps in their full range: from radiant, sun-spoiled splendour to mystical, fog-veiled drama.

If you get the chance, pack your hiking boots, your warm jacket and, of course, your camera. See for yourself how the larches turn the Engadin to gold. It is a sight that will not let go of you.

I would be very happy to hear your feedback via my contact form.

Warm regards,

Janet