Eine Runde durch das einsame Val Fedoz

The hike leads for the most part over paths and paths. Apart from the unmarked direct descent to Isola, it is unproblematic in terms of orientation. However, the markings in the Fedoz Valley itself have usually faded to a greater or lesser extent. 

The ascent first leads through sparse larch forest. In the area of the front Fedoz valley you have very nice views of Lake Sils with Isola, Plaun da Lej, Maloja and the mountains on the other side of the valley. Then the path leads only slightly uphill far into a lonely and quiet high valley.

Isola on its striking peninsula then forms another highlight.

From there you can also take the boat back to Sils, a great experience.

Recorded tour

Saturday, 25 August 2018 09:34

Distance: 17.7 km
Total time: 5 hours 9 minutes
Time in motion: 3 hours 39 minutes

Total speed: 3.4 km/h
Speed in motion: 4.9 km/h
Speed max.: 9.8 km/h

Ascent: 584 m
Descent: 716 m
Lowest point: 1781 m
Highest point: 2129 m

Isola with its unique location on Lake Sils with the goats and the corresponding cheese

Boat trip over Lake Sils from Isola

Stylish afternoon coffee at the Hotel Waldhaus

From the church in Sils-Baselgia you go briefly into the village (direction Sils-Maria). At the former Pension Chasté you continue half-right and follow the path that leads straight between dry stone walls through the meadows of the Sils plain to the wooded slope below the Hotel Waldhaus.

Once at the edge of the forest, follow a steep road straight ahead. At the (first) family fireplace, continue straight ahead, also on a road, uphill, until you come across the paved road that leads from Sils-Maria up into the Fex Valley. You walk on the road briefly to the right, but take directly the road, which branches off half-right. In a slight up and down it goes above the lowest houses of the Fextales through the forest, until you meet a signpost that points to the left on a path towards Val Fedoz. First in serpentines, then keeping to the left you reach a small saddle south of P. 1983.

For the ascent of Sils or the Sils plain to this point, there are several possibilities between which there is no decisive difference. The only important thing is that you arrive in this small saddle at the end. 

From here follow the mountain bike trail to the right towards Isola/Maloja. At the next junction you go half-left, following the mountain bike path towards Val Fedoz and Petpreir. First, it continues upwards in two serpentines before the path reaches the alpine meadows in the front Val Fedoz. From here you have a great view over Lake Sils in the direction of Maloja.

At Alm Petpreir, follow the signs for Val Fedoz, turn left off the mountain bike trail.

From here, orientation is easy: follow the trail on the (orographically) right side of the valley to the end of the designated trail at a small hunting lodge at P.2106. The trail is marked with signposts and easy to recognize, but the old markings are hardly visible, some passages can be quite muddy. At about 2010 m (signposts and two bridges) there is a first possibility for the way back to the other side of the valley.

At the hunting lodge at P.2106 (bench with table and fountain) the marked trail ends into the valley. Follow the signpost to the right over a somewhat hidden bridge over to the other side of the valley. From here, the markings are more frequent, but also somewhat faded. The trail on this side of the valley is a bit better developed further down, but also muddy, especially before Ca d'Starnum.

At Ca d'Starnum you reach the road that leads up from Maloja. First, follow this path downwards until it makes a striking 90° bend to the left just behind a bench on a glacier cut. On the right is a kind of alternative point.
Here an unmarked path branches off to the right, which leads steeply down to Isola. At the beginning of the bend, follow a track 90° to the right. After about 20 m you can see on the left isolated a small wooden gate for a footpath You go through this gate and follow, initially rather to the left, climbing tracks between Legerlen and Lärchen relatively steeply downhill. At about 1900 m, the trail turns a little to the right and then follows the steep ridge that borders the gorge with the waterfall of the Aua da Fedoz on the left, steeply down to Isola. 

If you are not sure, follow the road downhill towards Maloja. On the map Brüsciabräga take the road on the left that leads to Isola.

From Isola you follow the "hiking highway", first above the peninsula, then lake Sils in the direction of Sils. At the end of the lake you go to the left, with a beautiful view over the entire lake directly along the northern end of Lake Sils, to the beginning of the Chasté peninsula. Here you go briefly to the right and behind the small barrier, at the bicycle rack, back to the left to Sils-Baselgia.

From Isola you can also take the boat back to Sils (see timetable). The jetty is located from Isola directly on the road towards Maloja.