Nationalpark: Zernez – Munt Baselgia – Macunseen – Alp Zeznina – Lavin

Since 2000, the Swiss National Park has been enriched by the inclusion of the Macun lake district. Situated on a high plateau between Zernez and Lavin, the 23 small lakes align like pearls on a chain. Furthermore, the hike provides an impressive view of Munt Baselgia, unique vegetation on crystalline surface (including the only Swiss occurrence of the Pygmy buttercup) as well as the possibility to experience rock glaciers up close.

The loop at the Macunseen is an optional extension of the tour and takes an additional 50 minutes (not yet included above). However, this can be avoided by taking the direct path towards Lavin. 

Unique lake scenery of Macun

For the athletic hikers who undertake the whole ascent on foot, the trek begins directly at the Zernez train station (1'471m above sea level). From here, there is also the possibility to take a shuttlebus to Plan Sech, thereby saving the first two hours of ascent. Information regarding the bus can be found at http://www.hotelstaziun.ch/macun-shuttle.html➲.

The trek leads to the Kirchhügel in Zernez, from where you can either follow the paved road or the slightly steeper walking trail towards Munt Baselgia. A 700 meter ascent through diverse mountainous forest follows, which has everything to offer from the last barberries at Zernez up to the gnarled stone pines at the forest edge. The main road ends above the tree line near Plan Sech. From here, the trek also begins for those who took the shuttle bus from Zernez. The path winds upwards through avalanche barriers to a beautiful viewpoint (2682m above sea level). The subsequent final climb leads steeply over coarse rubble.

The view from the highest point of Munt Baselgia (2'945m above sea level) compensates for all of the hardship: the view opens onto the wide lake plateau of Macun, the pyramid of Piz Arpiglias, the chain of Piz Macun and the dark stature of Piz Nuna. To the east, the Fuorn Pass can be seen ending in the Italian Ortler massif. In the south, the unmistakable mighty Bernina group can be seen, while the Sarsura glacier is visible in the west.

Once more, the subsequent descent to Fuorcletta da Barcli (2'850m above sea level) requires a degree of sure-footedness and concentration. On the Fuorcletta da Barcli, the route turns northwards through the top of the rocky basin of Macun, where snow can frequently be found even in the middle of summer. The trail then leads past impressive rock glaciers down to the first lakes. The Lai Sura (Upper Lake) is located on the left, the Lai d'Immez (Middle Lake) straight ahead and the Lai da Mezza Glüna (Half-moon Lake) in the north-west. The path leads down to Lai d'Immez with a resting area on the east bank.

Subsequently there are two options:

The route to the north leads directly to Val Zeznina, while the path to the west allows you to visit Lai dal Dragun (Dragon Lake). At the park border, the two paths reunite and the steep and sometimes slippery trail then leads downhill to Alp Zeznina (1958m above sea level). From here, the well-marked hiking trail continues steadily downhill through the forest to Lavin, the destination of the hike (1'412m above sea level).

Alternatively, it is also possible to descend on marked trails to Susch (about 20 minutes of additional hiking time). There are hourly trains from both villages running back to the starting point in Zernez.