Key Takeaways

The Schwarzsee Trail is a 1.1 km (0.7-mile) loop near Davos Laret offering easy, flat hiking along the lake's edge (a perfect Schwarzsee Rundweg). Ideal for a quick walk, families, or a beginner-friendly introduction to Swiss hiking.

Experience solitude and stunning panoramic reflections of the Pischahorn and Alpeltispitz on the glassy, dark-green waters of the Black Lake. Alpine views are guaranteed around the entire trail loop.

Easily accessible from the public Lareterstrasse parking lot (Davos Laret). The trail includes a picnic area, public restrooms, and fun summer amenities like a rope swing and swimming dock on the east shore.

Schwarzsee Lake Trail

Discover the Schwarzsee Lake Trail, a short and serene 1.1 km (0.7-mile) loop hike offering unparalleled solitude and stunning Swiss Alps views just minutes from Davos, Switzerland. Perfect for all skill levels, this easily accessible trail guides you along the glassy, dark-green waters of the Black Lake (Schwarzsee). Begin your adventure at the Lareterstrasse public parking lot, then descend to the lake's flat, scenic edge.

Trail Guide: Schawrzsee Lake Trail Loop Hike

This short loop hike begins at a public parking lot located on the south side of Lareterstrasse in Davos Laret. The walk starts here where visitors will head down the road to reach a short, but steep trail that leads down to the edge of Schwarzsee (Black Lake). Along the way, you'll find restrooms, a picnic area, and views of the lake from the hillside.

Once you reach the edge of Schwarzsee, the loop trail leads in both west and south directions. This trail guide leads you west along the northern shore of the Black Lake. From the north shore of Schwarzsee, you'll find a quaint Swiss chalet that sits just off-trail with a view of the lake below. Towering Swiss Alps peaks sit overhead and can be found throughout the hike around the lake. Some of the best views come into view on the western side of Schwarzsee with views of the snow-capped Pischahorn.

As the Schwarzsee Lake Trail loops around the south side of the water's edge, hikers will find more beautiful views of the Black Lake's glassy waters with more towering Swiss Alps in the background. Here, along the south shore, you'll find views of the snow-capped Alpeltispitz.

The Schwarzsee Lake Trail then leads visitors across a small footbridge that spans crystal-clear water that flows out through a small tributary stream before running up the eastern side of the lake. Along the east side of the Black Lake, the views become a little less spectacular, but instead you'll find a fun rope swing (great for families during warm months) and a dock that juts out into the water. More Alps views can be found near the lake's dock with views of the alpine slopes of Salezerhora that towers over the center of Davos.

Following the trail back uphill, passing the picnic area, hikers will head up Lareterstrasse and then take a right-hand turn to reach the parking lot. The hike ends back at the parking lot for a 1.1 km (0.7 mile) hike.

Parking & Directions: Getting to Schwarzsee in Davos

Visitors to Schwarzsee (the Black Lake) will find a somewhat confusing parking lot for the hike. You'll first drive through the center of Davos Laret along the road, Lareterstrasse, before you pass the lake on the left-hand side. As the road, Lareterstrasse, climbs uphill, there will be a right-hand turn that leads to a public parking lot. The parking lot is located next to an old building that appears to be abandoned, as of September 2025. Here, you can pay to park your vehicle based on an hourly rate.