Lavin lies on the valley floor in the Lower Engadine, on the River Inn on the way from Zernez to Scuol. It is linked to the Prättigau by the 19-km-long Vereina railway tunnel. The village is a popular departure and arrival point for wonderful hikes.

Loading of vehicles on to the train takes place at Lavin at the southern portal of the railway tunnel in Sagliains. Thus Lavin, on the Scuol-Tarasp - Pontresina and Scuol-Tarasp - Chur lines, has ideal connections to the Upper Engadine and also towards Landquart - Chur.

The village, on a long terrace on a south-facing slope, was rebuilt in Italian style after being destroyed by fire in 1869. The late-Gothic village church escaped the flames and has valuable frescoes dating from the late-Gothic and early-Renaissance periods – one of the best-known and worth seeing art monuments in Graubunden.

The «La Vouta» cultural centre has established itself in an old Engadine building, offering a platform to well-known theatrical companies, cabaret artists, musicians, authors and film makers for events which would be hard-pressed to find a venue anywhere else in the Lower Engadine.

Lavin lies on the «Via Engiadina» panoramic high-level hiking trail and on the «Senda culturala» culture trail, both leading through the Lower Engadine.

The culture trail leads from Zernez via Susch, Lavin, Guarda, Ardez towards Scuol and Martina, passing many significant historic sites on the way. One noteworthy sight on the trail is the ruins of the ghost town of Gonda between Lavin and Guarda. Gonda was first mentioned in 1160 and around 1570 was the home of 30 families. There are no chronicled reports on its demise and the fate of its inhabitants. Another prominent site is the «Fuorcha» between Zernez and Susch, a former execution site with gallows for the villages of Zernez, Susch, Lavin, Guarda, Ardez and Ftan.

Lavin is also the starting point for hikes and nature experiences in the Swiss National Park, which at Zernez and Scuol almost reaches the Inn Valley. The municipal area of Lavin includes the unique lake plateau of Macun with some 20 large and small mountain lakes – an exceptional special experience for every hiker.

Highlights

• Lavin church – well worth seeing with frescoes dating from the15th and 16th centuries, among the most valuable works of art in Graubunden.
• Macun lake plateau - 20 large and small mountain lakes spread like splendid gemstones across a plateau. Belongs to the Swiss National Park.