Swimming in the Caumasee is one of our beloved summer traditions. It’s a beautiful alpine lake near Flims, with swimming, rock jumping, and paddle boats.
This lake is a little warmer than other alpine lakes because it’s fed by an underground spring, but it’s still chilly at about 16C. So you need to wait for a hot day in the height of summer. It’s not a secret but there’s plenty of room around the lake for the crowds to spread out. Put this on the top of your list for next summer!
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| Location: | southeastern Switzerland, Graubünden |
| Address: | Flims Waldhaus |
| Car: | Parking: Rudi Dadens 3, 7018 Flims 1hr35 from Zürich |
| Train: | Bus stop: Flims Waldhaus, Caumasee 2hr from Zürich |
| Trail: | 500m walk to lake, about 10 mins |
| Elevation: | highest point 2262m |
| Condition: | smooth dirt path, strollers ok |
| Skill: | easy |
| Open: | late June to early September lift open 8:00 to 17:00 |
| Cost 2021: | June-August CHF 18/adult, CHF 9/child 6-16 otherwise free entry |
| More info: | www.caumasee.ch • webcam |
Getting there
The Caumasee lake is located in southeast Switzerland near Flims Waldhaus.
By car: Drive to Flims Waldhaus and park in one of the lots near the Caumasee: Rudi Dadens 3, 7018 Flims or Via Dil Lag, 7018 Flims. Parking fills up very quickly, best to get there before 10:00. You can pay for parking with coins or ParkingPay mobile app.
By public transport: take a train to Chur, then a bus to Flims Waldhaus, Caumasee.
Ticket prices
During summer swimming season (June-August), there is an entrance fee to the lake. In 2021, this cost CHF 18/adult and CHF 9/child aged 6-16. Under 6 free. No dogs. Overnight guests in the area can get a discount. Since there are limited tickets, you are requested to pre-book tickets using the Inside Laax mobile app.
The funicular down to the lake is free to use. You can visit the restaurant next to the lake without paying the entrance fee. From September to May, you can visit the lake for free.
Opening hours
The funicular and restaurant are open 8:00 to 17:00. During June to August, the restaurant is open later until 21:00.
Walking to the lake
From the car parks and bus stop, follow signs to Caumasee, following a well traveled path into the forest. It is about a 10 minute walk to the top of a short funicular that takes you down to the lake.
Here’s one of the trail signs and the forest path to the lake.
The funicular runs constantly and is self-service. Just push the button to call it up. It only holds about 8 people so on a busy day there can be a wait, especially on the way back up. There is also a path leading down to the lake if you feel like walking. The path is suitable for strollers and strollers will also will fit inside the lift.
Prices and Opening Times
In 2017, entrance to the lake cost CHF 12 Adult, CHF 6 Child 6-16, under 6 free. The restaurant is open from mid-May to mid-October, daily from 8:00 to 17:00, in July and August it stays open until 21:00 when the weather is nice. You can eat at the restaurant without paying entrance to the lake. The lake swimming opening times are not listed separately, so let’s assume the same as the restaurant. But realistically, you do not want to swim unless it’s hot enough to justify swimming in 16C water.
What to do and see
The main activity here is swimming and sun bathing. But there are also boats and paddle boards to rent, diving platforms and a big playground. Let’s take a look.
All along the lake shore, there are places to lounge and swim. Even on a crowded day, you can usually find a little spot of your own. FYI, the path along the lake shore does not go all the way around; the south side of the lake is blocked by a fence.
In most areas, the water depth starts shallow but some areas have a steeper drop off than others. So with non-swimmers, pick a place near the playground that has bigger shallow swimming areas.
Swimming with little kids & playground
At the west side of the lake, there is big grassy area where most families with kids hang out. The water is very shallow here and the playground and bathrooms are right there.
Behind this area is a playground with a swing, slide, bouncy stuff and water play. There are also sand volleyball courts and grassy areas for kicking a ball around.
Rock jumping
Our favorite part in the big rock in the middle that you can jump off. The kids usually don’t jump off, but just climb around the rock and watch their parents jump off. The drop is about three meters, but the spot you jump from is small and a little precarious. Be careful!
Usually we rent a paddle boat and paddle over to the back of the rock, so the kids don’t have to swim all the way out.
There are a couple floating platforms in the middle of the lake. They are quite far out to swim to for smaller kids, but with a boat, they are easy to reach.
Renting boats
There are paddle boats, row boats and paddleboards to rent, cash only. I can’t remember the exact prices. It was something like 15 CHF for an hour for a paddleboat.
There is an island in the middle that you can paddle or swim to. There’s nothing to do on the island except walk from one side to the other, about 20 seconds, and get bit by biting ants. But we always go out there anyway.
Food & Services
There is a self-service restaurant and ice cream stand near the entrance. There is also a full-service restaurant that takes reservations, with a patio deck overlooking the lake, shown below on the left. There is also a kiosk near the playground. There are bathrooms with changing rooms and lockers near the playground.
Picnics are allowed and you’ll see people bringing in big bags and even coolers full of food. I don’t remember seeing any grill pits. I don’t think fires are allowed. If I’m wrong, please let me know.
5 Responses
We just had a perfect time there! Another tip is to add the Connbächli to your trip. It goes by the lift down to the lake. Kids love the stream and I’d you have a boat (also available for sale) you can follow it all the way down). After we spent the morning at the lake, we followed the Connbächli towards Conn. There’s a lovely restaurant at the end awaiting you. You also get to go by the Rheinschlucht for a spectacular view. You could take a horse and carriage ride back. We simply walked the Connbächli back up to the start. I have tons of pictures if you’d like.
Love this tip! I didn’t know there was a stream there. Yes, I’d love to see some pics. Please send them to hello@swissfamilyfun.com I hope I can check this out soon.
Thanks so much for the post. All the info i was looking for for our trip next May.
I love Caumasee, and just wanted to add a tip. The parking lots in Flims fill up pretty quickly on hot summer days, but if you want to add a short (30-minute, buggy friendly) and rather lovely hike to the lake, there is often parking at Laax Staderas, on the road to Laax out of Flims. The walk takes you by Lag Prau Tuleritg, the sister lake to Caumasee, which is beautiful itself in a quite different way. Laax Staderas is also a bus stop between Flims and Laax. The hike to Caumasee from Staderas also takes you past Sportzentrum Prau la Selva, which has a terrific Hochseilpark and other activities (and a resto). PS keep up your awesome work!
Great tip! Thanks for sharing. You are so right about the parking being full. We usually go very early or late in the afternoon when people are leaving. But I’ll definitely use your tip next time we get stuck!