Cavaglia lies at 1703 m altitude on a glacial high plateau, between two escarpments at the upper end of Val Poschiavo. Ancient forests flank the meadows on the valley floor, which is divided by the stony ribbon of the Cavagliasco river bed. A handful of homes, a guesthouse, an electricity plant and a railway station make up this rustic old village. Trains leave here hourly to travel over the Berninapass to St. Moritz or down the valley to Tirano in Veltlin. As well as the railway, there is a second spectacular way to reach Cavaglia: the Ökostrompfad (eco-power trail) leading from the station of the Ospizio Bernina through the Palü-Schlucht (gorge) to Cavaglia, providing, amongst other things, information on environmentally friendly power production using hydro power and also on the Bernina railway line, which was closely linked to the electrification of the valley.

The unique «Marmitte dei Giganti» glacier garden with its huge glacier mills is just a few minutes walk south of Cavaglia: the continuous, powerful surge and swirl of the prehistoric glacier melt waters caused stones to rotate and over centuries grind holes of up to 10 meters deep into the rocks.

In summer, Cavaglia is an ideal departure point for hiking and biking tours into Val Poschiavo and the Engadin. In winter, fans of active recreation have a choice between ski tours, snowshoe treks and ice climbing.