The Julier Nappe represents the equivalent of the Bernina Nappe northwest of the Engadine Fault. This fault sinistrally offsets the two basement-dominated nappes, combined with relative uplift of the Bernina Nappe in respect to the Julier Nappe. The lithological characteristics of the basement are identical to those of the Bernina Nappe. An undisturbed contact between basement and cover of the Julier Nappe is not preserved. Parts of its former cover became detached and form klippes preserved in the core of the multiphase synclinorium of the “Samedan Zone” (Schlattain-Clavadatsch-Padella Slices). In the area of Piz Nair near St. Moritz, however, the base of the Julier Nappe appears to have overthrust its own cover.

Spätvariszischer kalk-alkalinischer Metagranodiorit, oft mit rosaroter/fleischroter Orthoklas und grüner Oligoklas. Eine dioritische bis syenitische Randfazies tritt lokal vor.