Walk the Via Engiadina amongst gleaming glaciers, pristine valleys and shimmering aquamarine lakes
Follow a well-marked trail through idyllic villages and centuries-old pine forests
Visit the picturesque hamlet of Grevasalvas, setting for the 1970s children’s TV series Heidi
Spend a night in glamorous St. Moritz, the cradle of Alpine tourism
Enjoy a panoramic hike in the pristine mountain landscape of the Swiss National Park
Via Engiadina: Self-guided walking holiday in the Engadin Valley
The Via Engiadina is a classic high-altitude trail from the Upper to Lower Engadin Valley in the eastern Swiss Alps. This natural paradise is one of the most scenic valleys in all of Switzerland, with azure lakes and lush green meadows, framed by forests, snow-capped peaks and clear blue skies. The Engadin’s beautiful scenery, combined with a pleasant continental climate make it a hikers’ paradise.
If you want to immerse yourself fully in the beauty of the Engadin mountains, then this multi-day hiking trip is the ideal way to do so. The Via Engiadina follows the sunny side of the valley along the River Inn, which is fed by the waters of more than 800 glaciers. This river originates at the Maloja Pass and fills some of the most beautiful Alpine lakes as it flows. The Via Engiadina follows the course of this river along picturesque mountain trails. The trail alternates between high alpine terrain and lower level walks in the valley along the river Inn. Being in good physical condition is a prerequisite to master this multi-day hike, but fragrant pine forests, blooming mountain meadows, and foaming torrents quickly allow you to forget the occasional rigorous ascent.
The Via Engiadina trail starts in the village of Maloja and offers a wonderful view of the Upper Engadin’s lakes. Over five stages it leads via St. Moritz, Bever and Zuoz to Zernez. You will pass Silvaplana and marvel at the glistening glaciers of the nearby Bernina range. You will soon leave the tourist centres behind as you walk through dreamy mountain villages up to the pristine mountain landscape of the Swiss National Park. As you pass through typical Engadin villages you can admire the traditional houses with elaborately painted facades and dine in traditional wood panelled stüvas.
| 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS | From €940 per person sharing*
*A high season surcharge of €30 pp. will apply from 17/6 to 8/9. |
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any day of the week (subject to availability) between June 17th and September 24th. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ACCOMMODATION | 6 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
You will stay in 5 x 3* hotels and 1 x 4* hotel (in Bever). |
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| DIFFICULTY | The difficulty level of this trip is rated as moderate overall. Ascents and descents cannot be avoided for reaching the stage destinations. Good basic physical fitness is therefore required. Mountain hiking trails in the Engadin require surefootedness. | ||||||||||||||||||
Day 1: Arrival to Maloja
Arrive at the village of Maloja and settle into your accommodation. This village at the western end of lake Sils connects the Upper Engadin lake plateau with the unspoilt valley of Bergell. Maloja has attracted artists since time immemorial, thanks to its breathtaking scenery and fascinating interplay of light and shade. The painter Giovanni Segantini, in particular, is inseparably linked to this village.
Overnight: Maloja.
Day 2: Maloja – Silvaplana – St. Moritz
Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 1,000 m | Descent: 850 m | 6 hrs approx.
On your first walking day from Maloja, the Via Engiadina leads you through the beautiful Lakelands of the upper valley. You will pass through the traditional village of Grevasalvas, which may look familiar to some people. Thanks to its picturesque location and rustic houses, the village was used as the setting for the 1970s children’s TV series Heidi. You then descend to the valley floor and the village of Sils, before climbing again to Silvaplana. You will soon be rewarded with a superb view across the expanse of the Upper Engadin, with St. Moritz in the foreground. The gleaming glaciers of the Bernina group form an impressive backdrop.
Enjoy your evening in the glamorous alpine resort town of St. Moritz and enjoy dinner in one of its many top-class restaurants.
Overnight: St. Moritz.
Day 3: St. Moritz to Bever
Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 900 m | Descent: 1,175 m | 6 hrs approx.
High above St. Moritz, the mountain path continues along the Piz Padella Mountain and reaches the Alp Muntatsch mountain restaurant. After a welcome refuelling break, you descend to the village of Samedan, with its picture-postcard Engadin houses. The dreamy little village of Bever is just a stone’s throw from here.
Overnight: Bever.
Day 4: Bever to Zuoz
Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 560 m | Descent: 550 m | 3½ hrs approx.
Today’s route leads from one quaint Engadin village to the next: from Bever with its historic buildings along the flank of the Crasta Mora and past gnarled pine trees. As you reach the Albula Pass, you will enjoy a wonderful view over the lower Engadin Valley and the nearby peaks of the Bernina range. You will cross a series of stone steps, alpine meadows and fragrant forests on your way to a high plateau with a magnificent vantage point above the hamlet of Madulain. You finally cross a stream above the Val Müra Gorge before descending to Zuoz. This picture-book alpine village is one of the region’s most idyllic, with a beautiful square, narrow alleys and ornate house facades.
Overnight: Zuoz.
Day 5: Circular hike in the Swiss National Park
Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 620 m | Descent: 620 m | 4 hrs approx.
This morning you can take a short bus or train ride to the nearby village of S-chanf. From here, a wonderful circular walking route will take you through the Swiss National Park. You will hike across lush alpine meadows to Val Trupchun, one of the idyllic side valleys of the Upper Engadin. You will gain a great insight into the unique flora and fauna of this beautiful region.
Overnight: Zuoz.
Day 6: Zuoz to Zernez
Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 725 m | Descent: 965 m | 5½ hrs approx.
From Zuoz, you set off across the alpine meadows of the valley floor, following winding trails that take you up to Acla Laret. Here we have a great view of the Upper Engadin and the Swiss National Park, which stretches over the mountains on the opposite side of the valley. You then descend to Chapella, before ascending again through pine and larch forest to Val Punt Ota. Here you cross the Punt Ota brook, which forms the border between the Upper and Lower Engadin. A final stroll through fragrant mountain meadows takes you down to the picturesque village of Zernez, where you spend your final night in the Engadin.
Overnight: Zernez.
Day 7: Departure from Zernez
Your walking holiday in the Engadin comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.
Getting to Maloja
Departure from Zernez
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