Walking Holiday Switzerland - Lower Engadine

A wild natural landscape featuring the ancient Castle of Tarasp, the Baths of Scuol, the Romansch culture varying from village to village rich in tradition but nevertheless innovative and modern. This is the Lower Engadine situated on the southern side of the Alps, a valley far away from the busy tourist routes; it is a valley ‘waiting to be discovered’. This journey is especially enjoyable combining the beautiful timeless villages rich in culture and tradition and with their own unique architecture and walking high on the valley sides with far ranging views over the Alps. The local language is Romansch, the least spoken of the four official languages of Switzerland - but do not worry as English is widely understood.

The high trail on the sunny side of the valley leads through the ancient Engadine villages of Guarda, Ardez, Sent, Tschlin and Vinadi and offers varied days of walking with breathtaking views of the Lower Engadine Dolomiten. On one day you spend the first couple of hours walking through beautiful Austrian forest before the path returns you to Switzerland.

You need only carry your lunch with you as your bags will be moved onto the next hotel. The paths are well marked as they often cling to the side of the valley. 

Some walks explore far into side valleys. Take an extra night in Scuol which gives you the opportunity to walk in the nearby National Park, Switzerland’s only one.

Day 1: Arrive in Zernez. The village has its own railway station which you can reach from Zurich airport in 3¼ hours. We can arrange rail passes or tickets. You may wish to stay an extra night here in order to become used to walking at higher altitudes (1473m). Overnight Zernez.

Day 2: The trail initially follows the river from Zernez to Susch, here you can take time to visit the ‘Fortezza Rohan’ ruins in this very picturesque village. The trail then climbs to the famous Schellen-Ursli village of Guarda. Overnight Guarda.

Ascent: 288m. Descent: 108m. Distance: 7 ½ miles. Time: 4 hours.

Day 3: From Guarda follow the trail briefly through the surrounding forest before continuing through the alpine meadows to Alp Suot. This is a beautiful walk with lots of interest and varied scenery. From here the trail leads up through Alp Sura and onto Murtera Dadoura before descending to the village of Ardez. Overnight Ardez.

Ascent: 590m. Descent: 800m. Distance: 8 miles. Time: 4 ½ hours.

Day 4: From Ardez we climb along Plan Chamuera into the Tasna valley onto Alp Tasna and Alp Valmala. Here the trail climbs steeply to Muot la Stella before leveling off and leading through the alpine meadows to Alp Laret where you will find a simple mountain restaurant. The trail then leads down to the Prui mountain hut; here either take the chairlift down to Ftan or walk further to Motta Naluns and take the cable car to Scuol or follow the trail that leads through Ftan Pitschen. Along this part of the trail you are greeted by spectacular views of the Tarasp Castle and the surrounding mountains. Overnight Scuol.

Ascent: 770m. Descent: 560m. Distance: 10 miles. Time: 5½  hours.

Day 5: Today starts by taking the bus to Vinadi close to the Austrian border.. The route begins by walking through beautiful Austrian forest following part of the Via Engiadina. In the village of Tschlin you can visit the small cheese factory, the brewery, or the lovely church. Enjoy a relaxing evening with beautiful views after a tough but hopefully really worthwhile day. Overnight Tschlin.

Ascent: 1003m. Descent: 486m. Distance: 9 miles. Time: 6 ½ hours.

Day 6: Ascend the valley side to the remote village of Zuort. Take time to visit the pretty chapel here before continuing through the picturesque Choglias Valley. Pass through the attractive Val Sinestra with its mineral water springs. Follow the Via Engiadina again before a grassy descent to the interesting village of Sent. Overnight Sent.

Ascent: 500m. Descent: 625m. Distance: 8 miles. Time: 6 ½ hours.

Day 7: There are a number of options for today’s route, depending on your fitness, drive and weather! You can climb steadily to the Vastur hut and restaurant and on to the high trail of the Via Engiadina through stunning alpine meadows to Jonvrai and Chamonna Naluns. Continue to Motta Naluns from where you can descend by cable car to Scoul to explore the historic town. You can lengthen the route by making the complete circuit of the Piz Spadla Massif which, on a fine day, provides a spectacular end to the trek. The shortest option is to take a pleasant low level walk along the valley. Overnight Scuol.

Main route - Ascent: 886m. Descent: 181m. Distance: 7 ½ miles. Time: 1½ to 6 hours.

Day 8: Travel to the airport on the efficient Swiss railway network through superb Swiss scenery - still very much part of the holiday.

Baggage Transfer

You baggage (1 bag per person) is transferred for you every day to your next hotel.

Walk Grading

Self-guided – Easy to Challenging, due to the options you have to shorten or lengthen walks. Total for standard week ignoring variations:- Ascent 3837m, Descent 2619m, 50 miles.

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

Lower Engadine - Hotel to Hotel

Included			Not Included
ü	7 night’s accommodation		û	Lunches & drinks with meals
ü	7 breakfasts		û	Travel Insurance (required)
ü	7 dinners
ü	Baggage transfers between hotels (1 bag per person @ 20kg)
ü	Local buses, trains, cable cars are free of charge to New Experience customers
ü	Route notes & walking map
Optional Extras
Ø	‘With flights’ includes typical flight prices from London to Zurich and Rail Transfer Tickets between Switzerland airport and hotel
Ø Ø	Flights from many local airports are also available (exact price for your dates available on request) Train travel from London St Pancras is available. Second class return tickets are typically £386 or first class tickets are available with a typical additional supplement of £166 (exact prices for your dates are available on request)

All prices valid for 2023

Prices are per person in GBP / UK £ and are based on 7 nights half board in a shared twin/double standard room. 

Length of Trek	Dates	With Flights	Without Flights	Single Supplement
7 nights	Mid-May to Mid-October	1275	1130	23

 Extra night prices - POA

VA18

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

This map is for illustration purposes only and we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy.

Lower Engadine Trek

Availability Information

Available from the middle of May to the end of October with a chance of snow affecting the first 4 and last 4 weeks. The wild flowers in June are quite exceptional. The high altitude tends to moderate summer heat in July & August. There are local transport alternatives to reach all the hotels.

Please note our best to go information is generally referring to the walking which may fall in the early or late season in some places. This may mean that not all tourist facilities will be open at the time you visit. 

When to book your walking holiday in Switzerland - Hidden Corners of the Lower Engadine

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Good	Best	Best	Best	Best	Good	OK	N/A