EZ02: Nationalpark – The Easy Way

“Just to let you know, we have had a truly FANTASTIC week in the Engadine, with very good weather all week. We especially enjoyed the first few days in the National Park – the flowers were at their best and we saw steinbocks near the Murter from only 100m away which was pretty exciting.”

Day 1: Zernez. Travel to Zernez, the gateway to the National Park. Depending on your time of arrival, you may want to visit the brand new National Park visitors centre with it modern and interesting displays about the park and its wildlife.

Day 2: Zernez – Chamanna Cluozza. An easy and relatively short walk right into the heart of the National Park expects you. You are likely to arrive at the Chamanna (= hut) Cluozza around noon, leaving you plenty of time to explore the beautiful valley in which the hut is situated, or simply spend the afternoon at the shore of the river flowing past the Chamanna Cluozza (no luggage transfer).

Day 3: Chamanna Cluozza – Il Fuorn. You start the day with a steep climb up the mountain called Murter at the back of the hut. On top of this flat mountain, you enjoy marvellous views over a large part of the park. The now following descend is fairly steep as well, but the track is well graded and helps you easily down to a narrow gorge through with the river Spöl flows, whose waters are bound for the Black Sea. Its uphill again, but you soon cross the road where you have the option of taking the bus for the last stretch or continue at a leisurely pace to the hotel Il Fuorn, which is the only hotel within the park.

Day 4: Il Fuorn – Susom Givé. Walk across the broad and flat-topped mountain of Munt La Shera to Susom Givé, which is the top of the Ofen Pass (Oven pass). The “Munt la Schera” offers enormous views and is known for its flowers (even Edelweiss grows there). The Oven Pass derives its name from the fact that in the old days, there were many ovens here, where iron ore was smeltered. The remains of some of these old smelters can still be seen along the road. Spend the night in the hotel on the pass.

Day 5: Susom Give – Lü. It’s a very short walk to Lü on a easy Haute Route high above the valley, offering nice views which include the mighty Ortler, the highest mountain in the region. The walk can be extended to fill the day if you like but you may as well enjoy the short option and take lots of breaks to marvel at the panorama or the many small wonders along the way. Lü is the smallest, politically independent village in Switzerland – and small it really is!

Day 6: Lü – Sta. Maria. Continue the walk, which leads along the mountain slope, taking you through airy forests of lark trees or through meadows where – if the time is right – there is a proliferation of flowers and butterflies for you to enjoy. You may walk to Sta. Maria directly or make a detour to visit Münster with its famous monastery, a building whose oldest parts are 1000 years old and have been declared a UN world heritage site. Definitively a place worth visiting, before you continue your stroll and head for Sta. Maria, where you will spend the next two nights.

Day 7: Sta. Maria. A day to explore the region around Sta. Maria. You may for example visit the deep blue waters of the Lai da Rims, arguably one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Swiss Alps. If you prefer a relaxing day, walk into the valley Val Vau as far as you like and enjoy a few peaceful hours on the shore of the wild river. Or would you like to go for a challenging walk on the last day of your walking week? No problem. Take the bus to the Umbrail pass and start the climb of the Piz Umbrail, a peak reaching the 3000m mark. Continue the walk down to the lake Lai da Rims and further on to Sta. Maria. Truly an unforgettable walk and possibly the highlight of your week.

Day 8: Return.