Explore the Engadin Valley & St Moritz
Drive & Hike Tour
Holiday Type:
Drive & Hike
When:
June to October
Centres:
St Moritz & Zernez
Length:
8 days (suggested)
Grade:
Flexible
2024 Price:
From £ 1,470.00
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Discover Switzerland’s only National Park, a haven for wildlife
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Relax in the fashionable town of St Moritz
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Wander to the traditional Engadin village of Guarda
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Hike to Fuorcla Surlej, one of the great Alpine viewpoints
Hidden away in a quiet corner of Switzerland, the beautiful Engadin valley welcomes those looking for unspoilt nature and gentle walks. Here you’ll find Switzerland's only National Park, alongside traditional Engadin villages, local delicacies and lofty peaks. Based first in the cosmopolitan town of St Moritz, make use of local cable cars to start high on the hillsides. Head up to the Fuorcla Surlej, one of the great Alpine viewpoints underneath the mighty Piz Bernina and Piz Roseg.
Next is Zernez, a well located Engadin village, on the edge of the Swiss National Park. From here walk into the park through the Val Cluozza, where nature is given absolute priority - and sanctuary to marmots, golden eagles, ibex and chamois, amongst the lush forest. Visit the picture-perfect village of Guarda, where centuries-old paintings adorn the walls of many houses, and the Romansch language is still spoken. Many easy hiking trails head off into the countryside from here… and don’t miss the chance to try the famous Enganin nut tart while you’re there!
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Our Drive & Hike holidays take you to some of the best hiking destinations in Europe, on a self-drive basis, giving you complete flexibility to travel on your own timetable. Spend a few nights in each location, in comfortable accommodation, rather than checking in and out daily. Our itineraries are designed to feature walks which are all within approximately 1 hour’s drive of your accommodation, with a few hours’ driving whenever you change location. Our packages include a hire car as default, but you are also welcome to use your own vehicle if you prefer.
Each day we have set out a specific hiking route which makes the most of the area. A detailed guidebook, map, online mapping and GPX route is provided for each route. However, as this is a self-guided trip, you can of course choose an alternative hike, depending on your preference, and perhaps the weather! Your information pack will therefore also include plenty of alternative hiking routes in each area, of varying difficulty.
Photo Gallery
Explore the Engadin Valley & St Moritz Itinerary
▼ Day 1: Arrive in St Moritz
Tucked away in the far southeastern corner of Switzerland, reaching the Engadin does take a little more travel time, but it is still only a 3 hour drive from Zurich. Popular with the rich and famous, St Moritz is certainly swish, but it has accommodation, restaurants and shops to suit all budgets and is a pleasant town to wander on an evening.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz
▼ Day 2: The Fuorcla Surlej pass
13.3km & 101m ascent (8.3 miles & 331ft)
One of the classic viewpoints in the Alps. From St Moritz it’s either a 30 minute drive or a 1.5 walk to Silvaplana, where a cable car will whisk you up 800m to Murtèl, high above the treeline. From here, begin your walk across a wild, rocky landscape, arriving fairly soon at the Fuorcla Surlej pass. Views at the high point are stunning, across to the huge Piz Bernina massif, the Piz Roseg, and down into the Val Roseg. It's then a gradual descent into the Val Roseg, and a walk along the valley floor to Pontresina, where you can catch a 10 minute train back to St Moritz.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz
▼ Day 3: Val Trupchun & National Park from Varusch
13.8km & 429m ascent (8.6 miles & 1407ft)
It’s a 25 minute drive to Varusch, from which you can access the Val Trupchun, the southernmost valley in the Swiss National Park. This protected area is a haven for wildlife - ibex and herds of red deer are common sightings on the hillsides above the treeline.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz
▼ Day 4: Val Fex from Sils Maria
9.1km & 201m ascent (5.6 miles & 659ft)
A gentle walk into Val Fex, one of the most scenic of the Engadin side valleys. It’s a pleasant stroll amongst green farmland, filled with wildflowers and the sound of cowbells. Small wooden chalets dot the valley, many serving local delicacies and refreshing drinks.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in St Moritz
▼ Day 5: Travel St Moritz to Zernez
Approximately 30 minute drive
It’s a straightforward 30 minute drive from St Moritz to the village of Zernez. Much smaller than St Moritz, Zernez is yet another great base for hiking, being situated on the edge of the Swiss National Park.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zernez
▼ Day 6: Val Cluozza and the Swiss National Park
15.4km & 1081m ascent (9.5 miles & 3546ft)
Head back to the National Park today to explore the forested valley of Val Cluozza. Here, it feels very much cut off from the outside world - the only hint of civilisation being the Chamanna Cluozza hut, a convenient stop for your lunch break. From the village of Zernez, it’s a straightforward walk up into the valley, returning the same way.
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zernez
▼ Day 7: Guarda and Val Tuoi
14.5km & 606m ascent (9 miles & 1988ft)
The village of Guarda is arguably the most picturesque in the Engadin. From Zernez, it’s 20 minutes by car to the village, where we recommend spending plenty of time exploring the narrow cobbled streets, amongst houses painted with beautiful murals that are centuries old. Once you’ve seen every nook and cranny, head up into the valley of Val Tuoi, a gentle ascent, with views to the pyramidal peak of Piz Buin ahead. The Chamonna Tuoi hut provides a convenient point to turn around and head back to Guarda (after a cake break, of course).
Accommodation:
Guest House or Hotel in Zernez
▼ Day 8: Depart from Zernez
Similarly to St Moritz, it is a mere 2.5 hours from Zernez to Zurich by car, where plenty of onward connections can be found.
Explore the Engadin Valley & St Moritz Route Map
What’s Included?
✔ 7 nights accommodation
✔ Breakfast every morning
✔ 8 Days Hire Car
✔ Detailed Itinerary, Map & Guidebook
✔ GPX Waypoints and online mapping
✔ 24/7 Emergency Phone Number
What’s not Included?
X Travel Insurance
X Flights to and from the holiday
X Lunches
Optional Extras
? Rail Transport to and from the holiday
? Taxi Transfers to and from the holiday
? Luggage Transfers
Accommodation & Prices
On our Drive & Hike itineraries we aim to book all accommodations on a B&B basis. However, we will always ensure that there are options for dinner either at your accommodation or nearby, and provide restaurant recommendations in your information pack. Our packages are priced on the assumption of an Economy Manual Hire Car - please just let us know if you would prefer to upgrade or remove this.
Standard
2024 Price: from £ 1,470.00 GBP per person (Request a Quote)
Accommodation will be in en-suite rooms, in a mixture of 2 to 3 star hotels, or good quality, comfortable Guest Houses.
Luxury
2024 Price: from £ 1,800.00 GBP per person (Request a Quote)
Accommodation will be in en-suite rooms, in a mixture of luxury 4* star hotels, or boutique Guest Houses.
FAQs
What is a self-guided holiday? When is the best time to travel? How do I get to the start of my holiday?
Please head to our FAQs page for all answers. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call with any questions about our holidays.