Engadine: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
The Engadin in the Swiss canton of Graubünden is one of the highest inhabited valleys in Europe: the 80 km long valley extends up to 1,800 meters. The holiday region offers a 550 km network of hiking trails, cool bathing lakes, and romantic cultural treasures. In St. Moritz alone, there are numerous galleries.
Table of contents
Engadine - The most beautiful cities
St. Moritz
St. Moritz has already hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Around 350 kilometers of slopes, 200 km of cross-country ski trails, and a snow park run through the sun-drenched Engadin. On the local mountain Corviglia, the steep wall Piz Nair features what is probably Switzerland's most breathtaking downhill run, with a gradient of 100 percent. In addition to the modern winter sports facilities, the international St. Moritz audience appreciates the elegant après-ski lifestyle. At the edge of the slopes, both fine dining options and cafés and confectioneries entice with regional specialties such as the famous Engadine nut cake. Shopping enthusiasts will find exclusive boutiques, sports, and designer stores on the upscale shopping street Via Serlas.
Pontresina
Pontresina is the starting point for the mountain peaks and glaciers of the Bernina Massif. Mountain bikers find challenging trails here, and professional climbers overcome impressive crevasses on guided tours. Beginner climbers feel comfortable in the high ropes course of Pontresina. Families enjoy taking boat trips for fishing on one of the deep blue lakes of the Upper Engadine. Pontresina shares three of the most famous Swiss ski areas with the neighboring winter sports mecca St. Moritz: Diavolezza, Corviglia, and Corvatsch. Modern lift systems and 350 kilometers of slopes of all difficulty levels ensure eventful winter sports days for young and old. Cross-country skiers' hearts are lifted by the 200 km of well-groomed trails.
Sils Maria
What does the Swiss village of Sils-Maria have to do with philosophy? Quite a bit, as the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche spent seven summers here to cure his migraines. He also completed his work "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" here. Today, a museum is located in Nietzsche's former residence. Sils-Maria is especially suitable for long walks around the picturesque mountain lakes. In winter, Corvatsch attracts visitors with 120 kilometers of slopes. In summer, you can take a panoramic hike from the Corvatsch middle station Murtèl to Sils. The 8 km long route leads over Prugnieu and the Alp Prasüra.
Scuol
From Scuol, you can easily reach the hiking and mountain biking network of Motta Naluns with the cable car. The long-distance hiking trail Via Engiadina offers scenic views as it leads past rushing mountain streams, cow pastures, and high peaks. With a bit of luck, you might spot one of the native marmots. Old Engadine houses and the regional museum take you back to Scuol's past. On the Stradun, the village's main street, you can taste regional delicacies in gourmet shops and restaurants. After strolling, the mineral bath Bogn Engadinia invites you to leave everyday life behind in hot mineral water.
Zuoz
In Zuoz, Puter, a version of Romansh, is predominantly spoken. The townscape is characterized by well-preserved patrician houses. With their bay windows and artistic sgraffiti on the facades, they are hard to miss. The Art Public Plaiv project provides space for modern art. Eight artworks are located in Zuoz. Numerous hiking trails lead from Zuoz into nature. The Senda Celesta adventure trail is designed to be family-friendly. In winter, the local mountain Pizzet is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Advanced skiers love the timed course and the Snow Park. The Swiss Snow Kids Village offers magic carpets, pony lifts, and experienced ski instructors for the youngest.
Celerina
From Celerina, the mountain railways take you to the most beautiful natural sites of the Engadin. Families can enjoy the panoramic mountain Muottas Muragl or the Marguns mountain station with a children's playground and paddling lake. Hikers and mountain bikers find their terrain at Corviglia. The Stazersee invites you to swim. In winter, Celerina offers access to the Corviglia / Piz Nair ski area with 155 km of slopes. Curling and ice skating are popular on the ice rink. Cross-country skiing fans can look forward to the largest network of trails in the Engadin. The world-famous Olympia Bob Run offers a thrilling downhill experience.
Samnaun
Together with the Austrian Ischgl, Samnaun forms the Silvretta Arena ski area. On 239 kilometers of slopes, both beginner and advanced skiers can find their favorite route between Austria and Switzerland. Since the majority of the slopes are over 2,500 meters in altitude, snow reliability is guaranteed from November for an active winter holiday in Samnaun. Another reason why the Swiss mountain village attracts travelers from all over the world is that Samnaun is considered a shopping paradise. Since 1892, visitors have been able to shop duty-free in the municipality in the Swiss border area. Today, the boutiques, duty-free shops, and designer outlets of the alpine "lifestyle metropolis" invite extensive shopping sprees.
La Punt-Chamues
With its location at the foot of the Albula Pass, La Punt-Chamues was an important traffic hub and significant trading place in the 16th and 17th centuries. This is evidenced by the facades of the magnificent patrician houses in the La Punt district, adorned with Engadine sgraffiti. You can discover the decorated houses on a walk. The district of La Punt is connected to Chamues by a bridge over the Inn. Around La Punt-Chamues, the magnificent nature of the Engadin invites you to go hiking, mountain biking, or trail running. The Engadine High Trail offers particularly beautiful panoramas. In winter, the village is a starting point for cross-country skiing tours or extensive winter hikes.
Engadine - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Bernina Massif
The Bernina massif extends from the Muretto Pass in the west to the Bernina Pass in the east. In addition to the highest peak, Piz Bernina, Piz Roseg and Piz Palü are also among the most significant mountains of the massif. The Bernina Railway operates over the Bernina Pass, connecting the holiday resort of St. Moritz with Tirano. From Diavolezza, you have access to the Morteratsch Glacier, which is prepared for skiers in the spring. The 10 km descent to the valley entrance takes one to two hours. Another highlight of the Bernina massif is the 36 glacier mills surrounding the Belvedere Tower in Maloja.
Piz Corvatsch
Piz Corvatsch rises in the Swiss canton of Graubünden above the valley towns of Silvaplana and Sils Maria. In winter, the Corvatsch-Furtschellas ski area offers 56 kilometers of slopes. A special attraction is the Hahnensee run, which leads past the Hahnensee to St. Moritz. It is also the longest illuminated night slope in Switzerland. In summer, the region around Piz Corvatsch is a popular hiking area. An easy route with beautiful views over the Upper Engadine lakes starts at the Murtèl middle station on Corvatsch and leads to the Furtschellas station. More challenging is the hike from the Corvatsch middle station over the Fuorcla Surlej to Pontresina.
Muottas Muragl
At an elevation of 2,454 m, Muottas Muragl offers magnificent views over the Upper Engadine lake landscape. A well-marked hiking trail leads up with a stopover opportunity at the Segantini Hut on the Schafberg. Artists have been inspired by the breathtaking panorama, such as the painter Giovanni Segantini, who died on the Schafberg. From the Punt Muragl mountain station, the funicular runs several times a day to the summit of Muottas Muragl. The mountain panorama extends to Piz Palü and Piz Bernina with its snow-covered peak. The view is particularly impressive at sunset. In winter, snowshoe hikers and sledding enthusiasts get their money's worth.
Lake St. Moritz
Lake St. Moritz is one of the smaller lakes in Switzerland and can be easily circled. The direct walking route along the lakeside promenade measures around 4 km. Those who prefer a more athletic option can choose a hiking tour or a round with a mountain bike in the alpine peak world that forms the backdrop of the lake. In the winter months, Lake St. Moritz is often frozen and a great excursion destination for ice skating with the whole family. Culturally, there is also much to discover at the lake. In the Engadine Museum, you can immerse yourself in the local cultural history, while the Segantini Museum is dedicated to the works of the Alpine painter Giovanni Segantini.
Roseg Valley
In the west of Switzerland, in the alpine picture-book landscape of Val Roseg, you will involuntarily gain a sense of peace and seclusion. The side valley of Val Bernina is an ideal area for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. The highest point of the valley and an attractive excursion destination is the glacier lake Lej da Vadret near Samedan. While traveling in Val Roseg, you can listen to the rushing Roseg stream, take a leisurely carriage ride, wander through idyllic larch forests, and with a bit of luck, even spot chamois. A breathtaking view of the valley opens up to you from the high plateau of Muottas Muragl, which you can easily reach by funicular between Samedan and Pontresina.
Engadine - Climate
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.