Swiss National Park - Walks

From parking place 7 on the Ofen pass road through the wooded Val dal Botsch to the first rest area (Rastplatz), from which chamois can be observed; then on to the large rest area at Margunet (2,308 m/7,573ft), with a beautiful view (Munt la Schera, Piz Nair, Piz dal Fuorn; red deer); down from here to another rest area (red deer) and the Stabelchod hut (park-keeper's house; colony of marmots); then back to the Ofen pass road and along a path parallel to the road, past parking places 9 and 8, to parking place 7. The path continues to Il Fuorn. Time about three hours.

From Il Fuorn northwest over Plan Posa and through Val Ftur; then climb to the Champlönch dry valley and the Alpine meadows of Grimmels (2,050 m/6,726ft: marmots, sometimes in the early morning red deer hinds), with a beautiful view (Ofen pass, Munt la Schera, Piz dal Fuorn). Then either back to Il Fuorn or down (west) to parking place 1, 2 or 3 on the Ofen pass road. An easy walk of 2-2.5 hours.

The route starts from Buffalora, just outside the National Park boundary: from there south through a forest of stone pines to Marangun, then west over the flower-spangled meadows of Fop da Buffalora to enter the park beneath Munt Chavagi. After about two hours' walking bear right up Munt la Schera (2,586 m/8,485ft), with magnificent views of the Ortler group (3,900 m/12,796ft) in the southeast, of the snow-covered Bernina group (4,000 m/13,124ft) in the southwest and the whole area of the National Park. Then down the south side of the hill to the Alp la Schera (rest area: marmots; red deer may be seen on the southern slopes of Munt la Schera). From there on the upper forest path to Il Fuorn; then either back on the postal bus to Stradin Buffalora or on the footpath to the right of the road (1.25 hours). The day's outing occupies about five hours.

The route starts from the parking place at the junction of the Mingèr with the Clemgia on the road from Scuol to S-charl. After crossing the Clemgia the path leads southwest through tall spruce forest to Mingèr Dadora, past a sandstone crag known as the Hexenkopf ("Witches Head") and on to the Alpine meadow of Mingèr Dadaint (2,090 m/6,855ft): good opportunities for observing red deer and marmots. At the head of the valley are the precipitous peaks of Piz Plavna Dadaint (3,166 m/10,388ft). Return by the same route, or alternatively continue west to Il Foss and then via Alp Plavna to Tarasp. This half-day outing lasts about 3.5 hours.

Starting from Zernez, cross the covered bridge over the Spöl at the east end of the village and continue over the Selva meadows to a clearing at Al Pra (beautiful view from the Bellavista viewpoint). Then down to the valley floor and a short climb on the other side to the Cluoza hut (Blockhaus Cluoza, 1,882 m/6,175ft: food, dormitory accommodation - booking at the tourist office in Zernez). From the hut the tracks of dinosaurs 200 million years old can be seen through a telescope. Then up the hillside to the left and by way of Alp Murtèr to the Murtèrgrat (2,545 m/8,350ft), with fine views of Piz Quattervals and Piz del Diavel to the south and the Fuorn valley and Piz Terza to the north, with an opportunity to see chamois and marmots. Descend by way of Plan dal Poms to the Praspöl meadows, then over the Spöl and up to the Ofen pass road at Vallun Chafuol (postal bus stop). Time about six hours.

From the bridge over the Inn northeast of S-chanf make for Mulins Varusch; then continue along the stream in the direction of Val Casana and at the next junction take a path on the left through Val Trupchun. Along the park boundary and opposite the mouth of Val Müsschauns there are opportunities for observing wildlife (chamois, ibex, eagles' nests). Then climb to the hut on Alp Trupchun (2,040 m/6,693ft), with numbers of animals (including ibexes) in almost every direction. Return along the right bank, past the mouth of Val Müschauns, to reach the National Park boundary at Chanels; then on to the Varusch hut (refreshments), and from there back to the parking place. The day's outing takes about five hours.