Theme Trails

Compiled especially for you: several selected and particularly attractive theme trails. More theme trails and information are available at all tourist information offices throughout the valley.  

For children and adults: the Schellenursli Trail

Next to Heidi, Schellenursli is by far the most popular Swiss children’s book. Because little Ursli only has a very small bell (schelle), he has to walk right at the back of the Chalandamarz parade, the traditional Engadin event to drive out winter spirits. Then he remembers the huge cowbell that he saw hanging in an alp hut. So he sets off on his adventurous way and first appears again in the village next day. People have already been looking for him. As his bell is now the largest in the village, Ursli can lead the parade and from then on is known as Schellenursli (Bell Urs). The children’s story by Engadin author Selina Chönz and illustrator Alois Carigiet can be recreated along the 1.5 kilometre Schellenursli Trail. The trail, with picture panels, leads from Hotel Salastrains in St. Moritz to Via Tinus and can be walked with children in 45 minutes. The Schellenursli Trail leads past Heidi’s famous hut, a location for the Heidi TV series and starting point of Heidi’s Flower Trail with its 200 species of flowers.

For flower friends: Heidi’s Flower Trail
An attractive tour with splendid views, game-rich forests of stone pine and a wealth of flora. The starting point is Chantarella above St. Moritz Dorf and the local police can issue access permits for vehicles transporting wheelchairs. Islands of flowers are laid out along a length of one kilometre. Over 200 species of Alpine flora blossom from June to October and each plant is numbered. The Latin and German names are found in our directory.

Keep cool: Glacier Hike
A glacier hike is one of the most awe-inspiring mountain experiences. However, we stress that the eternal ice with its crevasses and moraines should only be tackled when accompanied by an experienced guide. The Pontresina Mountaineering School organizes daily guided glacier hikes in the Bernina massif, starting at the Diavolezza Berghaus, duration around five hours. On the hike, the mountain guide is full of facts on the glacier with its billions of tons of ice, its quirks and creaking inner life. The Pers Glacier hike ranks as one of the most famous glacier tours but also as one of the most demanding.

For the environmentally conscious: the Clean Energy Tour
St. Moritz is sending a clear signal and committing itself to a clean environment: in addition to hiking, the Clean Energy Tour is all about renewable energy. The tour begins at 1,770 m altitude in St. Moritz and climbs to the Piz Nair, 3,057 m. Rest, vantage and information points include Switzerland’s oldest power station, the 180 solar panels of the Corviglia funicular and the wind farm on Munt da San Murezzan (2,666 m). Actual hiking time around 2.5 hours.

For gourmets: Via Gastronomica
Fine fare at every turn: the Via Gastronomica combines the diversity of local cuisine with the beauty of the Engadin mountain landscape. Just a 90-minute walk is all that’s needed to take part – that’s how long it takes to get from the Furtschellas top station down to the sleepy valley of Fextal. And you can also garnish your tour with the delicacies of Alpine lakes. Stops are made at restaurants along the route.
 
For the inquisitive: the Climate Trail
Europe’s first Climate Trail. The effects of climate change in the Alpine habitat are explained on 18 theme panels. The effects are particularly noticeable above Pontresina, on the way from Muottas Muragl via Schafberg to Alp Languard. The village inhabitants have had to build drystone walls and embankments as protection against rockfalls.
 
More information on above offers and other theme trails:
www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/hiking