THE LOWER ENGADINE OF THE GRISONS
There is an almost magical and mystical quality associated with names like Ftan, Scuol, Sent, Ardez &
S-chant. Yet, these are real hamlets, villages and cities located in one of the more remote regions of Switzerland –the Lower Engadine. It’s a beautiful picture-perfect region of Switzerland bordered by the Austrian and the Italian Tyrol. The languages spoken are Swiss-German and Romansch which is derived from the Latin spoken by the Romans when they inhabited the area. One of the most picturesque villages of the region, and a great place to start your exploration of the Lower Engadine, is Zernez, the gateway to the 65 square mile Swiss National Park & nature preserve. The park with its 50 mile network of nature trails and hiking paths hosts a wealth of Alpine animals and plants. It’s truly a hiker’s as well as a nature lover’s dream come through.
Speaking of hikes, have you ever dreamed of going on a hiking trip for a few days without having to worry about luggage or where you’ll spend the night? Yes, you can take panoramic hikes through the Lower Engadine in five stages. You hike during the day with only a daypack on your back, while your luggage is transported from one hotel to the next. And when you get to Scuol, the capital of the Grisons, you can get spoiled soaking in Roman-Irish baths & saunas. If you go on one of these high-altitude hikes, you’ll have the opportunity to step back in time and see some old farmhouses nestled on a mountainside where the ground floor is reserved for cows & animals and the upper level for the farmers. One of the highlights of the hike will be a visit to the Schellenursli Village of Guarda. Not only is it a beautiful village, it was the setting for Selina Chönz’ “Schellen-Ursli” and of course the go-to-place to experience the old tradition of “Chalandamarz”. That’s when young boys in the village chase the evil spirits of winter away by clanking large cow bells. By the way, a new movie was just released about “Schellen-Ursli of the Swiss Alps” (Trailer in German, French & Italian).
We haven’t forgotten those of you favoring winter holidays. The Lower Engadine offers a wide range of opportunities for downhill as well as cross-country skiers, for snowboarders, for ice skaters, and those who want to be challenged by great toboggan runs. Keep in mind that in winter some roads are closed and a number of villages and hamlets can only be reached by horse-drawn sleighs, skis or snowshoes.
Check out the Videos & websites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
There is an almost magical and mystical quality associated with names like Ftan, Scuol, Sent, Ardez &
S-chant. Yet, these are real hamlets, villages and cities located in one of the more remote regions of Switzerland –the Lower Engadine. It’s a beautiful picture-perfect region of Switzerland bordered by the Austrian and the Italian Tyrol. The languages spoken are Swiss-German and Romansch which is derived from the Latin spoken by the Romans when they inhabited the area. One of the most picturesque villages of the region, and a great place to start your exploration of the Lower Engadine, is Zernez, the gateway to the 65 square mile Swiss National Park & nature preserve. The park with its 50 mile network of nature trails and hiking paths hosts a wealth of Alpine animals and plants. It’s truly a hiker’s as well as a nature lover’s dream come through.
Speaking of hikes, have you ever dreamed of going on a hiking trip for a few days without having to worry about luggage or where you’ll spend the night? Yes, you can take panoramic hikes through the Lower Engadine in five stages. You hike during the day with only a daypack on your back, while your luggage is transported from one hotel to the next. And when you get to Scuol, the capital of the Grisons, you can get spoiled soaking in Roman-Irish baths & saunas. If you go on one of these high-altitude hikes, you’ll have the opportunity to step back in time and see some old farmhouses nestled on a mountainside where the ground floor is reserved for cows & animals and the upper level for the farmers. One of the highlights of the hike will be a visit to the Schellenursli Village of Guarda. Not only is it a beautiful village, it was the setting for Selina Chönz’ “Schellen-Ursli” and of course the go-to-place to experience the old tradition of “Chalandamarz”. That’s when young boys in the village chase the evil spirits of winter away by clanking large cow bells. By the way, a new movie was just released about “Schellen-Ursli of the Swiss Alps” (Trailer in German, French & Italian).
We haven’t forgotten those of you favoring winter holidays. The Lower Engadine offers a wide range of opportunities for downhill as well as cross-country skiers, for snowboarders, for ice skaters, and those who want to be challenged by great toboggan runs. Keep in mind that in winter some roads are closed and a number of villages and hamlets can only be reached by horse-drawn sleighs, skis or snowshoes.
Check out the Videos & websites by clicking on the highlighted links above.