Graubünden Ferien
Public Relations
Alexanderstrasse 24
CH-7001 Chur
Tel. +41 (0)81 254 24 24
Fax +41 (0)81 254 24 00
[email protected]
www.graubuenden.ch
MEDIA RELEASE
Graubünden - exercise for the legs and lungs, wellness for the body and
soul. With over 10,000 kilometres of hiking paths, 937 mountain peaks and
615 lakes, Graubünden is one of the most loved hiking regions in Europe.
Hiking to the source of the Rhine in Tomasee, this less demanding tour leads past
a cave where crystals have been extracted and where boulders filled with quartz
are strewn. Eventually the quiet, blue lake comes into view in a hollow surrounded
by gently swaying cotton grass on soft moorland. The scene’s untouched beauty is
simply soothing.
The tour to the Tomasee is just one of many. Between the tranquil and restful
forests and the ice-tipped mountain giants lie thousands of opportunities in
Graubünden: pleasure hiking, theme-orientated excursions and high Alpine tours.
The days of stinking red socks, heavy chunky boots and aching hunger have long
passed as there is friendly accommodation and welcoming restaurants along the
way. The spontaneous greetings from local Romansh people are always
welcoming, “Allegra” they say, which means “Joy”! Hiking in Graubünden is so
pleasurable, because in just a few short hours a tour can pass through German
speaking villages, over Romansh Alps and into Italian valley communities.
Joy floods the senses in the larch glades of the Upper Engadin, the soft, gentle
moorland of Lenzerheide or a contemplative stroll through the mountain forests of
nearby Flims. Here entices the stunning Rhine Gorge, better known as the “Little
Swiss Grand Canyon” and the picturesque turquoise blue lake, the Caumasee.
Far above are the high Alpine tours. The extreme limits of rock and ice open up a
world of fun for the hardened mountaineer but even the occasional hiker, can join
the fun accompanied by an expert mountain guide; this icy realm of nature can still
be accessed. Whoever assails the majestic Bernina, the Piz Palü or the
Oberalpstock and finally conquers, rightfully poses with fellow mountaineers for the
victorious summit photograph.
People increasingly want to combine hiking with learning and Graubünden has a lot
to offer in this area, whether it be historical or technical. The historical railway trail
of Bergün Preda on the Albula line displays just how engineers of more than a
hundred years ago managed to build spiral tunnels and flying viaducts over seemly
impossible abysses and climb staggering heights. On the chestnut trail in Val
Bregaglia, the forest hiker has a different experience altogether. Astonishingly, the
chestnut played a vital role in the staple diet and economy of the southern valleys.
And those looking for a wildlife excursion in the Oberhalbstein will be led to the
habitat of the majestic ibex, Graubünden’s cantonal emblem. Here, this
impressive, almost mythical creature lives in colonies quite unperturbed by the
presence of people.
Wild animals from hares, to ibex through to the enormous and amusingly named
“bearded” vulture, all find a perfect environment in the Swiss National Park in the
Upper Engadin. Children can learn so much from the information leaflets or the
GPS virtual guides, Marmotin the marmot and Tumasch the red deer.
Back to where cattle graze and humans live. In the whole of the Alps there is no
other region with such an array of cultural diversity. The Italian-speaking southern
valleys reveal rustic stone-built villages and dotted among them the grandiose
Italian-styled Palazzi. These noble-looking properties were built by the wealthy
returning to their home valleys in the 19th century. In the Romansh-speaking Lower
Engadin the hiking paths wind their way through villages that have changed little
since Alois Carigiet illustrated them in his children’s book – “Schellenursli”.
Likewise the valleys of the Surselva are also Romansh-speaking. Here are less
ostentatious farmhouses lying on the fringe of many chapels and churches. And
sitting enthroned above the village of Disentis is the great baroque monastery of
Disentis. “Like a great white ark it rests at the foot of an enormous mountain chain,”
as one poet once described it. In the German-speaking part of Graubünden the
hiking trails weave their way gently through the farming land of Prättigau. In
Domleschg the trails pass between innumerable castles, Europe’s most denselycovered valley for such fortifications. Far to the north the paths move through the
glorious wine growing region and the little hamlet where “Heidi”, Graubünden’s
most famous daughter once lived.
The directions on bright yellow posts provide destinations and estimated walking
times. The red and white markings on trees, house corners and rocks direct hikers
safely along mountain routes. www.schweizmobil.ch supplies a well-documented
network of signposted hiking paths. It is almost impossible to go astray with the
exact route provided with the GPS. But Graubünden’s hiking guides can provide
much more information than just distances and estimated marching time. They are
not only well-acquainted with the gentlest or the wildest paths, forest glades and
the most impressive waterfalls; they also know all about the culture, the customs
and they know the history, which earlier generations retold. “To show and tell
others about where I grew up, has always been a joy for me,” so says Stefan
Moser, a hiking guide.
Those who really want to experience hiking at its most compelling, choose a
several day hiking tour such as the Senda Sursilvana route or the Via Valtellina,
moving from one location to the next. At every staging point awaits a delicious
evening meal, a comfortable bed and a new horizon. Whoever holds the idea of
evenings arriving at a hotel in sweat drenched clothes is completely mistaken. Most
of these longer tours can be booked with a range of very helpful extras. Not only is
hotel reservation included, but also the onward transport of luggage from one hotel
to the next can be added. A very popular tour filled with information about culture
and history is the Via Spluga, which was a major trade route plied by pack animals
through the German, Romansh and Italian villages. The start point is Thusis in the
Domleschg valley, the destination is Chiavenna, in Italy. The tour is broken up into
four very different stages: the route crosses the dramatic Viamala gorge, passes
through Schams and Rheinwald, climbs up the Splügen pass, then descends
through the gorge of Val Cardinello and the forested Val San Giacomo until it finally
reaches Chiavenna.
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For the start of a mountain tour it pays to leave the car in the garage and instead
climb on board one of the red carriages of the Rhaetian Railway. It is a powerful
experience to suddenly pass high over valleys and gorges along viaducts
suspended as high as 88 metres above the valley floor. A helpful addition to the
train are the yellows post buses, which reach right up into remote mountain villages
and valleys. Regular, punctual, reliable… and with a whiff of adventure. This is
ensured every time the driver manoeuvres the bus just centimetres from the abyss
or navigates around blind curves and sounds the horn with its distinctive three
notes, reminiscent of Rossini’s “Wilhelm Tell”, just to warn oncoming traffic.
In many resorts, which is unique to Graubünden, the cable cars can be used for
free whenever a guest books one or two nights’ accommodation!
Regardless whether it is slowly on foot or quickly by train, a welcome companion is
a healthy appetite. Welcome because in Graubünden there are so many wonderful
delicacies to enjoy. In the once closed-off valleys, an astonishing array of cheeses,
meat dishes and succulent sausages has evolved. Each valley has its own recipes
for dried meats, assorted-meat sausages and exquisite Alpine cheese. These
delicacies you can find in the local village shop, but also on the menu card of small
and large restaurants found along the hiking routes. There you find cheese from
the Italian-speaking region next to sausages and bacon from the Romansh valleys,
while the wine is supplied from the German-speaking north of the canton.
Whoever then has the good fortune to find the delightful wayside inn sits back on
the sun terrace in front of sun-bronzed timbers and savours a glass of wine or a
cool cider. Gradually, a contemplative mood envelopes the relaxing and content
hiker and draws out the philosopher. It now all seems so right; the vast open
mountain vistas and how three distinct cultures can complement each other so
well.
And should it rain, the hiker retreats into the warm tavern. Now it is time to order a
Bündner Gerstensuppe, a delicious, piping-hot soup or a Capuns, a mouthwatering herb-dumpling dish, rolled within marigold leaves and bake in cheese.
Finally, the meal is rounded off with a Nusstorte and gratifying cup of coffee.
Meanwhile, the forest emerges and fades back into the fog. Through the rested
hiker’s mind flow thoughts and pictures of this magical landscape and that is why,
despite the gentle patter of rain outside, he or she is so at ease. There is only one
answer: hiking in Graubünden is simply good. Maybe that has something to do
with Graubünden’s greeting – Allegra!
Hiking tips
• Take a hiking map with you, preferably a detailed maps with a scale of
1:25,000. The Swisstopo maps belong to the most beautiful and accurate
maps worldwide and they are available in local tourist offices as well as
newsagents, stationers, and shopping centres.
•
If you are not sure how long or difficult a tour could be, then ask at the local
tourist office.
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•
Ask local people about what is worth discovering in a particular place or
region. In most cases you will receive a friendly response and plenty of
ideas. It is hardly surprising, because people who live here love the beauty
of their canton just as much as the hiker.
Everything about hiking in Graubünden www.graubuenden.ch/hiking
Infos, advice and bookings: Graubünden Tourism, Alexanderstrasse 24,
CH-7001 Chur, Tel. +41 (0)81 254 24 24, [email protected],
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Graubünden Tourism
Corporate Communication
Summer 2013
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