Secluded Trails in Switzerland and Italy
Hiking Engadine to Lake Como
Overview
Hike the high trails of the Engadine Valley, tucked away in the southeast corner of Switzerland and home to some of the most spectacular—and uncrowded—trails in the Alps. We’ll pair our days on the trail with an exploration of the wonderful Ladin/Romansh culture and indulge in the local cuisine as we overnight in Guarda, Pontresina, and Sils Maria, three mountain villages filled with whimsical architecture complete with frescoes and fabulously ornate doorways. Some dwellings in these unique villages date from the 1500s and are well preserved. From our last enchanting Swiss village, Soglio, in the spectacular Bregaglia Valley, we’ll hike to the Italian border and transfer to iconic Lake Como for final hikes with glorious panoramas across this world-famous mountain lake.
Arrive: Guarda, Switzerland
Depart: Menaggio, Italy
Highlights
- Hike some of the most spectacular and uncrowded trails in the Alps
- Cross high alpine passes with breathtaking vistas of the Engadine Valley
- Visit lost-in-time Swiss villages, including Guarda and Soglio
- Learn about the Engadine Valley’s unique Ladin/Romansh culture
- Stay in family-run hotels and inns full of character
Itinerary
From the classic Swiss village of Guarda, we hike up into the majestic peaks of the Upper Engadine, with views of Piz Buin (10,850'), a striking peak in the Silvretta Alps that forms the border between Switzerland and Austria. Hiking across the high Fuorcla Val Champagna Pass (9,200'), we reach the panoramic spot called Muottas Muragl (8,050') to enjoy breathtaking views over St. Moritz and the lakes of Upper Engadine.
A balcony trail brings us to Capanna Segantini, a mountain cabin named for an artist who painted scenes from the Engadine. Crossing the Sentiero degli Stambecchi (“Path of the Ibexes”) across rocky terrain, we enjoy commanding views including Piz Bernina (13,280’). Another hike brings us up to the Boval Hütte (8,250'), right next to the Morteratsch Glacier and surrounded by the giants of the Bernina range.
We’ll hike up to the stunningly located Coaz Hütte (8,573') for fantastic views, then descend to the charming village of Sils Maria on the frontier between the Tyrol and Italy. On our loop hike on the long-distance path called the Via Engiadina, we are surrounded by alpine splendor in every direction.
Another spectacular balcony trail brings us to the sleepy village of Soglio, perched above the magnificent Bregaglia Valley. We’ll hike down to the Swiss-Italian border and drive along the shores of Lake Como to Menaggio. Our final hike takes us above the lake to Pizzo Coppa for vistas extending to Lake Lugano and beyond. Depart on Day 11 via Como or Milan.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 4, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking up to 8-9 miles a day and being on your feet for 5-6 hours a day. Trail conditions, weather, and the group’s level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
- 7-8 miles
- 5 hours
- 2,000' ascent/descent
Challenge Day
- Day 2: 10 miles, 6 hours, 2,500' ascent/descent
While not technically difficult and staying in moderate to low altitudes, this trip is aimed at those who have at least some experience mountain hiking. We will hike on variable hill and mountain trails, with occasional steep, uneven sections with loose scree, so participants must have good balance and be confident on their feet. Hiking poles are highly recommended.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared-make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip. However, some people still experience a few problems when they first reach high altitude. Slight headache and sleeplessness are the most common symptoms.
Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip. However, some people still experience a few problems when they first reach high altitude. Slight headache and sleeplessness are the most common symptoms.
Summer temperatures can range from the low 70s°F to 80°F, with nighttime temperatures in the mid-40s°F. Rain showers are a possibility at any time. Mountain weather can be fickle, and we are likely to experience a full range of conditions. Some days may have blue skies with temperatures in the 70s°F and some days may be cloudy, wet, and cold, making rain gear and warm garments necessary items to carry with you on every hike. At night, the temperature will drop quite a bit, depending on the altitude.
All hotels are chosen for their local history and central locations. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Each day, we'll sample the culinary delights that Switzerland has to offer. Meals will be taken at our hotels, at restaurants in villages, and at rural mountain cabins on our hikes, with the occasional packed lunch to enjoy in a scenic spot on our hike. For lunches and dinners “on your own,” the Trip Leader will be happy to recommend options for local restaurants. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our support vehicle will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day). We will also experience the efficient Swiss network of public transport, including cable cars, chair lifts, cogwheel trains, and funiculars.
Client Testimonials
"I cannot say enough good things about the trip. It was well-designed and took us to a beautiful part of Switzerland. Good hiking, great food and drink and very nice hotels. All pretty much perfect."
Steve H.
Verona, WI
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.