Engadine in the fall (Switzerland)

I just spent 4 days in the Engadin valley in the canton of Graubunden. I hiked along alpine lakes, looked at glaciers like the Corvatsch, marvelled at the flowers and rocks and enjoyed the mountain peaks like Piz Palü, Piz Nair and Piz Bernina.

In the mountains, fall comes early. If you like solitude, hikes with few people around you, this is the time to go. You can walk an hour without seeing a soul.

 

While walking you will see fabulous views, especially when the sun shines.

The various stones are suddenly so much more colorful and lively as before. On each path way, each stone either granite, marble or slate has its own history. You just want to touch it and find out about the hidden past of each tiny or imposing rock.

The rocks covered with lichens or with green-yellow colors and the large untouched marble blocks become interesting to the eyes.

On the hilly paths going down to the valley of Roseg with the reflecting sun on the rocks, geology became more fascinating to me than before. For this reason, it was worth the hike.

 

The grass foliages looked so red with the sunshine, appearing like a majestic red carpet. The tall grass bushes have vivid colors either yellow, a mixture of green or pinkish colors. You are just happy to be there.

The colors of the trees are changing from green to yellow and the pine cones slowly dying are turning into gray colors.

 

You can observe the reflection of evergreen trees or chalets in many of the ponds or lakes.

 

The snow in some places has not melted all summer long reminding us of the high altitude or the closeness to a glacier.

 

There are so many lakes (about 90 around St. Moritz) that you may soon be overwhelmed. I stopped counting after a while. But they are all different in size and looks. Some may be green, rectangle, transparent, or blue. During my hike along the Water path “Wasserweg”, I started guessing the name of each lake I saw.

 

Sometimes like in Fuorcla Surlej, one has the feeling to be able to touch the glacier. But bring your hat, it is windy up there.

Amazingly for this time of the year, many various flowers can still be seen along the paths like these purple flowers.

 

 

So why not packing your bags and taking advantage of the nice weather?

St. Moritz is only 3 hours from Zurich by car. You can also stay in Pontresina, close by.

Or why not taking the train to your end destination? The good connection with trains, buses make it easy for you to travel without a car. If you have the schedule for departures and arrivals with you, you will be able to maximize your time and arrive just before the gondolas and chair lifts leave.

Something good to know is that if you purchase at least 2 nights in a hotel and spend above 250 CHF per night, your transportation pass to all mountain trains and lifts in Engadin will be included.

If you decide to go to Engadin, happy hiking this Fall!

• Bernina
• Corvatsch
• Engadin
• glacier
• hiking
• lakes
• Mountains
• St Moritz
• Switzerland