Experience the unspoilt nature and wild mountain landscape of the Parc Ela Nature Park in Graubünden through this six day trek. Journey with us through this magical kingdom of high mountain passes, glistening lakes and rich alpine meadows.
We start at the base of the UNESCO Rhätikon train in the mountain village of Bergün and make our way through mountain forests, high alpine trails and over prominent passes. As we journey through varied terrain, we experience first hand the forces that came into play to make the dramatic scenery and home of high alpine flora and fauna.
The mix of traditional and alpine accommodation along the route gives a unique and authentic insight into Swiss Alpine life and its treasures.
This is a medium difficulty tour- perfect for hikers with experience in alpine terrain and good fitness. Most of the routes are along RED (Austrian Classification) paths. You should be prepared to walk between 4-8 hrs per day – with the longest days’ ascent being a 1000m climb. The walking pace will be around 300m/hr (ascent).
A real mix of trails – from easy, wider trails to narrower, uneven paths with some exposed sections. Sure-footedness and head for heights are needed.
We meet either at Munich Hauptbahnhof to take the train together or directly in Bergün.
Accommodation: 4 bed room with bath/shower, bedding & towel, WC, hairdryer (Evening meal, board & breakfast)
We leave the mountain village of Bergün and start our climb through lush alpine forest. Passing the tree line, we continue through alpine meadow and into the rocky landscapes of the Parc D’Ela. Our hut for the night is an idyllic self-catered Swiss Alpine hut. With a well-resourced kitchen, we are able to cook up a tasty dinner and relax with some star-gazing.
Accommodation: Shared room. Toilet & wash basin. Ingredients for dinner & breakfast provided and distributed by group to carry up. Group preparation, cooking and clear up are part of this experience.
Lunch: Packed lunch (Available for purchase at hotel or in Bergün).
We say goodbye to our Heidi hut and set off through the moonscape landscape to the Pass D’Ela at 2724m. The rocks of this area bear witness to the formation of the Alps. The mix of rocks from European and African continental plates, as well as sea bed, provide a stunning backdrop to our hike as we continue passed high alpine lakes to the next pass, Furschela da Tschitta at 2830m.
As we descend into the Val Tschitta we leave the rocks behind and enter an area of alpine meadows. Our route zig-zags through marmot territory and follows the babbling stream down towards the alpine village of Preda.
Our accommodation is on the outskirts of the village, where we can relax and sup up the mountain panoramas from the sunny terrace.
Accommodation: Guest house. Twin rooms with sink, shared shower & WC, Half-board (evening meal, board & breakfast)
Lunch: Packed lunch (Pre-purchase in Bergün).
After a good rest and hearty breakfast, we take a short bus trip up the valley towards the Albula Pass. Our hike then starts through low alpine pine and meadows, passing another glorious mountain lake until we reach the pass, Crap Alv 2466m. Descending into the Bever Valley we get magnificent views into this wild and luscious landscape, carved out by glaciers, which once reached up to 2800m in height.
We progress up the valley following the river Bever and wind our way up the Chamanna Jennatsch, our accommodation for the night.
Accommodation: Dorm room with shared washroom/toilet, Half-board (evening meal, board & breakfast)
Lunch: Packed lunch (Available for purchase from guest house in Preda)
After the highest night of our trek, we continue for a short stretch upwards into the basin of the Piz Agnel. Our trail winds its way up, passing the pastel coloured waters of the glacial lake below. Against the colour of the orange rocks around, you may have the impression of being in Iceland.
Here we reach the highest point of our trek, crossing the Fuorca d’Agnel pass at 2982m. We descend into the alpine meadows of the Val d’Agnel and reach our guest house below the historic Julier Pass, connecting the cantons of Engadin and Graubünden and used as a transport route since Roman times. From here we hop on the bus a couple of stops down the valley to sleep in the mountain village of Bivio.
Accommodation: Shared twin room with ensuite bathroom (Evening meal, board & breakfast)
Lunch: Packed lunch (Available for purchase at hut)
Reenergised after a good night’s sleep and hearty breakfast we take the bus back to the Julier Pass for today’s magnificent tour. We head back into Alpine meadow and are soon back in the world of high alpine flora and fauna, passing glistening alpine lakes and crossing high alpine passes. Passing over the Fuorcla Grevasalvas pass we get panoramas across to the Bernina glaciers and Lake Segl and Sils. We descend again and skirt below the southern most peaks of the Parc Ela, passing further crystal clear lakes. Eventually we climb again to the climax of our day- the Lunghin Pass, the triple watershed. A drop of rain here can travel into three different seas- via the Rhine to the North Sea, via the Po to the Med and via the Inn and Danube to the Black Sea. After celebrating this feat, we descend to our final accommodation of the tour, the Cas da Sett, a newly converted farm to mountain hut. Here we watch the sun go down over the Alps and can enjoy an evening of star-gazing before our final return to civilisation.
Accommodation:Shared 4 bed room (Evening meal, board & breakfast)
Lunch: Packed lunch (Stop at supermarket)
Our last day of the trek takes us down from the historic Settimer Pass, tracing the old trading route, down to the mountain village of Bivio. We conclude our trek in Bivio with a coffee beneath the peaks of the Parc Ela, before starting our journeys home.
Accommodation along this route has been selected for its character, traditional atmosphere and scenic location- giving you a mix of accommodation style.
Some days we are in traditional private guesthouses, and others in more rustic alpine refuges- giving you a taste of all aspects of Swiss alpine life.
Breakfast and dinners are included every day.
Most accommodations across the Alps can cater for most food allergies e.g. glutenfree, celiac etc if they have the information in advance - please let us know upon booking or latest 2 weeks before! Vegetarian options are also mostly readily available. Vegan eaters won’t go hungry, but will have limited options (this is the land of cheese, after all!) - we recommend packing extra snacks.
Parc Ela is Switzerland’s largest Nature Park. Located in the heart of Graubünden, it is made up of three languages and cultures - Romansch, German and Italian. With grand mountain peaks and vast landscapes surrounded by glaciers and mountain lakes, you get to experience wild alpine trekking. The proximity of high mountain passes Albula, Julier and Septimer Alpine passes paint a picture of the history of the nature, people and their products.
When booking a tour with 4elements it is vital that you have adequate valid travel insurance covering the activities included. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate insurances and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities. We also recommend Travel Cancellation Insurance (Reiserücktrittversicherung) in the case that you have to cancel a trip for any reason.
Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your country of residence. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter repatriation in the event of illness or injury –and covers the entire duration of your holiday. For this tour it is vital that you are covered for mountain search and rescue. One of the best offers for this is included in annual membership of the German Alpine Club Deutscher Alpenverein
If you are looking for insurance to cover a single hiking/ mountain tours (Wander- und Bergsportversicherung) or further insurances such as Travel Cancellation Insurance (Reiserücktrittversicherung), then we recommend the following provider for residents in Germany: Travel Secure
7 Days
Min. 4, max. 7 participants
Switzerland
Fitness:
Technical ability:
Info: Tour / Fitness Grading
Culture:
Cuisine:
Landscape:
Flora & fauna:
Info: Experience Grading
Looking for a tour for a private group?
We also offer this as a private 3-8 day tour option and can fully customise it to your group.
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