Trans-Engadin

Day 1. Silbertal - Schönverwall - Zeinisjoch schön - Ischgl.

Silbertal: an old mining area, today quickly lonely and after about 5km no more stop. The valley begins narrowly, some waterfalls and steep climbs, in the height there are picturesque alpine pastures and individual lakes. Behind the Upper Freschalpe very impassable, long sliding distances in front of and on the Long Lake, and plenty of time to enjoy nature and the sea of flowers in early summer.

Schönverwall: grandiose tour under rocks, a landscape rich in drifts. At the Heilbronner Hütte life has us again, relaxed break at the Scheidseen, now the daily workload is almost behind us. Then a rapid descent on the Verbellabach, deep views towards Partenen and the Silvretta Höhenstrasse.

Behind the Kops reservoir and Zeinissee down to above Galtür, beautiful views on the high trail to Tschafein and then in the Trisanna Valley to Ischgl. There, the old town is now largely car-free and easily accessible through a parking garage with elevator.

Day 2. Ischgl - Fimbatal - Heidelberger Hütte - Fimberpass - Val Sinestra - Sent - Scuol - S-charl

The cable car relieves the tired muscles to the middle station. The valley floor is quite picturesque and quiet (except for the renovation work for the next winter season). The vegetation changes significantly with the altitude, the Heidelberger Hütte is located in the high mountains. In the hut there have been culinary specialties for several years, which are based on nature in the valley.

Behind the hut begins again a longer sliding distance to the Fimber Pass. There is a wonderful view of the Val Chöglia, and a challenging descent, which is almost without sliding distances. Behind Griosch through the meadows to the picturesque farm Zuort, one of the traditional "Swiss Historic Hotels". Behind the farm, the climbs in the forest force you to push again, then on a sloping forest path again and again views over the Val Sinestra and over to Vna.

In front of Sent opens the Lower Engadine, a view over many traditional places and buildings, also some ruins and contemporary art (Not Vital). Last rest in Sent, Scuol, or near Tarasp, then it goes uphill again, first on serpentines through sparse forest and then over spacious gravel heaps to the national park. Only on the last kilometers before S-charl does it get lovely, where several valleys meet.

Day 3. Pass da Costainas - Alp Champatsch - Tschierv - Val Mora - Lago di Cancano - Torri di Fraele - Arnoga.

The Nature Day. Behind S-charl first on the stream, soon in the wider valley through large alpine pastures. Varied landscape, always opportunities to stop for refreshments. Up to the pass, the path becomes a path, but not steep, the pass is almost inconspicuous. First to Alp Campatsch it goes down on a steeper road, later rolling down to Lü and on asphalt to Tschierv, always with a view of the Münstertal.

We meet the main road only briefly, the high-altitude trail runs south above the valley, through meadows and soon in the forest. A last valley view of Valcava, then it goes long uphill to Val Mora. Hardly any alpine meadows, but again and again spectacular views over valley sections under rugged mountains. All this on easily drivable paths - the Val Mora is firmly in the hands of mountain bikers.

Behind the Alp Mora, the Val Mora becomes narrow, along the course of the river a beautiful trail with many small climbs, then through a gravel field to the two large reservoirs. Here the loneliness is over, many day tourists - but also many unobstructed views and different perspectives on the mountains between Bormio and Livigno.

Behind the lake a small ascent to Lago Scale, in the background the Cima Piazzi, and then on a long flat high-altitude path over the Valdidentro to Arnoga. A day without pushing and with many photo breaks.

Day 4. Val Viola - Saoseo - Poschiavo - Bernina Railway - Piz Campasc - Pontresina - Zuoz.

Behind Arnoga it quickly becomes quiet and beautiful, despite the gravel road not very busy, and again and again with beautiful views of the alpine pastures in the valley floor or in the side valleys. In front of the Rifugio Viola it becomes high mountain barren, the pass has to be climbed on steep military slopes.

Behind the pass on partly laid out, partly old slope quite technically down to Lago di Val Viola at the tree line, again and again with views to the Bernina Group. Through forest and first meadows to the idyllic Alpe Campo and the Rif Saoseo. The many green alpine pastures are contrasted by the glaciers ahead. Only at the exit of the Val Camp at Sfazu has and the world again.

We have the day even more than cycling and drive on the road to Poschiavo, with the World Heritage railway back up to the Bernina Pass, with great deep views into the valley towards Tirano.

If you don't just like cycling, you can leave your MTB at Ospizio Bernina and climb the Piz Campasc.

The Bernina Pass is mostly populated. If you have time and don't like cycling, you can climb the Piz Campasc here and enjoy the action from above. The passage in the upper Val Bernina is also well developed, there are always cable cars and many parking spaces at the attractions to Morteratsch. The MTB trail to Pontresina is getting quieter, and in the village itself we can understand the glory of very old tourism in noble hotels.

Behind Pontresina it goes depending on your mood to St. Moritz, and then in the wide Upper Engadine valley to the west. The large areas under glaciated mountains look like a picture book. Zuoz, once the capital of the region, offers a closed ensemble in the old town center.

Day 5: Zuoz - Chapella - Scalettapass - Dürrboden - Davos

A beautiful conclusion, a barely used valley, again sliding routes at the pass, then down to Davos and let the day come to an end - or quickly board the train home.

Depending on your mood, stay in Davos, continue to Arosa and Chur or to Filisur, or close the round to the Montafon via the Schlappiner Joch.

Dangers in early summer 2018.

If you don't just like cycling, you can leave your MTB at Ospizio Bernina on the 4th day and climb the Piz Campasc: a moderately difficult alpine hike of about 3 hours. Descriptions on hikr.org: http://www.hikr.org/tour/post111272.html and http://www.hikr.org/tour/post86492.html.

After the end of the tour in Davos you can hang on for half a day or a whole day, for example

a. Via Schlappiner Joch back to the Montafon.
b. Strelapass via Panoramaweg, departure to Langwies.
c. ... and after Langwies even further via Arosa and Ochsenalp to Chur.
d. Departure to (south) west, through the train gorge (path 338), or the Epic Trail if there is a lot of time.

Day 1: from Silbertal to Ischgl. 50km, 1800hm

(Attention: for MTB crossing into the Rosanna Valley is only allowed from mid-June to mid-October)

The road uphill soon becomes a farm road, usually close to the river. Behind the inns Fellimännle and Hasahüsli (both on the other side of the river) steeply uphill. After about 10km stay in the main valley (not into the northern side valley to the Neue Reutlinger Hütte), continue to the Long Lake on sliding routes.

Wooden walkways over the swamp at the transition to the Silbertaler Winterjöchli. A bridge leads over the Rosanna, then steeply up the embankment and onto the road to the south. At the Ochsental again over the Rosanna, steep sliding route on a blocked riverbed, then again piecemeal drivable to the Scheidseen and to the Heilbronner Hütte.

Descent along the Verbellabach, short counter-ascent to the Kops reservoir, from Zeinisjoch on asphalt to the Tschafeintal. Above Wirl in a bend straight ahead onto the Höhenweg, only after Galtür cross the main road and take the hiking trail by the stream. Attention, at Tschafein do not turn south into the side valley (signpost Mathoner Tierpark), but stay at the river.

Day 2: from Ischgl to S-charl, 47km, 1900hm

From Ischgl take the cable car to the middle station, then on the farm road to the Heidelberger Hütte.  Alternatively (only with good visibility, otherwise the ski slopes and slag heaps dominate) to the Idjoch and on the border ridge (Salaaser Trail) to the south. (In case of bad weather, avoid the Fimber Pass and take the cable car to Samnaun.)

In the Fimbatal to the Heidelberger Hütte and further southeast over the Fimber Pass, which is almost unexpectedly outside the visual axes. At the exit at the first farm (Griosch) turn right along the meadows to Zuort, push through the forest to the road to Sent and Scuol. Before Scuol, the main road must be crossed and driven for a bit, then through the village (signposted) and south over the Inn. Direction S-charl first on asphalt uphill, later almost flat on gravel road, at the bus stop left and through meadows into the village.

Day 3: from S-charl to Arnoga, 65km, 1500hm.

On the river and through alpine meadows towards Pass da Costinas, at Alp Campatch steeply downhill, on the road to Lü and on into the Münstertal to Tschierf. Follow the signpost "Alpine Bike", take the cycle path downhill and after 1km onto the forest path south above the valley. Above Valchava turn right into Val Mora, on an initially steep gravel road over the pass and gently descending towards Alp Mora. Below the alp follow the path to the south, trails along the river out of the valley. On the lakes, Lago di San Giacomo di Fraele and Lago di Cancano, both banks and the dams are passable.

At the end of the reservoir turn right to Lago delle Scale and to the Torri di Fraele. Follow the serpentines downwards, after the 3rd bend on the high-altitude path above the Valdidentro to the pass road at Arnoga, along the "Trans Altarezia" path.

Day 4: from Arnoga to Zuoz, 55km, 1000hm plus train/bus.

Cross the road and then steadily uphill on gravel, behind the Rifugio Viola on a steep military road. At the pass, the MTB trail separates from the hiking trail, it is redesigned with grids and bridges over streams and continuously drivable. Behind the Alpe Campo again gravel road. Soon behind the Rif Saoseo, the alternatives for the daily routine separate (see alternatives). The fastest way is via Sfazu and there on route 432 or on the main road to Pontresina to the train station.

With the traditional train up to osipzio Bernina (hourly departure). At the Bernina Pass to Lago Biano and on to Lago Nero follow the signposted Route 1 "Alpine Bike" into the Bernina Valley. The route leads next to the main road to Morteratsch to the glacier garden, finally over the Ova da Bernina to Pontresina. Cross Pontresina, take the branch line to Punt Muragl at the exit of the village, and after the valley station follow the Veloland Route 65 into the Engadine. The route remains close to the Inn on the south bank, only after Madulein crossing the Inn at Zuoz.

Day 5: from Zuoz to Davos, 35km, 1100hm.

In Zuoz, follow the passage towards S-chanf, cross under the railway line shortly before the main road and take the path above the road. In the forest, keep right and descend on the side road to Chapella. Cross the river in the village and follow the signs davos / Keschhütte.

Only at the Alp Funtauna (was not managed in June) there is a junction towards the Scaletta Pass and Davos - from here again and again sliding routes depending on the condition. Behind the pass, continue on the trail to Dürrboden, from there follow the main road to Davos.

For the route itself, there are numerous alternatives...

On the 1st day, the Silbertal is a feast for the eyes - but if you shy away from pushing, you can drive up to the Kops reservoir on a simple slope via Partenen, or venture between the cars on the Silvretta Höhenstrasse.

On the 2nd day there are several alternatives in the FimberTal. It is most beautiful down in the valley - above it is ski resort and in summer is rebuilt for the next season. The Salaaser Trail is an experience with good visibility: take the train up, drive (and push) the border ridge and either race back down to Gampenalp - or push over the Fuorcla da Val Gronda.

On the 3rd day via Jufplaun instead of Val Mora: to Alp Astras, then some pushing to Fuorcla Funtana da S-charl (alternatively via Alp Champatsc and Alp da Munt). Continue to the Ofenpass, before Buffalora turn left over the Jufplaun, then steeply downhill to Alp Mora or Lago Livigno. See also: http://www.vttour.fr/sorties/pass-chaschauna-ou-passo-cassana,1461.html This saves altitude meters, so maybe in the afternoon over the Passo Val Viola to the Rifugio Saoseo.

On the 4th day there are many possibilities between Val Camp (departure from Saoseo) and the Bernina Pass. Preferably departure to Poschiavo and up by train. It is faster by bus from Sfazu. If you have time, you can take the trail descent to Poschiavo: MTB Route 32, Trans-Altarezia.