Via Engiadina, Stage 9/12

The route starts in the cobbled streets of Ardez between attractively decorated Engadine houses. You then go uphill into Val Tasna and up to Alp Laret at an altitude of 2,205 metres. Rare alpine flowers thrive on steep rocky hillsides, and the view extends far across the Lower Engadine with its huge mountain ranges.

From Ardez station, the mountain trail initially leads through the village and soon reaches the slopes above the Lower Engadine. Above Ardez, the ruins of Steinsberg stand on a rocky outcrop. The route climbs steadily through sections of forest and across open meadows. With around 1,050 metres of ascent, the 14-kilometre hike requires stamina; the trail is marked white-red-white throughout, setting both its direction and character.

After the long ascent, the terrain becomes more open. The trail crosses pastures towards Laret and, near the end, reaches its highest point at around 2,240 metres in the vicinity of Muot da l'Hom. Most of the climbing is now complete. The final section leads across to Ftan, Prui. The almost five-hour hike ends there, near the Prui stop. The transition from shady forest to expansive high-altitude pastures, together with the steady ascent, defines this route above the valley.