ViaValtellina, Stage 4/8

Through the wide, open mountain landscape of the Upper Engadine from S-chanf via Zuoz and Samedan to Pontresina. Picturesque villages with old manor houses and hotel buildings from the era of belle époque, alternating with a unique natural landscape.

From the S-chanf, Chesa cumünela bus stop, the route leads uphill through open meadows to Zuoz. In the village centre, it passes the Santa Chatrigna chapel, a cultural property of national significance, and the Tuor Planta. A short stretch on a mountain trail follows before reaching Madulain and the church of San Batrumieu.

The route continues mostly along a broad hiking trail across the wide valley floor. The artificial Lej da Gravatscha lies directly on the route; its name refers to the 2,755-metre Munt Gravatscha. Beyond the lake, the hike leads to Samedan and then follows the Flaz for several kilometres. Open meadows and the villages of the Upper Engadin characterise this long section, which rises only gently.

In the final third, the route enters the Stazerwald. The trail climbs gently once more between the trees and reaches its highest point in Pontresina at around 1,780 metres. After just over five hours, the hike ends near the Pontresina, Gitögla bus stop.