Date: 9th – 19th of July, 2023
Private Dates: June – September
This hiking tour takes you to the traditional Alpstein/Appenzell area in the northeast corner of Switzerland. Later we travel by UNESCO Bernina Express train to the world famous Engadin/St.Moritz valley where we spend a view hiking days and sleep next to a hidden mountain lake in a beautiful, historic lake resort. A pearl with mediterranean climate awaits for the last days; the Lake Como area in Italy and the hidden valley of Bregaglia with the protected village of Soglio.
Highlights:
- Äscher, Appenzell hiking and Meglisalp in the Alpstein massif
- Churfirsten, the Toblerone mountains
- UNESCO world heritage Bernina Express train
- St.Moritz and the famous Engadin valley
- Soglio, the last hidden village in the south of Switzerland
- Lake Como and it’s mediterranean ambiance
Hiking Itinerary:
Day 1: Zürich airport – Train ride to Appenzell
We meet at 1pm at the train station at Zürich airport and take a train ride to Appenzell. Appenzell is a very traditional, small city near the German and Austrian border. Check-in at the Hotel, explore Appenzell’s traditional stores and taste the famous Appenzeller cheese.
Night and dinner at a Hotel in Appenzell
Day 2: Appenzell hiking to Meglisalp (1517m)
A short train ride brings us to Wasserauen(868m) and a cable car up to Ebenalp (1644m) where the hiking starts.
We descend down to the deep blue glacial lake Seealp (1143m) lake and pass the famous mountain Inn “Äscher” and the small chapel Wild Kirchli on our way down. Maybe you want to go for a swim before ascending steeply up to Meglisalp?
Our home for thonight is located on a high alpine meadow surrounded by steep limestone whalls. That’s where the cows enjoy their summer and the locals make the delicious Appenzeller cheese. We will make sure to taste some of it!
Night and dinner at the newly renovate historic mountain Inn Meglisalp
• 6km, + 400m, – 300m, 4hrs
Day 3: Meglisalp (1517m) – Fählensee (1447m)- Staubernkanzel (1860m)
If not the cowbells, than maybe the Jodel of the local farmer gathering his cows to milk them in the early morning might wake you up. We will ascend a pass today that opens up great views towards Seealpsee and the mystical Fählensee. After a picnic at the lake we reach Staubernkanzel along an impressive ridge walk.
Night and dinner at a beautiful Spa Hotel in Wildhaus
• 11km, + 1000m, -783m, 6hrs
Day 4: Klang Trail- Chäserrugg (2261m)
Today you will find out why the Toblerone is shaped that way and we even hike to the top of the most iconic one. The 7 Churfirsten peaks are the real Toblerone shaped mountains. We hike along a beautiful panoramic trail before a vigorous ascent to Chäserrugg summit, the highest of the seven peaks of Churfirsten mountain range. We picnic with incredible views over Walensee and the eastern Alps. A cable car brings us down to Iltios and a short hike to our Hotel for the night. The small Schwendi lake invites for a swim after the hike.
Night and dinner at a beautiful Spa Hotel in Wildhaus
• 14km, + 1240m, – 115m, 5 – 7hrs (shorter hike possible)
Day 5: Train ride Bergün (1360m) – St.Moritz (1865m)
We take a post bus and the UNESCO Bernina Express train to get to the Engadin valley and St.Moritz (1800m) in the south-eastern part of Switzerland. Along the way we stop in Bergün, a pretty village with typical old Engadin style houses for lunch. We along a high balcony trail deep into the Val Tuors, an untouched valley.
After our hike we continue by train to the Engadin valley.
Night and dinner in a historic Hotel in the Engadin
• 7km, +500m, 3hrs
Day 6: Hiking day in St.Moritz (1865m) – Muottas Muragl (2456m) – Chamanna Segantini (2731m)
We take Graubündens second oldest funicular up to Muottas Muragl. A hike on the panoramic trail from Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard offers the best views of the valley and it’s many lakes. We might spot Steinböcke and taste the best homemade pie in southern Switzerland. Our lunch spot is at Segantini mountain hut, a real alpine refuge high above the valley.
In the afternoon we can take an other short train ride on the Bernina Express and a cable car ride up to Diavolezza. There we enjoy the view over Morteratsch glacier, Piz Palü and Bernina. Europs most easterly 4000m peak.
Night and dinner at historic Hotel in the Engadin
• 10.9km, +450m, – 550m, 4hrs
Day 7: Hiking day in St.Moritz – Val Roseg – Fuorcla Surlej (2754m)
A horse wagon brings us deep into the Roseg Valle where we start our hike. We discover the beautiful Val Roseg on the foot of Bernina peak today. This is a very panoramic trail with glacier views towards the Bernina mountain and overlooking the deep blue lakes of the St.Moritz valley.
Night and dinner at a Lake Hotel in Engadin valley
• 15km, + 1006m, – 305m, 6-7hrs
Day 8: Via Panoramica from Vicosoprano to Soglio, Bregaglia
Walking into the italian speaking area of Bregaglia valley feels like stroling trough the last century. Things are still like they used to be. We walk on a panoramic trail just opposite of the famous granite climbing walls from Piz Badile.
Night and dinner at the historic Hotel Palazzo Salis
• 9.1km, + 449m, – 486m, 4hrs
9: Soglio – Bellagio, Lake Como
A private shuttle brings us down the valley and over the boarder into Italy. A completely diferent Flora welcomes us along the beautiful Lake Como. We explore the northern shore of the lake and take a boat to the Bellagio Island. The perfect place to celebrate the End of our hiking trip.
Night and dinner at a Hotel with great views over Lake Como/Bellagio
• 2km, 1 hr
Day 10: Train to Milano Airport, Flight home
A privat transport brings us back to Milano Malpensa airport or Como train station.
Luggage support
This tour is luggage supported and you only walk with your day pack. Please pack light as we take the luggage with us in the train sometimes. There are laundry options along the way.
Price:
4’988.00CHF / hiker with a group of min. 6 hikers max. 8 hikers
Included in the price: Organisation, local UIMLA – mountain leader, 9 accommodations in private double rooms with en-suite bath based on double occupancy, daily breakfast, 9 dinners, all ground transportations from Zürich airport on the first day to Milano/Malpensa airport on the last day, all cable cars mentioned in the program, luggage transfer, road fees
Not included in the price: Lunches, Snacks, Drinks, personal insurances, personal equipment (guide will assist in finding suitable places for lunch or organise pick nick lunches)
Map Appenzell hiking – Toggenburg- Engadin – Lake Como
Switzerland map with all our hiking destinations and Lake Como in Italy.
Video
Flights for arrival and departure:
The flights are not included in the price. We start our tour at Zürich airport (ZRH) in Switzerland and end it at Malpensa airport (MXP) in Milano. Optional we can also drop you at Como, Italy train station on the last day or you can take a train back to Zürich airport from Como train station. The train ride takes about 3.5hrs with one change in Lugano, Switzerland.
Hiking Level for Appenzell hiking with Engadin and Lake Como:
This is a moderate trek
8 hiking days with 4 to 7 hours of hiking daily, with 1900ft of average vertical gain each day. Hiking will generally be on well-maintained mountain trails, sometimes including easy off-trail sections. This trip is for active people who don’t mind training to prepare for the hike, or a great multi- day hike for people with hiking experience.
Insurances:
Travel insurance is not included in this tour.
We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance to cover cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability.
Climate:
Alpine weather can change suddenly, involving wide temperature variations. Temperatures also drop with altitude, and snow falls in summer are not rare. You should be prepared for cold andhot weather, while minimizing items you need to pack. You can find our packing list below. Please pack light. You can check the weather here.
Packing list for this Appenzell hiking with Engadin and Lake Como:
- 1 pair of hiking boots or shoes (high or low is up to you. We always recommend higher ones but the trails are generally in good shape)
- functional underwear
- 2-3 pair of hiking socks
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- 2-3 T-shirts
- 1 fleece or soft-shell jacket
- 1-2 pair synthetic hiking pants or shorts
- 1 pair long pants
- 1 pair shoes for after the hiking
- 1 pair of Sandals
- 1 sun hat, 1 warm hat
- thin Gloves
- 1 set of waterproof Gore-tex rain gear (Jacket and Pants)
- 1 thin down jacket
- Casual outfit for dinners
- Gaters (for tours in early spring)
- Swimsuit (some Hotels have a Spa or we can swim in mountain lakes)
- 1 hiking day backpack
- 1-2 water bottles, thermos bottle
- Sunglasses
- Personal toiletries
- Wollte or similar for hand washing clothes at Hotels
- 1 pair trekking poles
- Camera
- Blister tape
- Pocket knife
- Personal medicaments
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This trip far exceeded my expectations. I loved that we hiked and stayed in areas that are frequented by locals. This is where the Swiss hike and vacation. The hiking was challenging but having Ella as a guide made it most enjoyable. I heard very positive comments about Ella before the trip. She far exceeded my expectations. Jane