Walk Along Water
A walking tour from Lago Bianco to Le Prese, from freezing cold glacial lakes to the Mediterranean shores of Lago di Poschiavo.
9am - Bright Lookouts
The train ride from St. Moritz, past the Morteratsch glacier, offers the first spectacular views of the day. And there are many more to come. Before heading south after arriving at the station of Ospizio Bernina, make sure to visit photographer Guido Baselgia’s Camera Obscura. It is just a short walk from the station. Afterwards, follow the trail along Lago Bianco until you reach Alp Grüm. A few steps south of the lake, the idyllic scenery of the Valposchiavo takes over. Flowers bloom at the wayside, and the warm southern air is filled with sweet and spicy smells of herbs and tree resin.
Hike — Start at OSPIZIO BERNINA, to visit Camera Obscura: T. +41 (0)81 830 00 60
camera-obscura.ch - Ospizio Bernina to Alp Grüm, 1 ½ hours
11am - The Poschiavo balcony
Hikers often take a well-deserved break when they reach the Albergo Ristorante Belvedere on Alp Grüm. Enjoy a cool drink while admiring the impressive Palü glacier and its frozen water resources. The view of the valley below is just as rewarding; if you look closely, you can spot people taking a stroll along Lago di Poschiavo, enjoying their ice creams.
Taking a break — Albergo Ristorante Belvedere, ALP GRÜM
belvedere-alpgruem.ch
Noon - A delicious Alpine lunch
After leaving Alp Grüm, the pleasant trail takes you through larch forests and down to the Alpe Palü. Time for a delicious, wholesome lunch. Ilaria Vitali serves local specialties – polenta, pizzoccheri, barley broth – with an Italian touch at the Agriturismo Alpe Palü. She uses the Alpe’s own meat and eggs. Their animals spend their summer grazing the pasture nearby and on Alp Varuna.
Lunch — Agriturismo Alpe Palü, June – October, T. +41 (0)79 414 41 14
(advance reservations are appreciated)
2pm - Kneipp therapy in ice-cold water
A tip for summiteers: pleasure hikers prefer heading directly to Cavaglia. However, taking a detour via Lagh da Caralin is very reward-ing. You may have to cross some snowy patches, but it is worth making the effort. Half a dozen waterfalls plunge into the glacial lake. Lagh da Caralin is a solitary place, an enchanting stone arena played on both visually and acoustically by the cascading water. And the ice-cold pool is ideal for treading water.
Treading water — ALPE PALÜ to LAGH DA CARALIN and back
Difference in altitude of 393 m, approx. 2 hours
4pm - Cavaglia glacier garden
When leaving the Alpe Palü, heading towards Cavaglia, the trail leads along the Cavagliagasch stream, where volunteers of the Giardino dei Ghiacciai Cavaglia club have created a garden for visitors. They invested 150,000 hours to clear 32 glacial mills. Their new, equally spectacular project, the gorge below the glacier garden, is scheduled to open for visitors in spring 2021.
Explore — Glacier garden, CAVAGLIA, free admission, tours on request.
ghiacciai.info
5pm - On to Lago di Poschiavo
The Rhaetian Railway RhB will take you from Cavaglia down to Le Prese. On Lago di Poschiavo, a day filled with mountain air and southern charm comes to an end, with a drink on the terrace of the venerable Hotel Le Prese or a romantic boat ride. The journey back to St. Moritz follows the route of your walk along water.
Boats & Drinks — Hotel Le Prese.
hotel-leprese.com
Related Stories
The Widder Hotel is a fascinating amalgamation of townhouses from the 15th century spread across nine medieval buildings in the centre of Zurich’s old town. These structures have been skilfully combined to create space for 48 distinctive rooms and one exceptional Penthouse Suite.
Discover more
Zurich is the largest Swiss city – with vineyards. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 400 hectares of vineyards across what is now the city. Today there are still 14 hectares planted with all kinds of varieties. Of course, there used to be many more.
Discover more
I swiftly glance at my watch to be sure. Yes, it has indeed been only 38 minutes since I shut off my laptop at home in Zurich’s Seefeld district, and the moment I find myself in now, checking in with the concierge at the Dolder Grand’s SPA. It’s only early afternoon, but I feel I’ve done enough work for today. Admittedly, this renders my spontaneously booked hometown beauty getaway that tiny bit more decadent. I have brought a book along in the hopes of some peace and quiet, but … would you like to join me instead?
Discover more
Not short of its fair share of bars and cocktail lounges, Zurich boasts a bar for every type of patron. From white glove service to underground grunge and contemporary mixology, we feature ten of our favourite watering holes in the city.
Discover more
Mummy, is that lady in a bathrobe and towel turban the mother of the richest man in the world? One of my daughters asked me that while we more or less tiptoed into the Grand Hôtel du Lac Spa, trying not to be too obvious with our espionage.
Discover more
Founded in 1834, the iconic Hotel des Bergues was Switzerland’s first palace and Geneva’s very first hotel. A weighty landmark in its own right, it is considered by many as the number one address in town among the many upscale waterfront hotels that host Geneva’s well-to-do visitors flocking in from all four corners of the planet.
Discover more
It would be a bit of a stretch, considering I can hardly breathe in an underwired bra – but nonetheless, I can’t help picturing myself swanning daintily through the extra-wide, historic halls of Montreux’ legendary Le Fairmont Palace in my hooped skirts. But I’ll be damned if I let my old-timey daydreams get in the way of three days of proper pampering on the shores of beautiful Lake Geneva.
Discover more