Villages of the Engadine

Engadine Valley – discover Switzerland’s most idyllic villages
 
Hotels of great character and delicious cuisine are just two of the features of this self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transported. Another is the idyllic scenery – think timeless villages, tranquil meadows and Switzerland’s only national park.
Villages of the Engadine. 6 nights
Villages of the Engadine. 6 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Engadine

Step into another world as you explore the idyllic, Romansch-speaking Engadine Valley and its timeless villages, some of the most beautiful in all of the Alps. Visitors continue to be astonished by the silent splendour of these ancient villages, characterised by their sturdy stone-built houses with deeply-recessed windows, arched doorways and intricately painted façades. On this marvellous discovery of the lower and upper Engadine – both very different in character – you stay in two of the most picturesque villages, Guarda and Sils.
This is a region made for walkers, and linking the villages are splendid paths close to the River Inn and across the upper slopes that offer different perspectives of this long valley.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is from late May to early July.
     
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C -2 1 3 6 11 15 19 19 16 11 3 -2
    mm 113 96 111 122 132 150 155 162 126 108 124 112
  • Arrival in Guarda
    Night 1: at Hotel Meisser (the first of three nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Choice of walks from Guarda: 10km to 15km

    Tuoi Valley option (grade 2-3): 11.5km, 4.5hrs; 670m ascent/descent
    Head up the Tuoi Valley, ascending some 500 metres so as to gain superb views towards one of the most famous peaks in the area, Piz Buin. You follow the scenic Clozza River then head back through forest and fields to Guarda.

    High option (grade 3): 15km, 6hrs; 1000m ascent/descent
    This longer option features even more ascent and descent, but rewards with flower-filled meadows, old larch and spruce woods, a panoramic ridge and magnificent views southwards and into Austria.

    Lavin option (grade 1-2): 10km, 3.5hrs; 410m ascent/descent
    For a less demanding walk, cross the lower slopes of the Inn Valley to the attractive village of Lavin with its remarkable covered wooden bridge, from where you walk alongside the River Inn and then ascend some 180 metres back up the valley slopes to Guarda.
    Panoramic routes
    Tuoi valley option: 11.5km
    High option: 15km
    Lavin option: 10km
  • Guarda to Sils via the Swiss National Park
    Today, you take the train (included) south to Zuoz, enjoying the new views that are revealed as the valley widens. There’s some wonderful walking to be had here, and we provide notes for a route through the Swiss National Park.

    National Park walk (grade 2): 12km, 4hrs; 425m ascent/475m descent
    This route through Switzerland’s only National Park is a real highlight, offering the opportunity to see wildlife including red deer and even chamoix, ibex and golden eagles if you are lucky. Our loop takes you up one side of a valley and back down the other, the real joy of the walk being discovering scenery as nature intended it.

    From Zuoz, continue by rail and bus into the upper Engadine and your next destination – the Italianate village of Sils, where you spend your final three nights at the delightful Hotel Privata.
    The Swiss National Park
    National Park walk: 12km
  • Choice of walks from Sils: 12.5km to 18km
    We suggest several options for your time in Sils. Your hosts will provide you with a travel pass that gives free travel on various cable cars, buses and trains in the local area.

    Lake Sils option (grade 2-3): 18km, 6hrs; 530m ascent/descent
    We highly recommend this panoramic circuit of Lake Sils, which takes in the village above the lake where the original screen version of Heidi was filmed.

    Furtschellas option (grade 2-3): 13km, 4.5hrs; 375m ascent/1260m descent
    Another walk takes you into the high mountains by cable car for views of Piz Bernina and its glaciers before descending on foot back to Sils via the lakes near Furtschellas. Descend by cable car to shorten the walk and reduce the descent.

    Piz Nair option (grade 3): 17km, 5.5hrs; 310m ascent/1510m descent
    This third option begins with a bus ride north-east to glamorous St Moritz, from where you can travel by cog railway and cable car (free with your Mountain Railways card) to the summit of Piz Nair. Enjoy the staggering views over the Upper Engadine before beginning your return route, which descends through the rugged Suvretta valley before continuing along the lakeside back to Sils.

    Fex valley option (grade 2-3): 12.5km, 5hrs; 760m ascent/descent
    Or, you can climb directly out of Sils along the Muott’ Otta, enjoying views to the peaks on the Italian border, returning via the quiet Fex valley; don’t miss the chapel in Crasta with its 16th-century frescoes which were hidden for hundreds of years before being rediscovered just 100 years ago.
    Lake Sils
    Lake Sils option: 18km
    Furtshellas option: 13km
    Piz Nair option: 17km
    Fex Valley option: 12.5km
 

Accommodation

You stay in hotels of great character in two of Switzerland's most beautiful villages.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 6 nights: 15 June 2024 - 13 October 2024 & 15 June 2025 - 13 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 - 20 Jun 2024 £1550 £135
    21 Jun - 30 Jul 2024 £1655 £135
    31 Jul - 24 Aug 2024 £1470 £135
    25 Aug - 7 Oct 2024 £1545 £135
    15 - 20 Jun 2025 £1615 £145
    21 Jun - 30 Jul 2025 £1725 £145
    31 Jul - 24 Aug 2025 £1520 £145
    25 Aug - 7 Oct 2025 £1600 £145
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    6 nights: 15 June 2024 - 13 October 2024 & 15 June 2025 - 13 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 - 20 Jun 2024 £2010 £135
    21 Jun - 30 Jul 2024 £2115 £135
    31 Jul - 24 Aug 2024 £1930 £135
    25 Aug - 7 Oct 2024 £1970 £135
    15 - 20 Jun 2025 £2095 £145
    21 Jun - 30 Jul 2025 £2200 £145
    31 Jul - 24 Aug 2025 £2000 £145
    25 Aug - 7 Oct 2025 £2040 £145
    3rd & 4th person discount £0
    Single traveller supplement £0

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: Out: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Guarda (TGV/regional rail/bus), approx. duration 11h15 plus 0h02 walk to the hotel. Home: Sils–Paris (bus/regional rail/TGV), Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx. duration 13h plus 0h05 walk from the hotel.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    6 nights: 15 June 2024 - 13 October 2024 & 15 June 2025 - 13 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    15 - 20 Jun 2024 £1700 £135
    21 Jun - 30 Jul 2024 £1850 £135
    31 Jul - 24 Aug 2024 £1665 £135
    25 Aug - 7 Oct 2024 £1740 £135
    15 - 20 Jun 2025 £1815 £145
    21 Jun - 30 Jul 2025 £1925 £145
    31 Jul - 24 Aug 2025 £1720 £145
    25 Aug - 7 Oct 2025 £1800 £145
    3rd & 4th person discount -£150 to -£155
    Single traveller supplement £150 to £160

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    We also include the bus/rail travel back to the first hotel at the end of your holiday to collect your car.
    > More information about travelling self-drive

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel Meisser, Guarda
    Double with balcony (no twins): 15 Jun - 13 Oct 2024 £40
    Double with balcony (no twins): 15 Jun - 13 Oct 2025 £42
    Hotel Privata, Sils
    Superior double (no twins): 15 Jun - 13 Oct 2024 £18
    Superior double (no twins): 15 Jun - 13 Oct 2025 £19

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel Meisser, Guarda (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 Jun - 13 Oct 2024 £205 £236
    15 Jun - 13 Oct 2025 £215 £247
    Hotel Privata, Sils (with dinner) Double room Single room
    15 Jun - 28 Jun 2024 £185 £216
    29 Jun - 09 Aug 2024 £210 £241
    10 Aug - 13 Oct 2024 £185 £216
    15 Jun - 28 Jun 2025 £195 £227
    29 Jun - 09 Aug 2025 £220 £252
    10 Aug - 13 Oct 2025 £195 £227
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Zürich
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Aberdeen - Zurich (via Paris) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Zurich Swiss 
    Birmingham - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Zurich Swiss 
    Bristol - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Zurich Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Zurich easyJet,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Zurich British Airways,  Swiss 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Zurich easyJet,  Vueling 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Zurich Lufthansa,  Swiss 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Zurich (via Munich) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Zurich (via Paris CDG) Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Zurich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Zürich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    If purchasing outward connecting travel through Inntravel, the homeward travel is at no extra cost.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Zürich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Zurich airport to Guarda station (2h45), postbus Guarda station to village (0h08) £128-£135 1600
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to bus stop (0h05), bus Sils to St Moritz (0h25), rail St Moritz to Zürich airport (3h40) included in outward price 1400
What is included
  • 6 nights
  • 6 dinners
    2 picnics
    6 breakfasts
  • luggage transported (1 bag per person)
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • travel Guarda-Sils
  • travel pass for Sils area
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Switzerland, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official languages are German, spoken in the majority of the country; French, spoken in the south-west; Italian, spoken in the south-east; and Romansch, mostly limited to the Engadine valley. The currency is the Franc. Swiss time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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