You want to be close to the only 4000m high mountain of the Canton of Grison and enjoy a 360° view of the Eastern Alps? Or you want to discover a hidden valley and swim in crystal clear water? Then pack your belongings for 3 days and head off into the very East of Switzerland; Val di Poschiavo will be your destination and you come back with memories you will never forget!
Day one:
Day two:
Day three:
Commuting time will, of course, be shorter by car but the scenic train journey – especially on the Bernina Express from Samedan to Poschiavo – is worth the additional time.
Take the IC3 train towards Chur (either at 07:38 or 08:07) with change in Landquart or Chur to Samedan and hop on the Bus No. 701 to Bernina Lagalp Gondola or take the train to Pontresina where you change to the Bernina Express with stop at Bernina Lagalp where you can store your luggage. The Cable Car runs every 20 min. and brings you up to Diavolezza. Alternatively, you can hike up for roughly 3h.
At the Diavolezza mountain station (2972m) you can take a refreshment before going on the less than 1h hike up to Munt Pers (3206m) for a fantastic 360° view. The view of Piz Bernina and Piz Palü with its three peaks is breathtaking. You come back the same way to the Cable Car station of Diavolezza and head down to Lagalb again. With the least effort, you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of glaciers and snowcapped mountains.
Take your belongings at the Station and board the train or bus to Poschiavo to check in for the next 2 nights at one of the hotels and enjoy a well deserved dinner on the lively square which offers an unique taste of Swiss “Italianita”. The language spoken in the Val Poschiavo is indeed Italian.
The next day, get on Bus 701 at 09:50 or 706 at 10:51 and change at Sfazu to Bus 703. Attention: you need to reserve the seats on Bus 703 from Sfazu to the end in the Camp Valley at least 1h before departing (+41 848 818 818). The bus takes you up to the Alp Campo from where you start the wonderful roundtrip to Lagh da Val Viola and Lagh di Saoseo. On both lakes, you have opportunities to go for a swim in these crystal clear waters.
Before you board the bus back to Sfazu or begin the hike along the creek out of the valley to Sfazu, you can enjoy a refreshment / snack at the Ristoro. Should you have to kill some time in Sfazu before the next bus comes to get you back to Poschiavo, there is the Hotel Zarera with Restaurant and Bar. The evening should definitely include either dinner or a drink on the Piazza di Poschiavo to reflect on a wonderful day spent off the beaten track!
On the third day, it is worth walking through the old part of Poschiavo with its sturdy old buildings and churches. Then take the bus or train (both 15min) or a gentle 1h+ walk to Le Prese for either a swim on the wild beach (don’t miss the swing!) or a nice comfortable walk around the lake.
The best connection to get you back to Zurich is B 701 at 15:49 from Poschiavo, Station to Samedan, where you change to the fast train to Landquart and then to Zurich (arrival 19:53) in just over 4h. You have, of course, alternative connections thereafter but they longer.
The UNESCO railway track from Thusis to Samedan as well as the St. Moritz to Tirano track.
Glaciergarden with glacier mills near Cavaglia “Marmitte dei Gigante”.
Tirano; a short visit to Italy at the end of the St. Moritz – Tirano railway track, incl. a visit to Plozza Vini, to sample the wines from Valtellina
