8 Days & 7 Nights

4.4

Across the Swiss Alps: Klosters to Tirano

Cross the Alps from Switzerland to Italy
Explore the Alpine villages of Klosters, Davos & Val Poschiavo
Follow the route of Europe's most spectacular railway, the Bernina Bahn
Experience the mighty Glacier Garden at the foot of the Bernina massif
Relax in 3* Hotels and indulge in warming Fondue accompanied by Veltliner wine

Cross the Swiss Alps on this inn to inn walk, from the ski town of Klosters to the historic village of Tirano. Combine two of the top Swiss long-distance hiking trails, the Via Valtellina and Via Albula, with a memorable train journey on the Bernina Train. Hike from mountain pass to mountain pass, taking in the scenery and serenity of the traditional Alpine towns and villages along the way. Experience a night in the traditional mountain hotel, Alp Grüm, where you can soak in views of the Piz Palü mountain and its glacier. Every other day finishes in a comfortable 3* hotels. With well-maintained and signposted trails, Switzerland is a self-guided walker’s paradise. Combine this with mountainous scenery, fresh Alpine air, and seamless public transport, you have the perfect recipe for a fantastic adventure taking you over the Alps from Switzerland to Italy.

From $2,059.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Klosters

Travel to the well-known ski resort of Klosters, deep in the Swiss Alps. The easiest way to arrive is by train and thus the first scenic highlight of your trip. Trains run regularly to Landquart, from there the famous red trains of the Rhaetian Railway take you through the Prättigau to Klosters (approx. 40 minutes).

Overnight Klosters

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Wynegg | Hotel

Hotel Wynegg has been welcoming guests to Klosters for 140 years and was renovated and reopened in 2013. The restaurant awaits you with Swiss cuisine and international specialties.

Sport Lodge Klosters | Hotel

The family-run Sport-Lodge Klosters offers panoramic views of the Gotschna mountain. Enjoy a drink in the lounge by a warming fireplace, or soak warm your muscles in their sauna, a fitness room, and a beauty salon.

UPGRADE Hotel Alpina | 4 Star | Hotel

The 4 * Hotel Alpina is located directly opposite the centre of Klosters-Platz (Main Square). The well-kept house offers Swiss comfort, a large wellness area and an in-house restaurant.

Day 2 Walk to Davos 6.5 miles / 11 km

Enjoy a choice of walks, hike on the Via Valtellina, passing green alpine meadows and Lake Davos before reaching Davos. Alternatively take the Gotschnagratbahn train up to loftier heights and walking along the panorama trail to the mountain station of the Parsennbahn train before descending to Davos.

Valley hike via Valtellina: 11 km, Ascent/Descent: 600/500 m

Panorama Trail: 11 km, Ascent/Descent: 600/150 m

Overnight Davos

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hilton Garden Inn Davos | Hotel

The hotel is centrally located in Davos and awaits you with its modern rooms. The hotel's own wellness area invites you to relax after your hike and you can enjoy your evening meal in the in house restaurant.

Hotel Edelweiss | Hotel

Hotel Edelweiss resides in a historic building is a quiet corner of Davos. Enjoy a stay in the individually decorated rooms. Indulge on delicious Swiss and Grisons cuisine served in the traditional dining room.

Day 3 Walk to Filisur and take the train to Bergün 6.5 miles / 11 km

Take the train to the Davos Monstein train station (approx. 15 minutes) and cross the lofty Wiesener Viaduct, which towers over the Landwasser River, 90m below it. Hike through the Zügen Gorge to the mountain village, Filisur. Take the Rhaetian Railway to the historic picture-perfect town of Bergün (approx. 20 minutes). Stroll through the mountain village as you are transported back in time, marvel at its traditional houses decorated with ornate frescoes and large bay windows.

Ascent/Descent: 550m/750 m

The Zügen Gorge has been reopened so above walk should be possible. If closed again, here are two alternative hikes:

Hike from Davos Wiesen to Bergün, approx. 14 km (640/460 metres in altitude): Here, take the train from Davos to Davos Wiesen in the morning (instead of Davos Monstein), hike along the viaduct trail and on to the Walser way to Filisur, and join the Via Albula to Bergün.
Viaduct circular hike, approx. 14 km (360/360 m ascent): Take the train from Davos to Filisur in the morning. In addition to the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct, learn about the accessible Wiesner Viaduct, the Cavja Viaduct, and the Schmittner Viaduct. After the tour, take the train to Bergün.

Overnight Bergün

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Kurhaus Bergün | Hotel

The Kurhaus Bergün is located at 1,400m above sea level at the foot of the Albula Pass. The hotel awaits you with Art Nouveau styled rooms and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Hotel Ladina

The Hotel Ladina in Bergün is in a quiet location near the Bergün train station, where the famous Rhaetian Railway stops. It offers cozy en-suite rooms, an exquisite restaurant with local specialities and a view of the Grisons Alps.

Day 4 Walk to Pontresina 10 miles / 16 km

Today, you have a choice of walks. For an easy option, hike the trail following the railway line, cross lush alpine meadows, walk along rocky slopes, and marvel at the engineering of the railway line. The trail ends in Preda. Embark on a small loop walk to the crystal-clear Lake Palpuogna before boarding the train to Pontresina.

More adventurous hikers can embark on a stage of the Via Albula: Take the train from Bergun to Preda in the morning. Walk past the Palpuogna Lake, and cross the Alp Weissenstein (Crap Alv) to reach the beautiful mountain lakes Crav Alv Laelets. Find an idyllic place to take a break before tackling the last few meters to the pass, and with a bit of luck, you can spot an ibex high up on the mountainside. Descend steeply to the village of Bever. From here, you take the train to Pontresina (20min).

In the Engadin town of Pontresina, admire the painted historic houses in the evening or watch the alpine glow on the hotel's terrace with a glass of wine or Swiss beer and recharge your batteries for the next day.

Railway Trail: 11 km, Ascent/Descent 600/760 m

King's Stage: 16 km, Ascent/Descent 700/760 m

Overnight Pontresina

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Sporthotel Pontresina | Hotel

Stay in a hotel, built in 1881. The family-run Art Nouveau hotel is a local favourite with modern rooms, a wide selection of local specialities for breakfast and in an ideal location in the middle of the village.

Hotel Steinbock | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Steinbock offers a warm and friendly welcome to all walkers.

Hotel Allegra | Hotel

The Hotel Allegra is located in the centre of Pontresina, with modern rooms designed according to the principles of Feng Shui. The property is directly connected to the Bellavita Spa, which has indoor and outdoor pools.

Day 5 Walk to Alpe Grüm 6.5 miles / 11 km

Today is one of the highlights of the trip. Cross the Bernina Pass to the traditional Mountain Hotel, Alpe Grüm. This day can be divided into three hiking sections and you can decide which section you would like to hike or experience by train.

All sections can be hiked individually or in combination. You can shorten parts of the hike with the Rhaetian Train at any time during the day and thus have full flexibility as to what you want to experience on that day.

Pontresina - Morteratsch: 8.5 km, Ascent/Descent 250/180m

Morteratsch - Bernina Pass:11 km, Ascent/Descent 400/250 m

Bernina Pass - Alpe Grüm: 7 km, Ascent/Descent 150/350 m

Overnight Alpe Grüm

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Berggasthof Alpe Grüm | Hut

The Mountain Hotel, Alpe Grüm is uniquely locatied below the Pitz Palü Moutnain and with a view of it's glacier. Directly on the UNESCO railway line Bernina Express, the house offers newly renovated, simple rooms. In the evening, delicious Swiss food is served in the restaurant.

Ospizio Bernina | Hotel

The Hotel Ospizio Bernina is located next to the highest railway station (2253 m above sea level) in the Rhaetian Railway network, the Ospizio Bernina station. The hotel awaits you with newly renovated rooms and its own restaurant.

Day 6 Walk to Poschiavo 6.5 miles / 11 km

Today's stage meanders from Alpe Grüm down into the Italian-influenced Val Poschiavo. Start your day hiking towards the milky-blue Palü Lake. In the high valley of Cavaglia, take a detour to admire the Glacier Garden, where the glacier water has carved shapes into the rock. From Cavaglia the hiking trail winds its way over the idyllically located Maiensassen and down into the lush green valley of Poschiavo.

In Poschiavo you will be greeted with an Italian Dolce Vita flair, enjoy an ice-cream on the Plazzo Centrale. In the evening try the local charcuterie, such as Luganighe with a chilled glass of Veltliner wine.

Ascent /Descent: 100/1100 m

Overnight Poschiavo

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Centrale Poschiavo | Hotel

Stay in the heart of the historic village centre of Poschiavo in Hotel Centrale

Hotel Croce Bianca | Hotel

The family run hotel, Croce Bianca is centrally located in Poschiavo. The renovated rooms are bright and modern. The Hotel manager Claudio runs the kitchen and spoils his guests at the in-house restaurant.

Cà del Borgo | Hotel

This hotel building is from the 18th century and located in the center of Poschiavo. The rooms and suites equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, Wi-Fi, and TV. All rooms are accessible by an elevator. They are modernly furnished, while still preserving the character of an antique palace. Breakfast is served at Hotel Centrale, 1 minute walk away.

Day 7 Walk to Lago Poschiavo, take the train Tirano 8.5 miles / 14 km

On the last day of hiking, enjoy a flat hike through the green Val Poschiavo where you can soak up the warming rays of the Italian sun. Hike to Lago Poschiavo on dirt roads and winding riverside paths. Watch as the Bernina Express train makes its way round the world-famous circular viaduct of Brusio. Take the train over the circular viaduct and continue slightly downhill towards Italy and the border town of Tirano. Enjoy a final beer in Tirano where hikers, cyclists and rail enthusiasts alike meet to finish their adventures.

Ascent /Descent: 350/600 m

Overnight Tirano

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Bernina | Hotel

This uncomplicated hotel is centrally located, which is extremely useful when arriving by train, and for exploring this beautiful town.

Hotel Corona | 3 Star | Hotel

The Hotel Corona is located on Tirano's main street, only 100 meters from the starting point of the famous Bernina Express red train. The rooms are simple and have all been recently renovated.

Hotel Centrale Tirano | 4 Star | Hotel

Das Hotel Centrale befindet sich im Herzen der Altstadt von Tirano, eingebettet in einer bezaubernden Atmosphäre zwischen historischen Strassen und antiken Palästen.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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