Need suggestions for Three days in the Engadine
Jun 8th, 2014, 06:13 PM
#1
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Need suggestions for Three days in the Engadine
After reading lots of posts and considering many options we have changed our plans which were to spend the first two days of our trip in Zurich before heading to the Engadine. So now our plan is to arrive in Zurich early on August 27th and take the train to Pontresina where we will stay at the Hotel Walther for three nights before taking the Bernina Express to Northern Italy.
I would love suggestions of how best to spend our limited time. I know the first day will be spent training to Pontresina and getting over jet lag, but I thought it might be good to get outside a little before crashing. Maybe a short walk out of Pontresina. But, what about day 2 and 3?
We are a group of 6 in our 50's and 60's. Not serious hikers but, would love to do some pretty walks, see quaint villages and gorgeous views. I've read about the carriage rides, is that something we should consider? Suggestions please.
I would love suggestions of how best to spend our limited time. I know the first day will be spent training to Pontresina and getting over jet lag, but I thought it might be good to get outside a little before crashing. Maybe a short walk out of Pontresina. But, what about day 2 and 3?
We are a group of 6 in our 50's and 60's. Not serious hikers but, would love to do some pretty walks, see quaint villages and gorgeous views. I've read about the carriage rides, is that something we should consider? Suggestions please.
Jun 8th, 2014, 10:15 PM
#2
You might get some ideas here, our first few days were spent in the Upper Engadine near Pontresina:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-oberland.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-oberland.cfm
Jun 8th, 2014, 10:27 PM
#3
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Hi Pawleys,
Are you folks up for a flat and easy bike ride? If so, I strongly recommend a ride along the Inn River, which of course runs from Innsbruck down the Engadin Valley. One of the nicest rides is around the lakes at St. Moritz -- you can rent bikes at the St. Moritz train station.
Hope Ingo will soon see this and add his great comments & suggestions!
Have fun as you plan!
s
Are you folks up for a flat and easy bike ride? If so, I strongly recommend a ride along the Inn River, which of course runs from Innsbruck down the Engadin Valley. One of the nicest rides is around the lakes at St. Moritz -- you can rent bikes at the St. Moritz train station.
Hope Ingo will soon see this and add his great comments & suggestions!
Have fun as you plan!
s
Jun 9th, 2014, 12:26 AM
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For your arrival day: Depending when you'll be in Pontresina you could still hop on the horse-drawn carriage that runs to Roseg Valley and back. They depart from the railway station at 3.10 pm and 4.10 pm (the latter only upon reservation in advance.) 15 minutes break at Hotel Roseg, then back, arrival at the railway station 5.45 pm / 6.45 pm.
For the next day I suggest bus to Punt Muragl, funicular up to Muottas Muragl, hike to Alp Languard, chair lift down to Pontresina. The hike will take about 2.30 - 3 hours, I guess, so you'll be back for coffee and (nut) cake at Kochendörfer's Hotel Albris' terrace (or Cafe Puntschella). The mountain hut at Alp Languard usually has yummy blueberry cake, so that's another option ...
The last day should be spent around Sils. My favourite is bus to Sils-Furtschellas, cable car up, hike via Marmore to Fex Valley (Hotel Fex, almost at the end of the valley, sunny terrace and very good food). If you feel up to it (I think you will), hike (walk) back to Sils-Maria, either on the sunny main trail (car free road) in the middle of the valley or on the smaller path in the woods (shade, but good views also). In Fex-Crasta see the little Gothic chapel with frescoes, have (blueberry) cake and coffee at Pensiun Restaurant Cresta. Continue either via main asphalt trail, passing the famous Grand Hotel Waldhaus, or take the smaller path via Fex-Platta and the small glen/gorge of the Fex creek. Either way, you'll arrive at the small main square of Sils-Maria. If there's enough time (I doubt it), add a walk to Lake Sils and Chaste Peninsula. If not, maybe see the Nietzsche Museum if interested. Bus back to Pontresina.
If the weather doesn't co-operate: Cheesemaking at Morteratsch, Alpine museum and Gothic church higher up in Pontresina (both: Check opening hours), Engadine and Segantini museums and Cafe/Confiserie Hanselmann in St. Moritz, the wellness/spa area in your hotel
You may also want to have a look at my St. Moritz page on Virtualtourist.com: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/a88f9/
For the next day I suggest bus to Punt Muragl, funicular up to Muottas Muragl, hike to Alp Languard, chair lift down to Pontresina. The hike will take about 2.30 - 3 hours, I guess, so you'll be back for coffee and (nut) cake at Kochendörfer's Hotel Albris' terrace (or Cafe Puntschella). The mountain hut at Alp Languard usually has yummy blueberry cake, so that's another option ...
The last day should be spent around Sils. My favourite is bus to Sils-Furtschellas, cable car up, hike via Marmore to Fex Valley (Hotel Fex, almost at the end of the valley, sunny terrace and very good food). If you feel up to it (I think you will), hike (walk) back to Sils-Maria, either on the sunny main trail (car free road) in the middle of the valley or on the smaller path in the woods (shade, but good views also). In Fex-Crasta see the little Gothic chapel with frescoes, have (blueberry) cake and coffee at Pensiun Restaurant Cresta. Continue either via main asphalt trail, passing the famous Grand Hotel Waldhaus, or take the smaller path via Fex-Platta and the small glen/gorge of the Fex creek. Either way, you'll arrive at the small main square of Sils-Maria. If there's enough time (I doubt it), add a walk to Lake Sils and Chaste Peninsula. If not, maybe see the Nietzsche Museum if interested. Bus back to Pontresina.
If the weather doesn't co-operate: Cheesemaking at Morteratsch, Alpine museum and Gothic church higher up in Pontresina (both: Check opening hours), Engadine and Segantini museums and Cafe/Confiserie Hanselmann in St. Moritz, the wellness/spa area in your hotel
You may also want to have a look at my St. Moritz page on Virtualtourist.com: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/a88f9/
Jun 9th, 2014, 12:54 AM
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Have a great time. Just one small tip: very close to the Pontresina train station is an excellent wine store (on your right hand side as you walk from the station into Pontresina itself). Very good selection of local wines and they have regular wine tastings. If you like pinot noir, try one of the Graubunden pinots.
Jun 9th, 2014, 01:02 PM
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In addition to the good proposals of Ingo, you may check:
gondola to Corvatsch (glacier and viewpoint),
gondola from Bernina Diavolezza railway station to Diavolezza, in the middle of glaciers of the Bernina group which cannot be seen from Bernina Express,
cablecar and gondola to Piz Nair (viewpoint).
I suppose you know that standard trains from Pontresina via Bernina to Tirano run every hr whereas Bernina Express trains run only 3times daily.
Trains Tirano - Colico - Bellano - Varenna - Milan run every 2 hrs. At certain hrs, it's possible to leave the train at Bellano and to go by boat up to Como and reach Milan from there by train.
gondola to Corvatsch (glacier and viewpoint),
gondola from Bernina Diavolezza railway station to Diavolezza, in the middle of glaciers of the Bernina group which cannot be seen from Bernina Express,
cablecar and gondola to Piz Nair (viewpoint).
I suppose you know that standard trains from Pontresina via Bernina to Tirano run every hr whereas Bernina Express trains run only 3times daily.
Trains Tirano - Colico - Bellano - Varenna - Milan run every 2 hrs. At certain hrs, it's possible to leave the train at Bellano and to go by boat up to Como and reach Milan from there by train.
Jun 9th, 2014, 02:12 PM
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Many thanks for your well thought out replies. Yes, Melnq I have read your report. In fact, that was one of the reasons I decided to omit Zurich and add 2 days to the Engadine.
I love the wine shop suggestions. I don't know much about Swiss wines but, will certainly try the Graubünden Pinots.
Swanday, the bike ride sounds great, how much time should we allow?
Ingo, thanks for suggestions for each day; but, I have a few questions for you and the others:
We arrive from the states around 8:30 AM.
1.Am I correct that we won't need train reservations to Pontresina?
2. Which route is best through Chur or Landquart?
3. There appears to be a long layover between St Moritz and Pontresina. It looks so close on the map, is there another way to get from St Moritz to our hotel?
4.Will we need a trail map to do the hikes you have suggested? And if so will we able to purchase one in Pontresina?
5. We'll be leaving Pontresina On the Bernina Express route for Northern Italy on a Sunday. When I checked the Swiss rail site there didn't seem to be any trains on that day. Am I right that we need to take the Rhaetian (sp) RR and if so do we need to go ahead and get a reservation?
6. We get a transportation package with our three night reservation will that be sufficient to do the walks you have suggested?
Thanks so much for your help>
I love the wine shop suggestions. I don't know much about Swiss wines but, will certainly try the Graubünden Pinots.
Swanday, the bike ride sounds great, how much time should we allow?
Ingo, thanks for suggestions for each day; but, I have a few questions for you and the others:
We arrive from the states around 8:30 AM.
1.Am I correct that we won't need train reservations to Pontresina?
2. Which route is best through Chur or Landquart?
3. There appears to be a long layover between St Moritz and Pontresina. It looks so close on the map, is there another way to get from St Moritz to our hotel?
4.Will we need a trail map to do the hikes you have suggested? And if so will we able to purchase one in Pontresina?
5. We'll be leaving Pontresina On the Bernina Express route for Northern Italy on a Sunday. When I checked the Swiss rail site there didn't seem to be any trains on that day. Am I right that we need to take the Rhaetian (sp) RR and if so do we need to go ahead and get a reservation?
6. We get a transportation package with our three night reservation will that be sufficient to do the walks you have suggested?
Thanks so much for your help>
Jun 9th, 2014, 06:03 PM
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"I suggest bus to Punt Muragl, funicular up to Muottas Muragl, hike to Alp Languard, chair lift down to Pontresina. The hike will take about 2.30 - 3 hours, I guess." LOL, I stopped to take so many pictures on that hike that it took me nearly five and a half hours! It is a gorgeous place to spend some time -- just ration your camera time or be prepared for the consequences!
Jun 9th, 2014, 06:13 PM
#9
1) Yes
4) Pick up a free map at the tourist office, or do some pre-trip research here:
http://www.pontresina.ch/en/winter/h...formation.html
I'm sure Ingo has the answers to your other questions.
4) Pick up a free map at the tourist office, or do some pre-trip research here:
http://www.pontresina.ch/en/winter/h...formation.html
I'm sure Ingo has the answers to your other questions.
Jun 9th, 2014, 09:45 PM
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Hi again,
For the bike ride, if you include the time to get from Pontresina to St. Moritz, renting the bike, doing the ride (taking photos, stopping somewhere for lunch), turning in the bike, and getting back to Pontresina -- I would allocate half a day for this.
Looks like it'll be a fabulous trip -- looking forward already to the trip report!
s
For the bike ride, if you include the time to get from Pontresina to St. Moritz, renting the bike, doing the ride (taking photos, stopping somewhere for lunch), turning in the bike, and getting back to Pontresina -- I would allocate half a day for this.
Looks like it'll be a fabulous trip -- looking forward already to the trip report!
s
Jun 10th, 2014, 09:37 AM
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2) Either is fine, whatever schedule suits you better. The part between Chur and the Engadine, however, is the famous Albula route (part of the Glacier Express, too) with numerous spiral tunnels, lots of bridges etc. - UNESCO world heritage site. I'd choose this one if I had to decide.
3) Please note that your hotel (Walther, right?) is uphill from the train station Pontresina, like most of the town. Best option is to get off at bus stop "Pontresina Post". Go to www.sbb.ch and enter Zürich Airport as departure point and Pontresina Post as arrival point. I got two reasonable options, dep. 9.47 am via Landquart - Vereine tunnel and dep. 10.13 am via Chur - Albula. With both options you don't go as far as St. Moritz, but get off at Samedan, where you either catch bus #1 or another train to Punt Muragl, where you catch bus #2 (the latter option).
4) There are free panoramic maps, published by the mountain railways (Bergbahnen Engadin), which are fine for these easy excursions. No need to buy an expensive hiking map. Like Melnq said, pick them up at the Tourist Info in Pontresina (down the street from Hotel Walther). Your hotel most likely also has these maps.
5) I found plenty of connections to Italy. For example, take bus #2 from Pontresina Post 9.36 am down to the train station (arr. 9.42 am), hop on the Bernina Express there - dep. 9.52 am, arr. in Tirano 12.02 am. Yes, you need a reservation for the Bernina Express for a small surcharge. This is one reason why I prefer the regional trains (and these have open carriages!)
6) Yes, most hotels offer that package "public transportation and mountain railways/cable cars included". All the walks are covered, bus/train/cable cars etc.
3) Please note that your hotel (Walther, right?) is uphill from the train station Pontresina, like most of the town. Best option is to get off at bus stop "Pontresina Post". Go to www.sbb.ch and enter Zürich Airport as departure point and Pontresina Post as arrival point. I got two reasonable options, dep. 9.47 am via Landquart - Vereine tunnel and dep. 10.13 am via Chur - Albula. With both options you don't go as far as St. Moritz, but get off at Samedan, where you either catch bus #1 or another train to Punt Muragl, where you catch bus #2 (the latter option).
4) There are free panoramic maps, published by the mountain railways (Bergbahnen Engadin), which are fine for these easy excursions. No need to buy an expensive hiking map. Like Melnq said, pick them up at the Tourist Info in Pontresina (down the street from Hotel Walther). Your hotel most likely also has these maps.
5) I found plenty of connections to Italy. For example, take bus #2 from Pontresina Post 9.36 am down to the train station (arr. 9.42 am), hop on the Bernina Express there - dep. 9.52 am, arr. in Tirano 12.02 am. Yes, you need a reservation for the Bernina Express for a small surcharge. This is one reason why I prefer the regional trains (and these have open carriages!)
6) Yes, most hotels offer that package "public transportation and mountain railways/cable cars included". All the walks are covered, bus/train/cable cars etc.
Jun 10th, 2014, 12:44 PM
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It's easier to change at Chur and Samedan(both same platform) than at Landquart and Sagliains.
Trains run every hr on both lines.
I don't know what you mean with a layover at St. Moritz. No Zurich - Pontresina itinerary goes via St. Moritz.
Bernina trains (Pontresina - Tirano) run every hr (as I wrote above) every day (Sundays and Holidays too).
Trains run every hr on both lines.
I don't know what you mean with a layover at St. Moritz. No Zurich - Pontresina itinerary goes via St. Moritz.
Bernina trains (Pontresina - Tirano) run every hr (as I wrote above) every day (Sundays and Holidays too).
Jun 10th, 2014, 02:20 PM
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Thanks again for all of your information. I'm trying to interpret the abbreviations on the sbb website. IC- Intercity train?, Regio X- a train, right? r-??
Generally speaking how long should we allow to get through customs, etc in Zurich. Our flight arrives at 8:30, oould we possibly make the 9:13 train?
Generally speaking how long should we allow to get through customs, etc in Zurich. Our flight arrives at 8:30, oould we possibly make the 9:13 train?
Jun 10th, 2014, 03:46 PM
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I believe the code is:
IC = Inter City
RX = Regional Express
R = Regional
If you click on the + to the left of any option on the sbb timetable web-site, you should be able to see details that spell this information out for each possible option. You may also see additional acronyms that are explained in the legend, which you may need to scroll down to find.
IC = Inter City
RX = Regional Express
R = Regional
If you click on the + to the left of any option on the sbb timetable web-site, you should be able to see details that spell this information out for each possible option. You may also see additional acronyms that are explained in the legend, which you may need to scroll down to find.
Jun 12th, 2014, 02:20 AM
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In addition to kja:
TGV, ICE, EC, IC and ICN trains are a bit faster than the others. They are usually fully airconditioned. ICE and ICN have usually and EC/IC have often dining cars or at least a minibar.
IR, RE and D trains stop at more places and are therefore slower. IR and D trains have sometimes a minibar. D trains are usually and the other 2 sometimes airconditioned.
R and S trains stop at all stations and are thereforfe slow.
GEX and BEX trains are not much faster than R trains, but always airconditioned.
TGV, ICE, EC, IC and ICN trains are a bit faster than the others. They are usually fully airconditioned. ICE and ICN have usually and EC/IC have often dining cars or at least a minibar.
IR, RE and D trains stop at more places and are therefore slower. IR and D trains have sometimes a minibar. D trains are usually and the other 2 sometimes airconditioned.
R and S trains stop at all stations and are thereforfe slow.
GEX and BEX trains are not much faster than R trains, but always airconditioned.
Jun 12th, 2014, 03:48 AM
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If we buy a ticket from Zurich to Pontresina Post and have the transportation plan with Hotel Walther, we won't need a Swiss Pass, right?
Also, Ingo, the hikes you suggest sound wonderful and I really want to do them. But, I don't want to scare off my companions. I think I had better call them "walks". Which of the two days would be easier? I thought we would start with that one and do the longer or more difficult one the last day.
Also, Ingo, the hikes you suggest sound wonderful and I really want to do them. But, I don't want to scare off my companions. I think I had better call them "walks". Which of the two days would be easier? I thought we would start with that one and do the longer or more difficult one the last day.
