Kesch Trail in Switzerland?
 

Does anyone have experience hiking the Kesch trail in Switzerland? Have a few questions...thank you!

It's a 4-day hike between Davos and the Upper Engadine with overnights in huts. The landscape is impressive, but the nearby other Engadine valleys/mountains beat it, hands down.

Yes, we know the basics and our son and his 2 buddies have it all planned for July. Our questions are more about the terrain..

​​​​​ For example, how "rough" are the trails? What are the surfaces like? Are hiking shoes/boots required?

And, any specific advice for 3, 18- year- olds on trail?

Thanks so much,

Stephanie

Unless you find someone who has actually made that trail and can offer first-hand advice, I would start with the advice you find on the web (which already answers some of your questions):

The Kesch-Trek is classified as MEDIUM alpine mountain hike.
Which means you need a good level of physical fitness due to the overall length and elevations you climb and go down.
The trails themselves are not classified as dangerous.
The risks of hiking in the highest elevations of the Alps must be taken into consideration, especially the possibility of abrupt changes of weather and temperatures.
Any hiker should be willing to turn back to the hut or the start if proceeding into the planned direction means hiking into thunderstorms or other adverse weather.

Mandatory equipment:
Hiking boots (ankles covered), protection against rain and cold weather (yes, also in July), enough food and esp. water for the day, protection against sun (hat, sunscreen), first aid kit, trail map.
Mobile phones: no info if recharging is possible at all four huts

Hope you will find someone who actually did the trail.. and happy travels

I hiked all of these trails individually, separately in different years - never at once, never stayed overnight. The trails are a mix of smooth and rugged, especially over the passes you need to watch your step - blocks/boulders. For 18-year olds this will be fun, for a 3-year old I wouldn't recommend it. Weather is the biggest problem IMO - it can change rapidly, and at this elevation snow can fall even in summer. Also, staying overnight at that elevation (2,600 m) can be a problem (for me it is.) Cowboy pointed out all the important things like equipment etc.

I think OP meant three guys all of them 18 years old. :-)
But at first glance I also thought they planned to take one 3yo on that trek...

Well trained people can leave the bus at Abzw. Schwarzhorn at 8.20 and walk to Grialetsch Hut (10.30/11.00) - Seeboeden (12.30/13.30) - Scalettapass (14.30) - Kesch Hut (17.30/18.00) - Chants ar 19.30.
That's what I did many years ago.
But forget it with a 3 years old kid with no mountain hiking experience!

LOL, Cowboy, you're right. That happens when answering questions on Fodor's while at work ;-)