wrenwood

I'm thinking that maybe on the way from Tarasp to Soglio that we might hike the trail from Maloja to Lake Cavloc.

How long does it take, and where do you pick up the trail? All I can find is "in Maloja"

Ingo

Round trip is 3 hours minimum if you want to enjoy it (incl. a short picnic by the lake). I'd rather calculate 4 hours if you want to enjoy the scenery, take photos, walk around the lake and take the little path from the southern end of the lake back (meets the main hiking trail half way).

Maloja is not *that* big. Once you see the Hotel Schweizerhaus (the large wooden chalet, quite unusual for the Engadin) on the left side you might want to watch out for a place to park your car. If I recall correctly there is a parking shortly after the road begins to descend, on the left side. The trail starts a) vis-a-vis the bus stop by the post office and b) at the parking. It's not to miss. Any path on the left side of the street will lead you to the lake somehow. It's signposted.

wrenwood

Thanks Ingo, it sounds like that could be done if that's what we decide.

What are your thoughts on including this trail? Do you have any other ideas? Below is what I have planned.

We stay at Waldhaus 4 nights, not planning on any thing other than a nap, relaxing, maybe walk down to the lakes the day we arrive. If the weather is good for our 3 full days there we hope to do Muottas Muragl Day 1, Lake Saoseo and the Diavolezza cable car Day 2, and the cable car up to Furtschellas & hiking via Marmore to Hotel Fex and back to Waldhaus on Day 3.

In Tarasp we would like to visit the castle and walk around one day, and plan on an all day trip another day across the Ofenpass to Val Mustair and the Monastery, then north through Malles and Lake Resia to Nauders and south back to Tarasp. I read somewhere that this is a pretty drive.

The day in question (Lake Cavloc or something else) we will be traveling from Tarasp to Soglio. So after breakfast and check-out, I would assume we would leave Tarasp by 9-9:30, planning on 2-3 hrs to Soglio depending upon stops along the way for photos etc. In Soglio we want to hike the Panoramic Trail again from Soglio. That would be planned on our full day.The day we arrive in Soglio is the day I'm trying to figure out what to do. Hike to Lake Cavloc? Or, just take our time since we will be driving, photos ops at the Maloja Pass, maybe go to Vicosoprano which you said is a neat village.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Ingo

That sounds like an excellent plan to me. I cannot remember exactly what you saw on your first trip to the Engadin. Have you been to Guarda? If not, that is a must.

The drive from Tarasp via Ofen pass, Müstair and Reschen back to Tarasp is quite scenic, but does IMO not compare to those in the Upper Engadin. However, try to see the picturesque small town Glurns. Other places of interest are the castle Churburg and the church - only the steeple us vusible anymore - that was drowned in lake Reschen. Another idea is to detour to Samnaun - adventurous road up (no worries, I did it probably two dozen times so far) to get really inexpensive gas and do some tax-free shopping (chocolate is cheaper there also!).

On the drive from Tarasp to Soglio I'd include a stop in Zuoz. It is probably the best preserved village in the Upper Engadin. A half hour or so would be perfect. That would still leave enough time for the hike to Lake Cavloc which I highly recommend.

When you say do Muottas Muragl you refer to the hike to Alp Languard from there, right? That would be an excellent idea.

I.

wrenwood

Ingo, Glurns looks very cool, thank you. Will definitely stop there. And Castle Churburg, the Arcades and rooms look stunning! I guess we will have to get an early start that morning. There is also a 3-4 hr walk in the vicinity of the Castle, have you taken that?

And so important to know where the best place is to buy chocolate! I looked at the road to Samnaun on Google, my husband will love it, he loves "adventuresome roads".........but then again, he's not driving When we were staying in Oberammergau years ago, a biker told us about the road that goes from Hochgurgl to San Leonardo in Passira. It was the only road I have ever driven which I say I won't drive again ...............but maybe someday! I think he will like Reschenpass from Nauders.

When we were in the Engadine 3 years ago we stayed at Hotel Meisser in Guarda. We did some exploring in the area, but mainly just spent time in the town and went on the Bernina Express. We may try to go back there this time, I contacted Hotel Meisser, and the Zither Man, Werner Frey will be playing there. I'm hoping he'll do a church concert.

We did not go to Zuoz, so I will put that down on our itinerary, but I bet we need more than a half hour! We are very slow, and I always find so many pictures to take.

And yes, we are going to hike to Alp Languard from Muottas Muragl, and then take the chairlift back down into Pontresina.

We leave a week from tomorrow!

wrenwood

Marienberg Abbey?

wrenwood

OK, I think we won't have time for Marienberg Abbey ~ Glurns and Churburg Castle sound like more fun.

I think we'll stop in Zuoz on the way from Waldhaus to Tarasp, maybe even drive up to Samnaun that day. The tours at Tarasp Castle aren't until 2:30 and 3:30, so if we leave Waldhaus around 9:00 I think we will have time for Zuoz and Samnaun before Tarasp.

Ingo

I didn't mention Marienberg Abbey because one convent in one day is enough, even for me ;-) And no, you won't have time for it anyway.

Don't underestimate the driving times. The drive from Sils to Tarasp will easily take 1.5 hours, if not 2 hours, depending on traffic. And with the stop in Zuoz ... well, definitely NO time that day for Samnaun. (Btw, the chocolate in Samnaun is cheaper but not *that* much cheaper, and the selection is not as good as in shops that are specialised in chocolate, of course. Try the pralines at Cafe Hanselmann in St. Moritz - heaven!) From Scuol to Samnaun you must calculate at least 45 minutes. And can take 15 minutes from Scuol to Tarasp.

If you go to Samnaun, there are two roads up. One is the Austrian road via Spiss from Pfunds, the other is the Swiss road, meeting the Inn valley at Vinadi. The Swiss road is *way* more spectacular with several one-lane tunnels, very narrow and windy. I suggest that you drive the Austrian road up and the Swiss road down - if you do the detour after the Müstair-Glurns-Reschen drive.

Both Ofen and Reschen passes are easy to drive. You will like them. Your hubby, too. LOL

Ah, yes, I remember. The Meisser in Guarda. Ok, it's always nice to go back and say hello.

One more week to go only? I am jealous. Have a great trip!

I.

wrenwood

Thanks again Ingo, couldn't do it without you. Will think of you and toast you many times........................wine, blueberry cake, chestnut spread in Soglio.....

Ingo

You're soo mean! ;-)