Looking for some travel inspiration? We have put together a list of our favorite Engadin locations and activities for a perfect alpine summer escape. Maybe this will inspire you to join us here in the Swiss Alps in the next months and let us make you fall in love with the pristine beauty of our Valley!
In the Valley and up in the Mountains
10’000 daily steps: walking and hiking are the essential components of the alpine summer season. Picture perfect landscapes (imagine bright blue skies, a bit of snow on mountain peaks, then green hills and forests, flowering meadows and crystal clear lakes reflecting as a mirror all of this beauty!), freshest air, the perfume of pine trees and kilometers of marked mountain hiking trails and valley walking paths for any level – doesn’t this sound as a dream or a part of Switzerland Tourism advert with Mr. Federer? It does, but it is as well the summer reality of our Valley.
Our „must“ list for the upcoming summer includes:
– To walk the Schmugglerweg in Maloja (which is always a hit with children), reach the lake of Cavloc and have a well-deserved BBQ session there.
– The Fex Valley: starting from the village of Sils, walk up the main road till the end of the valley, say hello to the alpacas, hike back, have a tasty lunch on the terrace of Sonne restaurant and then slowly return to the village via the gorge path.
– The Roseg Valley: discover it in a „lazy way“. By horse carriage to the end of the valley, lunch with the famous dessert buffet at Hotel Roseg Gletscher, and then burn out the calories during the 7 km walk back to the parking.
– Muottas Muragl: come up with the funicular, walk all the way up to the Segantini Hütte, have a refreshment, and continue to the Languard lift to come down to Pontresina.
– The Mater Trail at Furtschellas is on our list for this summer too, best in August, when the hills around the trail are covered with blueberries. Searching for berries and mushrooms in the Engadine forests is a lot of fun for children too.
– Another plan that combines moving and some culinary highlights is walking The Waterfall Path, enjoying a super tasty brunch open air at Alp-Schaukäserei, and then having another walk to the Morteratsch Glacier to check if there are any new ice caves to discover.
– Alp Grüm and The Glacier Garden of Cavaglia: this one includes a panoramic train ride, a bit of walking, lunch with a fantastic view of the glacier, and hiking again to discover the giant pots and rock caves.
For those who are into running and mountain biking, Engadin is a true paradise too. For runners, including numerous international top athletes, Engadine altitude training is a part of the yearly program, and for mountain bikers there are more than 400 km of sign-posted routes. There is as well St. Moritz Running Festival happening yearly (09 – 11.08.24).
If mountain biking is not your thing, try cruising Engadin on an e-bike which is pure joy! And don’t forget about one of the most historic ways of transportation: horseback riding. Engadin has some great ranches too!
What is more on our summer list? Tennis open air (what is important – on the very fresh alpine air!), golf sessions on the oldest Engadine golf course, and the rope park in Pontresina to keep children entertained. By the way, if you need some ideas on how to make the Alpine holidays fun for your kids, just click here.
On the Water
If you are into sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and wingsurfing you are probably aware of the local phenomenon called „Maloja wind“ which has turned Silvaplana and St. Moritz lakes into a real mecca for the fans of those sports. Note the dates for watching some amazing performances: 11.06 – 16.06.24 for Engadinwing, 20.08 – 25.08.24 for Engadinwind, and 23.08 – 25.08 for sailing Blu26 Cup on St. Moritz lake.
Another beautiful way of discovering the lakes is the morning SUP session. Just imagine the quietness and the mirror-like lake surface, the morning fog slowly disappearing and the first rays of the rising sun highlighting the mountain peaks. A dream!
Not of course to forget one more water-related activity: swimming. The small local lakes, Marsch and Staz, both located within walking distance from St. Moritz, are warming up to comfortable +20C in the summer months and offer a healthy morning routine for locals and travelers alike. Combined with a morning yoga session, this is an amazing way to start your day!
In the Air
If you have been dreaming about a tandem paragliding flight, either from Muottas Muragl or from Corvatsch – this summer it should be definitely on your bucket list.
And if this sounds too risky, but you still wish to discover the alpine landscape from the air, booking a panoramic helicopter flight might be a good solution. And don’t forget about Engadin’s unique feature: Samedan airport accepts all kinds of private aviation, so you could fly out to any European city for a business meeting and be back to your St. Moritz chalet right in time for a family dinner without any long tiresome car transfers.
For the Soul, Eyes and Ears pleasure
St.Moritz and the Engadine Valley have been a top destination for art aficionados for many years. Check St. Moritz website for getting updates on current exhibitions and art events. Our personal must for this summer is the Muzeum Susch which is lovely to combine with the visit to Not Vital’s Schloss Tarasp.
St. Moritz has its own cinema Scala, the building of which also houses Cresta & Bob Museum.
Open Doors Engadin (29. – 30.06.24), Festival da Jazz(04.07 – 28.07.24), Engadin Festival of classic music (27.07 – 09.08.24), St. Moritz Art Film Festival (12. – 15.09.24), Summer Polo (26.07 – 28.07.24) und Concours Hippique (01.08 – 04.08.24) are all worth to be included into your summer program in St. Moritz. And if you are an exceptional cars enthusiast, the following events are not to be missed: British Classic Car Meeting (04.07 – 07.07.24), Passione Engadina (23.08 – 25.08.24) und St. Moritz Automobile Week (25. – 29.09.24).
Alternatively, for your soul, eyes, and ears pleasure, just hike up the mountain or take a chair lift to the top, sit on a bench, and soak in the most breathtaking views!
For the Palate
St. Moritz and the Engadine Valley offer culinary highlights for any taste and occasion. Our „must enjoy“ list for every summer season includes:
– A BBQ party or a picnic in the forest or on the lake shore (PPM catering team or private chef can organize one for you, by the way);
– Summer markets with tasty food stands in St. Moritz and Pontresina;
– Having lunch with the view in one of the mountain huts, one of our favorites in summer being Paradiso;
– A crotto dinner in the neighboring Italian city of Chiavenna that is just 45 min drive from St. Moritz or even an evening aperitif on the shores of Como Lake that is in a 1h30min drive;
– The Seafood or Jazz BBQ in the gardens of Suvretta House (04 & 11.08.24);
– Traditional dinner for the Swiss National Day on the 1st of August;
– La Terra 27 for an easy and tasty dinner with friends on the cozy terrace;
– Ice cream at the Palace Gelateria;
– Buying the tastiest goat cheese in Isola;
– Having a Pizza Monday in Chesa Veglia, a Gnocchi Tuesday in Talvo, a Club Sandwich Wednesday in one of the Grand Hotels, a gourmet Thursday in Krone La Punt; a Fish Friday in Murtaröl, a Wine & Pasta Party Saturday in Pavarotti, a Cheesy Sunday in Alp Schaukäserei. And all of that without any remorse because, as you have seen, the choice of sports activities in St. Moritz and the Engadine Valley during the summer season is almost endless!
Please rest assured that your personal PPM concierge will be delighted to create for you a personalized program including any of the above-mentioned attractions, events, and activities and adapt it to your preferences. Just give us a call to book your holidays in one of our luxury chalets or apartments in St. Moritz or become our PPM club member by entrusting us the care of your home in the Engadin.
Photo credit: Gian Giovanoli, Fabian Gatten, Filip Zuan, Christof Sonderegger, Robert Bösch, Adam Brzoza, Markus Greber, Davide De Martis for Engadin St. Moritz AG
