Self-Guided Hiking Tours

Switzerland | Winter Engadine Holiday

Snowshoe and ski from village to village in eastern Switzerland.

Switzerland flag
  • couple snowshoeing in the mountains
  • self-guided engadine holiday
  • Hiking trail in Engadine
  • Winter Engadine Holiday
  • Hiking on a snowy trail
  • Winter Engadine Holiday
  • Winter Engadine Holiday
  • Winter Engadine Holiday
  • Self Guided Engadine Hiking
  • Woman hiking on a trail with mountains in the background
  • Two hikers on a snowy road with a mountain view
  • Self Guided Winter Engadine Trek
  • Mountains covered in snow
  • "The Weavers got back Tuesday night and just want to thank you for planning such a memorable trip for us. The Engadine cross country ski trek rated in the top five of my lifetime trips and we are seasoned travelers/hikers! The accommodations and food were superior and the views from many of our rooms were spectacular. If this is how you treat your customers on the hiking treks you will surely hear from us. I am already thinking of combining a Croatia bike/boat with a northern Italy hike. You will certainly hear from us as we rate you #1 and we agree with national Geographic!"- Darlene and Phillip Weaver
  • "Thanks, Melanie, to you and your RW colleagues my recently-completed Winter Engadine Trek was terrific. I wrapped it up with a 1/2 Engadine Ski Marathon from Maloja to Pontresina."- Dave Kenny

Trip Highlights:

  • Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing from inn to inn on expertly maintained winter trails.
  • Sledding from village to village. Who knew? Historically, sledding offered viable transport between snowy alpine villages. It's not just for kids anymore.
  • A chance to visit the home of Ursli, a famous story-book character that ran away from home and captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world.
  • Practice three different languages: German, Italian, and Romansh, as you explore this folded landscape of deep, isolated valleys, sheer rocky summits, multifaceted glaciers, and thick pine forests.
  • Thermal hotels and spas, well-appointed and modern, yet dating back as far as the Roman Era.

Winter. This is the magical time when Switzerland wears her finest clothes. Snowflakes quietly descend upon tranquil storybook villages, the mountain air carries an aroma of hot spiced wine, and jingle bells ring as horse-drawn sleighs carry excited travelers to their cozy mountain homes. This is the season for roasted chestnuts, fireside dinners, and bubbling fondue. Each alpine region celebrates winter in its own special way, and many of these regions offer extensive trail networks specifically designed with winter alpine hikers in mind.

Our tour explores the upper and lower Engadine valleys of eastern Switzerland, a region offering a vast network of perfectly prepared winter trails for hiking, snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing. You may use all of these modes of transportation, depending on what you choose for the day, as you make your way through an exotic trilingual region offering some of the finest and most rewarding scenery in the Alps.

Take a look at the video two happy clients made of their recent trip below.

Video credit: Tyrie Lee Jenkins & George Norcross

Trip Itinerary

Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days.

Travel independently to Scuol, in the Lower (northern) Engadine. Check into your lovely 4-star hotel, which is perfectly situated across from many of the highest peaks of the region.

Enjoy an introductory walk near the fabled Tarasp Castle. In the afternoon, delight in a sledding adventure in the Tarasp/Vulpera area.

Walk or snowshoe to Guarda. Alternately, enjoy a part of the day sledding in the Ftan/Prui region and transfer to Guarda. Guarda is on Switzerland’s National Historic Register. It is a unique and truly quaint village. There are only two hotels in this tiny hamlet and both are excellent, colorful, and antique.

Today you have your choice of mode of transportation – walk, snowshoe, or cross-country ski – with a little bit of cog rail thrown in, and you find yourself in Zuoz, one of the Engadine’s most traditional villages. Zuoz has a cozy town square with fun shops, cafés, and pubs. Overnight in a very nicely appointed 4-star hotel.

A short train ride takes you to Preda, where you have numerous options. The world famous sled run to Berguns is an obvious choice. A horse-drawn sleigh ride to Alp Preda for lunch is a gentler way to pass the day. Numerous other hiking, skiing, and sledding options are available. Finish in the vibrant resort village of Pontresina in an atmospheric 3-star hotel.

There are many options available today. Ascend to the Diavolezza (3000 meters) by cable car for some of the most visually spectacular walking in the region, or enjoy a day on the slopes alpine skiing. Amble up the pristine Val Roseg (horse-drawn sleigh option as well), or walk the Engadine Lakes on the way to Sils Maria and your superior 4-star hotel.

Take a bus to quaint Maloja above the famous Maloja Pass. Hike or snowshoe up into the remote Val Forno. Return to Maloja and wander the lakeshore of the Silsersee. A stop in tiny Isola for a hot tea and apple tart is a fabulous option. Alternately, explore the mystical Val Fex above town.

Winter Engadine Holiday | Switzerland

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