The alpine cottages in Grisons: A Swiss mountain odyssey
Capricorns grazing on rugged slopes, playful marmots, idyllic Walser settlements, and some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking mountain vistas await on this cottage tour through the heart of the Grisons Alps. Your adventure begins in Davos, Europe’s highest town, where you’ll embark on a memorable journey.
Key Highlights:
- Peak-to-peak panoramas: Traverse striking peaks and picturesque valleys, each turn revealing awe-inspiring mountain panoramas. From the summit of Jakobshorn to the famous Kesch Hut, every step immerses you in Switzerland’s alpine grandeur.
- Historic treasures: Explore the charming village of Bergün, known for its rich history and captivating architecture. Journey past the Albula Pass, an ancient trade route steeped in centuries of tales and lore.
- Grand finale in St. Moritz: Conclude your mountain odyssey in the world-renowned city of St. Moritz. Revel in the luxurious ambiance, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes that have made it a global icon.
Tour Character:
Moderate hikes, averaging around 5-6 hours per day, introduce you to alpine and rocky terrains. A good level of fitness and surefootedness is essential for this adventure. Discover the beauty of Grisons as you trek through captivating landscapes, creating memories to last a lifetime.
Arrival & Departure
Arrival by public transport to Davos, transfer up to Alp Clavadel (included)
Departure by public transport from St. Moritz. In case of direct departure, luggage will be returned to the luggage counter by 5:00 p.m. at the latest.
Included Services
- 5 or 6 overnight stays incl. breakfast.
- Half-board in the mountain cottages (3x)
- Luggage transfer (except on day 3/4 and 5/6)
- Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival)
- Subsidy for arrival by train
- Transfer Davos Dorf – Alp Clavadel.
- Transfer Bergün – Albula-Pass
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Service hotline
- Flight + public transport
- Travel insurance
- Tourist tax, if due.
- Extra nights
What to bring
Equipment and clothing to bring for Alpine hikes and runs
We’ve compiled a list of essential items you’ll need to take on your adventure in the Great Outdoors. While each trip has its own minimum requirements, we have split the list into “need-to-have” and “nice-to-haves”.
Need to have:
Lightweight, waterproof shell
Sunscreen with a high factor
Smartphone with a relevant trip app and a WhatsApp and code number for your local representative
Survival blanket
Thin hat, cap, and thin gloves (merino or similar)
Daypack for hiking (tours with luggage transport)
Duffel bag or similar (trips with luggage transport) — DO NOT pack in suitcases.
30 L rucksack on trips up to six days (without luggage transport)
40 L rucksack on trips of more than six days (without luggage transport)
Quick-drying inner layer
Shorts (quick drying)
Technical t-shirt (quick drying)
Fleece sweater for cool evenings
A pair of comfortable jogging bottoms or similar for the cabins
Good mountain shoes — trail running shoes or hiking boots
Light towel
Water bottle (1.5 L)
A pair of thick socks or light slippers (you can often borrow a pair in the cabins)
Sunglasses
A few energy bars, fruits or similar snacks for the trip
Sheet liner — can also be purchased on-site (only if you are staying in a dormitory)
Small first aid kit
Comped or similar
Sleeping bag (on selected tours)
Nice to have:
Walking poles
Power bank
Chocolate
Sandals for the cabins
Plastic bags to keep things dry
FAQ
What is your refund and cancellation policy?
If you cancel your tour 60 days or more before the departure date, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your tour between 60 and 45 days before the departure date, you will lose 50 per cent of the total tour price. If you cancel your tour within 45 days of the departure date, you will lose the full amount. If you fail to turn up on the first day of your tour, Outdoor Europe may not be able to make arrangements for you to join the rest of the tour, and you will lose the full payment. If, for any reason, Outdoor Europe has to cancel your tour, you will be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.
How do I book my tour?
You can book your tour directly on the Outdoor Europe website. Choose the tour from the dropdown menu, select the date you would like to start, and the number of participants in your group. You can either pay a deposit (60 days or more from the start of your tour) or pay the full amount. Click ‘book’ and follow the instructions. Once we have confirmed your payment, you’ll receive your confirmed tour itinerary within 10 days. There may be seasonal variations in the time it takes us to arrange everything. Please note that programmes on the tour pages are only examples — there may be several differences in the final programme you receive.
How do I pay for my tour?
When booking your tour, you can choose to pay by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. Direct bank transfers will generally take longer to process, while credit and debit card payments are processed instantly. You are, by default, asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the tour. If you choose this option, you will be asked to pay the remaining 75% one month before your tour. Please be sure to follow the payment links you receive in your invoice or reminder email, which we will send you when the second payment is due.
Do I get my own room?
This depends on the individual tour and when you book it. When hiking in the Alps, most people stay in dorms or shared rooms as the availability of single, double and family rooms are limited. We can only guarantee your own room on certain tours such as in the Lys and Ayas Valleys — but only if you book in time. If this is your preference, we will do our best to ensure you get your own room, but please expect to spend some nights in shared accommodation if there is limited availability.
Is baggage transfer included with all your Alpine tours?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service with all our packages. Often, the huts or hotels we work with are in locations that can only be reached by foot or helicopter. Indeed, when choosing a tour that includes baggage transport, there may be one or two exceptions depending on the route. This will appear clearly on the tour page and in the program you receive when your booking has been confirmed.
How many days do your tours last?
All our tours include the day of arrival and the day of departure. This means that a six-day tour will include five nights of accommodation, a seven-day tour will include six nights, and so on. On the first day, guests are usually expected to arrive in the afternoon. And the program does not include any activities except for a briefing by our representative on the first evening. On the day of departure, guests are free to decide if they want to leave directly after breakfast or go on a shorter tour before their journey home.
What meals are included in your Alpine adventure tours?
Most of our tours will include Half Board (HB) services, which means breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a light-packed lunch. Please check the individual tour page for details, however, as variations occur with certain tours.
What is a self-guided tour?
We specialize in self-guided tours. These tours are designed for travelers who love the independence of hiking, skiing, or running on their own but want to know that everything else is taken care of. In some cases, we are able to offer luggage transport to lighten your load as you enjoy the Great Outdoors.
Do you offer group tours?
Whether you’re already a group of friends, business colleagues or a sports club looking for an active mountain adventure, we can design and organize your Alpine tour for you. We also offer guided group tours for individual participants on fixed dates.
Can you create a tour just for me and my friends?
Yes, absolutely! Outdoor Europe can design the perfect mountain adventure for you and your friends or colleagues. Whether you want to hike, ski, run, cycle or climb, we have the expertise and experience needed to create a bespoke package for any level of experience or physicality. Please contact us if you would like us to create a customized package for your group.
Are your outdoor adventure tours family-friendly?
There are few better ways to spend time with your children than with an active holiday in the mountains. Sharing a mountain adventure with your child is a memory that will last a lifetime. We try to design child-friendly variations (marked ‘family’) of all our Alpine tours. Children can hike, ski or bike a lot longer than you might expect, as long as you make it entertaining for them. However, they will respond instantly to the way you behave, so please consider whether you are able to create a safe environment for your children when faced with the many different challenges of an alpine environment.
Do you offer discounts for children?
Yes, we are able to offer a discount for children on most of our tours, provided they are not yet 13 years of age on the first day of the tour. Please see the individual tour page for our child discounts.
Can I travel on my own?
Many single travellers chose Outdoor Europe due to our high level of service and our expertise in self-guided mountain tours. And the safety of one of our representatives will only ever be just a phone call away. However, please expect additional costs, as our prices are based on two persons — the industry standard for outdoor tours of this nature. Private rooms and other services are often more expensive for individual travellers. You can find information about any additional costs for individual travellers on the tour page.
Will I manage?
We are all different. Some of our clients are 70+ and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others may be twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental ability of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for level of physicality, which you can learn more about here. You are of course welcome to call us and we will do our best to advice you. Find your level of physicality here (link to Find your level page).
What if I get lost?
Our local partners know every square inch of this beautiful Alpine region. During the introductory briefing, you will receive an app, physical maps and a phone number to call if you need advice. In some cases, you’ll be able to forward your location to a local guide with the press of a button. This may prove helpful if you become lost.
Do I need travel insurance?
We recommend that you speak to your insurance provider to ensure your existing policy covers mountain-based activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Please note that any costs relating to emergency situations and the potential need for evacuation are the sole responsibility of the client.
Will I be able to cope with the physical challenge?
We are all different. Some of our clients are more than 70 years old and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others are twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental capabilities of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for the level of physicality involved, which you can learn more about on our Find Your Level page. You are, of course, welcome to call us, and we will do our best to advise you.
Can I bring my dog?
Enjoying the mountains with your best friend can be a joyful experience, which is why we try to make our tours dog friendly wherever possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible due to local rules. Selected tours are marked ‘Dog Friendly’ on the tour page. This means that your dog can stay with you in your private room or, in a few cases, the hut will have a separate or external room for dogs. Please refer to the individual tour page for more information.
*This tour is based on a minimum of two participants. Only the services mentioned above are included in the price.
Via Grischuna
Explore the stunning Grisons Alps on a moderate hiking tour through picturesque valleys and rocky terrain. Starting in Davos, Switzerland’s highest town, this adventure unveils breathtaking mountain panoramas, historic Bergün, and concludes in the iconic St. Moritz. Experience the beauty of Grisons on this unforgettable alpine cottage tour.
Data:
Total distance: 69 – 72 km
H+: 4380 m
H-: 5445 m
Level: Medium to Advanced
Arrival to Davos
Upon arrival in Davos transfer up to the Alp Clavadel at the foot of the Jakobshorn.
Davos - Sertigtal
At the beginning of your first hike you can visit a public dairy. After that you walk steeply uphillto the Jakobshorn, the local mountain of Davos. From here you have the first great view of this hike of the surrounding mountains. The tour continues over the Jatzhorn and Tällifurgga into the Sertigtal. In the evening you can taste local specialties amidst the Grisons mountains.
- 13 km
- 885 m
- 995 m
- 5-6 hours
Sertigtal - Kesch cottage
The Sertigtal is considered one of the most beautiful mountain valleys of Grisons. On idyllic country roads the tour starts comfortably along a small stream before you follow a steep trail up to Sertigpass. You pass several small mountain lakes before you reach the sparse Val Tschüvel. You spend the night in a SAC-cottage at the foot of Piz Kesch at over 2’600 meters.
- 13 km
- 1120 m
- 360 m
- approx. 5 hours
Kesch cottage - Bergün
On the way down into the valley you will pass several alpine cottages. The trail leads on a scenic path across a valley flank. Watch out: more than 5’000 capricorns are living in Grisons – maybe you can spot one of these shy animals. Back in civilization, you can admire the historic townscape of Bergün with beautiful houses in the style of the region Engadine.
- 17 km
- 390 m
- 1630 m
- 5-6 hours
Bergün - Jenatsch cottage
In the morning you will be brought up to the Albula-Pass. From there you hike through the Val Bever towards the Jenatsch cottage. The cottage is picturesquely situated at the foot of the highest peaks of the Grisons mountains. The hut keepers Fridli and Claudia welcome you and upon your wish even heat up the sauna. You will remember the sparkling starry sky above the Jennatsch cottage forever.
- 15-18 km
- 1485 m
- 1285 m
- Approx. 5 hours
Jenatsch cottage - St. Moritz | Departure
Again you will have to master a steep uphill until you reach Fuorcla Suvretta. The peaks Piz Picuogl, Piz Julier and Piz Albana escort you along the way to St. Moritz, one of the most famous mountain resorts worldwide. Spend the night on the Suvretta-hight with panoramic views on the lakes of St. Moritz and Silvaplana.
After arrival in Mendrisio individual departure.
- 11 km
- 500 m
- 1175 m
- 5 hours
Tour Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Leave a Review