The golden autumn is particularly beautiful in Switzerland! And the Engadine, with its larch forests, is probably the most beautiful valley for an autumn excursion in Switzerland. I’m a regular visitor to the Engadine, and I’m particularly fond of the annual spectacle of nature when the trees turn into their most beautiful colours. This autumn we had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Saratz in Pontresina and experience not only the most beautiful autumn hikes but also the unique hotel concept “Pure Nature”. Below you will find the best tips for 3 great autumn days in the Engadine: from hotel, food and hiking.
The Hotel Saratz – The nature hotel in the heart of Pontresina
You might be wondering which hotel in the Engadine is particularly suitable for your holiday or weekend getaway? I can highly recommend the Hotel Saratz, as it is ideal for families, gourmets and nature as well as sports lovers! The Hotel Saratz has been awarded several times and is one of the best in the region! The 4-star superior hotel is surrounded by a 35,000 square metre hotel park and is nevertheless nestled in the centre of Pontresina in the beautiful Engadine.
The family-friendly nature hotel offers an unforgettable holiday experience: at the Saratz, the modern attitude to life combines with local Engadine tradition and down-to-earth nature with luxurious design. The Hotel Saratz lives by the motto “Nature, you are great!” and guests can experience the wonder of nature in the hotel’s own nature park and in the region itself. Especially in the Engadine, nature shows itself from its most beautiful side.
Nature experience in the hotel park
The hotel park of the Hotel Saratz covers 35,000 square metres and is the largest of its kind in the Engadine. Nature can thus be experienced in a unique, mindful way. The Punt Ota gorge, a historic bridge, an old pavilion and the origin of the Flaz are all located in the Saratz hotel park. The wide range of summer activities for young and old has something for everyone: mini-golf, tennis, chess, trampoline, barefoot path and much more. In winter, on the other hand, the cross-country ski trail runs directly through the hotel park and the winter hiking trail also starts from here.
You should definitely try out the special nature experience in the Saratz Hotel Park during your visit. According to the motto “Lots of pure nature”, you can experience the pleasure of nature in a specially compiled programme with 8 mindful and grounding exercises. You can do this activity individually and at your own pace. The aim is to immerse yourself in the nature of the hotel park with all your senses and to perceive it in a mindful way. The exercises are accessible to everyone and children can also experience them in a playful way.
Yoga & Wellness
The Hotel Saratz is also a great destination for yoga and wellness. They have a newly renovated yoga room with the warm sunlight shining in and feeling the sunbeams on your skin. Also the pool area and wellness is a great way to slow down. With the view on the beautiful park and its nature you will feel more relaxed and calm.
Art & Culture
The Hotel Saratz gives great importance to the local nature experience. Art lovers also get their money’s worth at the Saratz and in the hotel park. No matter whether well-known artists or newcomers. Seasonal exhibitions by local artists alternate in the hotel, with a special focus on art with natural materials.
Sustainability
The Hotel Saratz is also committed to sustainability and treats resources with respect. Particularly exemplary is their use of energy through the heat pump, which covers a large part of the energy needs. Local and sustainable production is also central, which means that every guest can enjoy delicious Engadine bread, honey and many other products. Social sustainability such as equal opportunities and staff training are also practised at the Hotel Saratz. Switzerland Tourism launched the label “Swisstainable“, which is leading the way and the Hotel Saratz is also a member.
Giodi Vegetarian and Co.
The restaurant Giodi is part of the Hotel Saratz and follows an equally sustainable concept. It calls itself the first truly almost entirely vegetarian restaurant. The Giodi cooks with local ingredients from the region and here it’s all about the vegetables. If someone is missing the meat or fish, this can be ordered as a “side vegetable”. I enjoyed the vegetarian (with many vegan options) immensely. In fact, the most amazing thing I found was that the menu was designed around the “carrot”. From the delicious Carrot Spritz to the Carrot Sorbet – a treat for the palate!
Hotel S Saratz
Would you like to escape the grey and dreary everyday life in the off-season? The Hotel Saratz is also open in November (Hotel S) and offers attractive packages: Read more here
Autumn Hikes Engadine
The Engadine is a unique year-round destination with an incredibly beautiful and magical Alpine backdrop. In the midst of the Alps, the high valley offers a place to relax with countless opportunities to escape from everyday stress and get back in tune with nature. Especially in autumn, the Engadine is a real magnet. At the golden time of year, the Engadine attracts many people to visit. The larch forests turn a beautiful gold and the hiking areas in the valleys, high above the valley floor, through historic villages and along picturesque lakes brings me to Engadin for many visits every year.
Morteratsch Glacier Trail
The Morteratsch Glacier Trail is the third longest in the Eastern Alps. The hiking trail starts directly at the Morteratsch railway station and you can learn more about the retreat of the glacier at 16 stations along the trail. After about 50 minutes you reach the glacier tongue and the milky glacier lake. You will also find a QR code at each stop, which will immerse you in the glacier world with fascinating audio stories. Along the way, benches invite you to pause and marvel. I highly recommend planning a picnic and taking in the dimensions of the glacier and the Piz Bernina and Piz Morteratsch towering behind it.
Val Roseg Hike
The landscape in the parallel valley Val Roseg is also a little tip to admire the unique larch landscape. The hike to Val Roseg starts directly from the railway station or village centre of Pontresina. The inviting valley is a popular destination for young and old. You can follow the main trail or take the quiet forest path along the crystal-clear streams on the left bank of the river. It is an easy hike and the time flies by as you marvel at the beautiful nature and the many birds and squirrels. You can always turn back or take the wide path back over the bridges. But if you like, it’s worth taking a break at the unique dessert buffet in the Restaurant Hotel Roseg Gletscher.
Lej da Staz Hike
The Lej da Staz is already very well known and the unmistakable footbridge and the morning reflections live up to its magical reputation. The Lej da Staz in the Engadine lies at 1809m above sea level and is embedded in the Stazerwald forest between St. Moritz, Celerina and Pontresina. You can reach the lake from all 3 villages on a well signposted path. From St. Moritz train station it takes about 20 minutes, from Pontresina about 60 minutes and from Celerina about 30 minutes to Lej da Staz.
Tip: “The early bird catches the worm”, because from around 11 a.m. the so-called “Maloja” wind comes up and the reflections in the Lej da Staz or Lake Staz are then gone 😊
Muottas Muragl Panorama Trail
Another hiking excursion like no other from Pontresina is the Muottas Muragl Panorama Trail. If you book more than 2 days in a hotel, you also get the guest tickets for the mountain railways. So a trip to Muottas Muragl has to be part of every stay in the Engadine. The view over the Upper Engadine lake landscape is unique. You can take the funicular to the panorama restaurant and either stay there and enjoy the view or follow the easy panorama trail. This leads past Alp Muottas, through pine forests and on to Alp Languard. From there you can take the chairlift back to Pontresina and end the day with a wellness treatment at the Hotel Saratz.
You can find more tips for a visit to the Engadine in these blog posts:
I hope you enjoyed the hiking and excursion tips around Pontresina in the Engadine. I am particularly fond of the Hotel Saratz and especially the village of Pontresina. It is a suitable destination for excursions all year round and for sports enthusiasts, wellness lovers, children and nature lovers… there is so much to discover.
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