A
walking holiday in Heidiland (pronounced landt)
and perhaps better translated in English as Heidi 'country'
(think of Switzerland), is the breathtaking backdrop
of the touching story of Heidi who was born and lived in the Grison
mountains
The location is the magnificent Rhine Valley in
the Eastern Canton of Graubunden, but
because of theworld wide popularity
of Johanna Spyri's much-beloved novel the Swiss Tourist
Board has after much thought re-named the
location Heidiland
It remains the most beautiful and classical Alpine sceneries
one could think of
This is the only part of Switzerland where three languages are
spoken in the same region.
In the Southern valleys, Italian is spoken, whereas in most other
valleys of the region, an old, latin language called “Romantsch”
is still alive. Where emigrants from the West, who came here in
the late Middle Ages, have settled German is the common language.
All these different influences have made this easternmost region
of Switzerland a culturally diverse and rich area.
The walking holiday links all three languages and touches a number
of important valley systems which all offer a different character
and atmosphere. Scenic
waymarkedtrails takes you through deep valleys,
past flower decorated farmhouses, alpine meadows permeated
byspring and summer flowers. mountain panoramas, rich flora, larch
forests, andSwitzerland
’s highest waterfall are among the highlights of this walking
holiday
Between
the valleys, you cross high and remote passes offering fantastic
views and we are sureagree after your walking
holiday , that this tour is truly one
of the most rewarding walking experiences in
the Alps
Walking in Heidiland
Grade:
Moderate Waymarking
: The trails are well waymarked Season: Mid May-October Accommodation: Gasthäuser and small hotels
8 days/
7 nights Holidayref: SHl 1 Price:
£750
Itinerary
Length of walk:68
miles Start:Davos Finish:
St Moritz Waymarking : The trails are well waymarked)
. Day 1: Davos. Travel to Davos and spend the first night in this famous little town. Day 2:
(Davos) - Dürrboden - Sertig.
By taxi or bus, you transfer from lively Davos into the quiet
and remote
Dischma Valley . to the start
of your walk. You cross the Scalettapass, which leads into the
secluded Val Funtauna andascend to the saddle
of the Sertigpass, the gateway to the very picturesque Sertig
valley. Spend the night in the comfort of a very cosy guesthouse 13mls/21km ; ascent 800m/descent 1080m.
Day 3:
Sertig - Bergün.
You ascendto a dramaticwaterfall,
and on to the impressive rocky plateau which leads you into the
different world of the Ducan valley, a typical hanging valley,
high above Sertig. Over the “Ducanfurgga” you change
into the Val da Stugl and descent to the tiny village of Latsch which sits prominently on an outcrop above
Bergün, your destination for tonight.12mls/19km
; ascent 1020/descent 1460m.
Day 4:
Bergün - Tinizong.
There are not many other walks in Switzerland
which surpass the grandeur of the crossing from Bergün into
its neighbouring valley, the Oberhalbstein. One of the many highlightsof the walk is the sight of the enormous limestone faces
of the “Bergünerstöcke” which will remind
you of images of the Dolomites. Passing the tiny Ela Hut, you ascend
to the col of the Pass d’Ela, from where you start a descent
down the Val d’Err to Tinizong. A comfortable hotel awaits
you here, a welcome luxury after a challenging, but unforgettable
day.11.25mls/18km ; ascent 1450/descent 1630m Day 5:
Tinizong -Sur.
Today's
stretch is easier and allows you to relax and fully enjoy the views.
Over alpine meadows, you stroll from Tinizong to Alp Flix, from
where a short descent takes you down to Sur, a tiny village on the
Julier pass road, a route already known to the Romans.10mls/16km
; ascent 930m/descent 400m Day 6:
Sur - Bivio.
From Sur, a short walk leads to neighbouring Mulegns (the mill),
a little hamlet at the head of a narrow gorge. From here, you walk
on a comfortable track through the valley floor thencontinues along a wild river through a fantastic valley over
which mighty Piz Platta rules. You reach the saddle Fuorcla da Faller,
and descend into the Avers valley, and pass the highest, year-round
inhabited village of Europe , Juf. You
cross over to the next pass, the Stallerberg and an easy walk leads
you to Bivio. Bivio means “junction” ,the place where
the routes over the Julier and Septimer pass separate. Originally,
an Italian speaking village, most people nowadays are German speaking.
13.75mls/22km ; ascent 1400m/descent 1200m Day 7:
Bivio -St. Moritz
. Tracing
the steps of Roman soldiers and traders, you walk from Bivio on
a broad track to the Septimerpass. This route was restored several
years ago and on some stretches, the underground is made of stones
laid here to enable carriages to be pulled over the Septimerpass
by horses. From the saddle, you have the choice of descending into
the Val Bregaglia, a fantastic Southern valley, where Italian is
spoken. From Casaccia, the first or last village in this valley,
you take the bus to St.-Moritz. Alternatively, you cross from the
Septimerpass via the Pass Lunghin (optional climb of Piz Lunghin,
2780 m) to Maloja, for a short bus ride to St. Moritz , where you spend the final night
of the tour. 8mls/13km ; ascent 540m/descent 850m
Day 8: Return. Return from St. Moritz to
Zurich
Airport for your flight home. Prices & Services
Walking in Heidi Country Holiday
ref: SHL1Price :
£750(land
price only)
Based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room.
Single supplement -please contact us
Cost includes :7 nights, bed & breakfast in local Hotels & Inns with ensuite (or private) facilities depending on availability; Walk Pack with maps & route notes Swiss scale 1/60000, accommodation directions, travel information to your destination ; Luggage transfer between hotels – please see check list for weight limitation on overnight luggage
Not included : Travel to and from Switzerland ; dinner & lunches – provisions may be purchased in the villages on a daily basis; potential visits
Personal accident insurance / holiday cancellation insurance. We consider these to be essential as your deposit is not returnable, nor the balance once it has been paid 6 weeks before the start of the walk
Travel
Nearest airport: Zurich or Berne
By Train: London-Paris- Lausernne - Davos (Return from St Moritz) By car: Dover-Calais. Davos You can safely leave your vehicle in the hotel car park and come back to it at the end of the walk
Full travel information will be included with your booking
Extra nights can be booked at any hotel
For further information contact
~ Celtic
Trails Walking Holidays Information lines open
8.30am to 6.00pm
To Book telephone: Overseas - 0044 1291 689774 Telephone:
UK - 0800 9707585
E-mail: info@celtrail.com or complete the enquiry form.
Celtic Trails Walking Holidays, P.O.Box 11, Chepstow, NP16
6DZ, Wales, UK
