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Mountain Hike recommended route

Nationalpark: Grimmels, in the Heart of the National Park

Mountain Hike · Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair
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Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Ein breiter Weg führt von Champlönch durch die Bergföhrenwälder nach Grimmels.
    Ein breiter Weg führt von Champlönch durch die Bergföhrenwälder nach Grimmels.
    Photo: Schweizerischer Nationalpark, Hans Lozza, Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair
Easy circular hike through the typical forests of the Ofenpass area. Enjoy magnificent views from Alp Grimmels of the once intensively used Ofenpass forests and the nearby marmots frolicking. Also suitable for small children.
moderate
Distance 6 km
2:15 h
250 m
250 m
2,104 m
1,822 m
An ideal hike for families. Following in the footsteps of the muleteers, the trail leads away from the present pass road and onto the former mule track from Zernez toward the Ofenpass. As a rule, this route is one of the first to be taken in spring in the Swiss National Park. At this time it captivates with a wealth of flowers on the meadows. Even the hoofed animals are still at low altitudes at this time of year. From Champlönch it leads over Alp Grimmels, a magnificent vantage point and back again on other paths. Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Swiss National Park, not even on a leash. Further information on this and all protection regulations can be found at www.nationalpark.ch/en/visit/hiking/protection-regulations/

Author’s recommendation

From car park 1 to the turnoff leading to Alp Grimmels, the route follows the virtual Champlönch children's trail of the Swiss National Park. By means of a GPS-supported app, families can find out many exciting facts about the National Park on this route. The app is available on the website www.nationalpark.ch. In addition, the National Park Centre in Zernez offers a booklet including an audio CD on the Champlönch Children's Trail.
Profile picture of - Schweizerischer Nationalpark / Hans Lozza / - Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair (dt) /
Author
- Schweizerischer Nationalpark / Hans Lozza / - Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair (dt) /
Update: June 02, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,104 m
Lowest point
1,822 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Path 100.01%
Path
6 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

Easy round tour, also suitable for smaller children. The hike can usually be undertaken as early as May.

Emergency call:

144 Emergency call, first aid

1414 Mountain rescue REGA

112 International emergency call

Tips and hints

Start

Postbus stop Champlönch (P1) (1838 m a.s.l.) (1,834 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'808'693E 1'173'461N
DD
46.679719, 10.166821
DMS
46°40'47.0"N 10°10'00.6"E
UTM
32T 589236 5170234
w3w 
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Destination

Postbus stop Champlönch (P1) (1838 m a.s.l.)

Turn-by-turn directions

The hiking trail begins right at car park 1 on the Ofenpass road and the Champlönch post bus stop (P1) (1838 m a.s.l.). First the trail climbs eastwards, then it follows an off-road groove to the long Champlönch Alp. The former path over the Ofenpass ran here before the current road alignment was chosen in the 19th century. The path leads past a small marshy watercourse fed by springs. One of the rivulets is caught in old well troughs that used to serve as drinking troughs for the herds of domestic animals passing by here. To the east of the Champlönch meadow (2015 m a.s.l.), the trail branches off to the south to Alp Grimmels. The other trail leads to Il Fuorn (see route "Champlönch"). Through a mixed forest, the route reaches the forest-lined meadow of Alp Grimmels (2050 m a.s.l.), which is often used by deer, roe deer and chamois as a grazing ground. The foundation walls of the former alp building in the middle of the meadow provide shelter for adder. The surrounding meadows are populated by numerous marmots. The route climbs a few metres higher after Alp Grimmels and then leads through a shallow hollow between Muottas da Grimmels and Muottas Champlönch before descending to the northwest through fairly steep terrain. In the meadow Bügliets (1981 m a.s.l.), the foundation walls of a former alpine building can again be made out. After Bügliets, in the forest of Las Crastatschas, a fork offers the possibility for a variant: the path to the south leads to car park 3 and the post bus stop Vallun Chafuol (P3). Head north to the former car park 2, and a little above the road back to the starting point.

Note

National park Swiss National Park: December 20 - April 30
all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

  • With the Rhaetian Railway (from Chur, Prättigau, Upper and Lower Engadine) hourly to Zernez.
  • From Zernez with the PostBus in the direction of Müstair-Mals hourly to Champlönch (P1)

By road

  • From the north: via Landquart - Klosters by car transport through the Vereina Tunnel (Selfranga - Sagliains) or via the Flüela Pass into the Lower Engadine on H27.
  • From the east: via Landeck / Austria in the direction of St. Moritz on H27
  • From the south: via Reschenpass (Nauders-Martina) into the Lower Engadine on H27
  • From Zernez on Ofenpassstrasse in the direction of Val Müstair to car park 1

From Val Müstair over the Ofenpass towards Zernez to car park 1

Parking

  • Free parking at the railway station, in the village and at the National Park Visitor Centre in Zernez.
  • Free parking in car park 1 on the Ofenpass road.

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'808'693E 1'173'461N
DD
46.679719, 10.166821
DMS
46°40'47.0"N 10°10'00.6"E
UTM
32T 589236 5170234
w3w 
///plug.bookcases.decks
Show on Map
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Wanderführer durch den Schweizerischen Nationalpark www.nationalpark.ch

Author’s map recommendations

Wanderkarte Nationalpark 1:50'000 (Eigenverlag Schweizerischer Nationalpark) SwissTopo 1:25‘000 - Zernez 1218 : ISBN-Nummer: 978-3-302-01218-6

Book recommendations for this region:

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Equipment

Walking shoes, warm clothes, sun and rain protection.

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Photos from others


Difficulty
moderate
Distance
6 km
Duration
2:15 h
Ascent
250 m
Descent
250 m
Highest point
2,104 m
Lowest point
1,822 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Scenic Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest Flora Fauna

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