Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R67
Scuol » S-charl
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4h20 |
12.7 km
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671 m
|
142 m
Cross the River Inn and leave Suol in a southward direction, climbing up through the Clemgia ravine to Plan da Funtanas. From here, the valley road leads directly to S-charl, the stage destination. The Swiss National Park is situated on the right side of the valley. This stage can also be covered comfortably with the post bus.
Scuol is the largest and most important settlement of the Lower Engadin. The turmoil of war and foreign troops have caused the Lower Engadin to be plagued, plundered and pillaged several times in the past. In the Swabian War of 1499, the village was completely destroyed by fire. The central theme of Scuol is its spa culture. As early as 1573, mention is made to the fact that tubs for mineral water baths had been established in the houses. Over 20 mineral water springs find their source in the area surrounding Scuol. All hikers are advised to pay a visit to the “Bogn Engiadina” bath, newly opened in 1993. The real upturn came with the construction of the Lower Engadin road in 1860 and in 1866 the construction over the Flüela pass. The Rhaetian railway, whose terminus is today in Scuol, was for a long time an important and reliable winter connection between the Lower and Upper Engadin. Over the last ten years, the construction of the Vereina tunnel has finally brought with it the hoped-for boom. Head through the impressive Clemgia-Schlucht ravine to reach the S-charl valley. The S-charl valley has been marked by the extraction of mineral resources between 1317 and 1828. This extraction was orchestrated by the people of Tyrol. Inevitably, it repeatedly led to disputes. For example, in the 17th century, the people of Scuol threw 200 mountain dwellers into the Clemgia, where they drowned. (Bündner Wanderwege BAW)
Natural and cultural heritage
S-charl S-Charl is an old mining settlement that lies on the road from Scuol into the Münstertal valley. From 1370 to 1828, silver-bearing galena, sphalerite and brown iron ore was extracted in S-Charl. In 1499 and 1621, the village burned down. In the 17th century, the lead and silver mining came to a standstill. In the middle of the 19th century, the mining industry was abandoned permanently. Today, the ruins of the former settlement and the smelting furnaces still bear witness to this lively past. Not far from here, it is possible to visit the Schmelzra museum and admire the mining tunnels. The museum shows how for over 300 years, miners mined the ore by hand in the “Mot Madlain” mine in order for it to be smelted and thus to extract the much sought-after silver and lead. The last bear in Switzerland was shot in the immediate vicinity on 1 September 1904. The Schmelzra museum also dedicates one of its exhibitions to this theme. Swiss National Park The creation of the Swiss National Park in 1914 was a milestone in the history of nature protection. It was the first national park in the Alps and Central Europe. In this totally protected alpine habitat, nature can develop according to its own natural dynamics, free from human interference. The natural changes here represent the main aspect to be explored. Nevertheless, the national park is not an actual primeval forest – the trees typical of such forests died out here, as the forests were exploited before the 172.4km2 area was placed under protection. 50 per cent of the area is unproductive waste land, 20 per cent is alpine grassland and 30 per cent is woodland. The mountain forests of the national park are predominantly composed of mountain pine, larch, cembran pine and spruce, and the timber line lies in the Engadin with around 2,300m at a relatively high altitude and is formed by cembran and dwarf pine. Visitors may only use the paths and marked resting places on foot. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Useful topographic maps
T 249 Trasap ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Unterengadin ~ Hallwag Kümmerly und Frey AG / ISBN 3-259-00814-4 (1: 60'000)
259 T Ofenpass ~ swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Useful guidebooks
20 Bergwanderungen Region Engadin und Südbünden ~ Werd Verlag TA Media AG (ISBN 3-85932-374-1)
Unterengadin ~ Terra Grischuna-Verlag (ISBN 3-729-81134-8)
Unterengadin ~ Bergverlag Rudolf Rother (ISBN 3-7633-4043-2)
Websites relative to natural and cultural heritage
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Thorsten - 2024-08-26
The footpath through Clemgia is once again closed this year. We took the detour west of the gorge, via Vulpera and Avrona, and then down and over the bridge to the eastern side.
Very nice walk, Vulpera and Avrona are worth visiting, but it takes longer and needs additional ascent and descent.
Kat - 2023-07-09
To clarify Piet's helpful comment : you can still of course walk from Scuol to Gurlaina to Vulpera then up into the gorge. It's well signposted. From Gurlaina to the turnoff at Vulpera is about 10 minutes though, not 30 as marked on the signposts.
Piet Clerinx - 2022-08-18
As from july 2022 the footpath along the Clemgia gorge is reopened. The starting point of the path however is not anymore Gurlaina, but in Vulpera. The path is repaired and new bridges we're constructed. The views remain spectacular and are worth the detour. At the end of the gorge you can take the postal bus to S-Charl at Plan de Funtanas.
Very few accommodation in S-scharl. Book well in advance. As an alternative, book 2 days in Scuol YH, Walk the second day without luggage to S-Charl, after arrival take the frequent postbus back, and the next morning take the bus up again and from there start your next hike.
Part of the track is blocked because of an avalanche, I walked along the main road.
Elisabeth - 2014-03-16
Pas de "Descriptif détaillé" pour cette étape ! Ce sont des infos générales. Pourriez-vous en écrire un ? Cela vaudrait le coup de signaler qu'entre Scuol et S-charl, l'itinéraire passe par la jolie et fraîche gorge de la Clemgia. Il serait dommage de prendre le car postal !
Automatic translation
[Google]
No "Detailed Description" for this step! These are general info. Could you write one? It worthwhile to point out that between Scuol and S-charl, the route passes through the beautiful and cool gorge Clemgia. It would be a shame to take the Post!
Alpinisten - 2013-08-31
Hier gibt es nur 2 Hotels zur Wahl: das teure Crusch Alba (Evtl. nach Lager fragen), Tel.:+41.81.864.1405, oder Hotel Mayor, Tel.:+41.81.864.1412
Automatic translation
[Google]
There are only two hotels to choose from: the expensive Crusch Alba (You may ask to camp), Tel: 41.81.864.1405, hotel or Mayor, Tel: 41.81.864.1412
|
4h20 |
12.7 km
|
671 m
|
142 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.