The wide valley plain of the main region (Samedan-Celerina-Bever) is an Eldorado for winter hikers. Sometimes flat along the watercourses of our rivers, sometimes slightly uphill along Samedan's sunny slope via Cristolais or Muntarütsch - there is something for everyone in Samedan's extensive winter hiking network. And if you want to go high up, first enjoy the ride on the "red Bähnli" to Muottas Muragl and then set off on the inspiring Philosopher's Path.
This circular hike, which largely follows the course of the Beverin and Inn rivers, starts at the symbolic zero kilometer stone near the Protestant village church. Slightly ascending, the path leads through the historic village center and opens up the view of the Upper Engadin mountains shortly after the schoolhouse. Soon the culmination point is reached at the Muntarütsch shooting range and the trail descends through the larch forests towards Bever. From Bever, the hike follows the Beverin and Inn rivers back to the village center of Samedan.
This hike across sun-drenched southern slopes and along Upper Engadin watercourses also begins at the zero kilometer stone at the Protestant village church. Passing the church of San Peter and the valley station of the children's ski lift Survih, you will reach the nature friend's hut Cristolais. Enjoy the everlasting view of Muottas Muragl and the Bernina massif, while you now direct your steps down to Celerina. Across Celerina, the path leads towards the San Gian church with its striking roofless steeple. Shortly before the church, the path turns left, takes you over the Ochsenbrücke bridge and finally along the Inn meadows back to the center of Samedner village.
You can hike "sensibly" in the truest sense of the word on the Philosophers' Trail, which offers fascinating views over and into the Engadin high valley as well as insights into the world of thought of famous thinkers. Aphorisms and wisdoms by Friedrich Nietzsche, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Albert Einstein and other clever minds are displayed on boards along the way and invite you to ponder. The numerous benches for pauses also act as a gentle invitation to linger and reflect. By the way, to speak of "the" Philosophers' Trail is actually not quite correct, because it comes in three variants, lengths and degrees of difficulty: an easy (blue) stroll, the somewhat longer (red) version for more experienced winter hikers, and a quite demanding (black) two-hour circular walk to Lej Muragl. Fancy a snack or a hot chocolate at the beginning or after this winter magic? Our tip: Enjoy your culinary break on the wonderful sun terrace of the Romantik Hotel and let your thoughts wander once again.
(P.s.: If you want to give your tired legs a rest after a hike, you should stop by the Mineral bath & Spa Samedan).
