Lavin – Ardez – Scuol
Hiking trail
· Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair
easy
Distance 20 km
From the train station in Lavin, you go as far as the church, then head north-east on the old valley road towards Guarda. After a short climb, you reach a striking assemblage of old pieces of stonework. These are the ruins of the old hamlet of Gonda. The path continues to rise evenly, then turns into the lower part of Val Tuoi and crosses the mountain creek at Guarda sawmill. Shortly after the ravine, the route joins up with the road leading up from Giarsun which you then follow to Guarda. We recommend taking some time here.
At the uppermost house, you then continue to the hamlet of Bos-cha. It is in an incredibly beautiful location with a panoramic view over Ardez. The reddish Flower of Jupiter (lychnis flos-jovis) blooms along the edge of the path. After the little creek below Bos-cha, at Pt. 1570 to the left of the road bare, stony round domes can be seen protruding from the grass; these are bowl stones.
The trail then stays at the same altitude and turns at a charming group of larches above the village of Ardez, set barely 100 metres below. The trail leads on through meadows and fields to Chanoua. All that remains here are the ruins of old stables and Susten from the time of the Säumer. The building burned down in 1742. It was then poorly rebuilt and remained periodically inhabited until 1910.
Shortly after Chanoua, the path to Val Tasna turns onto the Ardez–Ftan road, which leads you to the Tasna bridge. On the other side of the bridge, you can avoid the road by walking up the valley along the alpine route on the left side of the creek for about 200 metres, and then taking a forest path that branches to the right towards Ftan.
The village of Ftan is situated on a terrace offering wonderful views. From Ftan Grond along the village road, you continue to Ftan Pitschen, which is a better-preserved example of the character of an Engadine farming village. Unlike Ftan Grond, it was never destroyed repeatedly by blazes or avalanches. At the eastern, lower exit from the village, turn right towards Munt Clü and enjoy the extensive view of the landscape of Tarasp–Vulpera, Tarasp Castle, which dominates the entire region and the village of Scuol, which you can reach via the train station or Liuns.
Inns en route: In all villages: various restaurants.
At the uppermost house, you then continue to the hamlet of Bos-cha. It is in an incredibly beautiful location with a panoramic view over Ardez. The reddish Flower of Jupiter (lychnis flos-jovis) blooms along the edge of the path. After the little creek below Bos-cha, at Pt. 1570 to the left of the road bare, stony round domes can be seen protruding from the grass; these are bowl stones.
The trail then stays at the same altitude and turns at a charming group of larches above the village of Ardez, set barely 100 metres below. The trail leads on through meadows and fields to Chanoua. All that remains here are the ruins of old stables and Susten from the time of the Säumer. The building burned down in 1742. It was then poorly rebuilt and remained periodically inhabited until 1910.
Shortly after Chanoua, the path to Val Tasna turns onto the Ardez–Ftan road, which leads you to the Tasna bridge. On the other side of the bridge, you can avoid the road by walking up the valley along the alpine route on the left side of the creek for about 200 metres, and then taking a forest path that branches to the right towards Ftan.
The village of Ftan is situated on a terrace offering wonderful views. From Ftan Grond along the village road, you continue to Ftan Pitschen, which is a better-preserved example of the character of an Engadine farming village. Unlike Ftan Grond, it was never destroyed repeatedly by blazes or avalanches. At the eastern, lower exit from the village, turn right towards Munt Clü and enjoy the extensive view of the landscape of Tarasp–Vulpera, Tarasp Castle, which dominates the entire region and the village of Scuol, which you can reach via the train station or Liuns.
Inns en route: In all villages: various restaurants.

Author
Alexander Starcevic
Update: June 08, 2023
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Highest point
1,671 m
Lowest point
1,247 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileTips and hints
Bowl stones: Bowl stones are remnants of the stone cult from pagan times with many rounded, interconnect hollows in the smooth rock. Locals call them “Plattas da las Strias”, or witchstones. Where the heathens once sacrificed to their gods in primitive times, the Christians later built a chapel. Today the area is called San Martaila (sanctum martyrium). The name is a reference to martyrs. Only foundation stumps remain of the chapel, now long gone.Start
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'804'091E 1'183'299N
DD
46.769584, 10.111080
DMS
46°46'10.5"N 10°06'39.9"E
UTM
32T 584832 5180158
w3w
///milk.clattered.beeline
Turn-by-turn directions
Lavin – Guarda – Ardez – Ftan – Scuol
Note
Wildlife refuge Laret: December 21 - April 20
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Getting there: By PostBus or train (RhB) to Lavin.Getting back: By PostBus or train from Scuol Staziun.
Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'804'091E 1'183'299N
DD
46.769584, 10.111080
DMS
46°46'10.5"N 10°06'39.9"E
UTM
32T 584832 5180158
w3w
///milk.clattered.beeline
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Difficulty
easy
Distance
20 km
Duration
4:45 h
Ascent
714 m
Descent
897 m
Highest point
1,671 m
Lowest point
1,247 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
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