Holiday in Swiss National Park

About Swiss National Park

The Swiss National Park in the Lower Engadine is the oldest national park in the Alps (founded in 1914) and one of the most strictly protected wilderness areas in Europe. Over 170 square kilometers, nature has developed completely undisturbed for over a century — no tree is felled, no path is relocated, no blade of grass is mown. The result is a living laboratory of evolution, where visitors can experience what the Alps would look like without human intervention. The strictly regulated hiking trails lead through dense larch and mountain pine forests, over barren alpine meadows, and alongside roaring mountain streams. With a bit of patience and binoculars, you can observe ibex, chamois, marmots, golden eagles, and bearded vultures — the latter were successfully reintroduced in the 1990s and now soar with wingspans of up to three meters over the peaks. In autumn, the impressive roaring of red deer echoes through the valleys — the rutting season is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Swiss Alps. The nature trail at Ofen Pass and the route to Il Fuorn offer family-friendly hikes. More challenging tours lead to Chamanna Cluozza, the only overnight accommodation in the park, or to Munt la Schera (2,586m) with its panoramic view over the national park and the Livigno reservoir. The National Park Centre in Zernez provides information with a modern exhibition about the ecology of the park and the fascinating history of its founding. Important: In the national park, strict path regulations apply — paths must not be left, dogs are not allowed, and plants must not be picked. This strictness is the reason why the park has remained such an intact piece of wilderness. A visit is a journey into the untamed primal landscape of the Alps.