.
The Engadine Valley is traditionally Romansh-speaking, although almost everyone also speaks German. The valley is divided into two sections, the Lower Engadine (Unterengadin) and the Upper Engadine (Oberengadin). The main resorts in the Upper Engadine are St. Moritz and Celerina. St. Moritz is where the jet set come to play and pose. Celerina (just 2 km – a half-hour walk – east of St. Moritz) is a little further away from the hustle but still close to the action. There are tons of activities on offer here in St. Moritz and Celerina. Many cable cars give access to mountain peaks with an altitude of more than 10,000 ft, and to numerous vantage points, opening onto breath-taking panoramic views. Other than an almost unlimited amount of possibilities for individual hikes, St. Moritz and Celerina offer guided glacier and mountain tours as well as excursions centering on various topics (geology, botany...) during the summer season. One of the best round-trip summer walks starts from Muottas Muragl (8,177 ft). For maps and further hiking suggestions ask at your hostel or at the tourist office.
The nearby Silvaplana (40 train-minutes from St. Moritz) is known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing. The favourable Maloja wind has turned the Lake of Silvaplana into a Mecca for this sport (plenty of information at www.kitesailing.ch and at www.engadinwind.ch).
How to get to St.Moritz and Celerina: From Chur with the Rhaetien Railway up to St.Moritz (appr. 2hrs). There are stops in Celerina and St.Moritz.
Tourist offices: at Via Maistra 12 in St.Moritz (081 837 33 33); in Celerina (081 830 00 11).
www.engadin.ch
www.stmoritz.ch
www.celerina.ch
Budget accommodation:
St. Moritz Bad Youth Hostel, Via Surpunt 60, St.Moritz (081 833 39 69)
Hotel Zur Alten Brauerei, Via Maistra 60, Celerina (081 832 18 74)
|
