Route: Guarda to Lavin and back
Area: Switzerland
Date of walk: 19th January 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.6 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: Sunshine and blue skies
Another sunny day dawned, and we decided to explore the valley to the west of our base in Guarda. Our walks so far had all been to the east of the village. Our circular route would take us as far as Lavin further along the valley before returning via Giarsun
We left our base, the Hotel Meisser (which we can recommend very highly), and walked along the narrow streets to the car park just beyond Guarda. This involved a short road section, much of which we avoided by following a narrow path to the side of the road
Just beyond the car park we forked right to join a path which headed into a wooded ravine and out again. At the head of the ravine was a sign indicating we were in a wildlife area and, no sooner had we passed the sign, we spotted a stag in the snowy woodland above
As we rounded the ravine there were wonderful views ahead and we could clearly see Lavin below, surrounded by some magnificent Alpine peaks. The path took us gently downhill into the village, marking the halfway point of the walk. A helpful map in the village showed us how to locate the path back to Guarda, which involved crossing three bridges in as many minutes – the final one being very unusual, and resembling a wooden barn
The return leg was mostly along the valley floor, with the River Inn on our left. The path forked at one point where the waymarking was ambiguous. We took the lower path, but discovered later on that the higher path would have been just as good and led to the same place
It was several degrees colder as we walked through areas where the sun doesn’t reach in winter. We eventually reached a bridge which crossed back over the River Inn, and made our way uphill to the pretty hamlet of Giarsun. From here we walked over to Guarda railway station to end the walk. The village of Guarda is about 40 minutes away on foot and, in the winter, it would be necessary to follow the road uphill. We avoided that by waiting for the local bus to arrive. It had been another superb winter walk in the Lower Engadine Valley
Click on the icon below for the route map:
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Another sunny day dawns as we leave the Hotel Meisser in Guarda
We walk along the quiet (and very slippery) village street
Beautifully painted houses along the way...
We pass by the village church
At the end of Guarda we reach the road, but are able to avoid most of it by forking off along a parallel path...
Looking back to Guarda
Looking across to Piz d'Arpigla and Piz Mezdi left and Piz dal Ras right
Information boards along the path by the road
We head in and out of a small ravine
As we were reading the sign that this is a protected nature reserve we spotted a red deer stag in the woods above
We follow this path along the valley, descending gently all the while...
Looking back to Guarda, with Piz Pisoc (10,400 feet) on the right
Lavin comes into view in the distance
Looking back along the path
Another view back to Guarda - the mountains start to cast shade as we descend to the valley floor
Looking down into the Inn Valley, which we'll be walking along later
Guarda again
Path to Lavin
Lavin below, most of it in the shade
We descend into the village
A reminder of the danger of avalanches and that straying from the path is both dangerous and prohibited
We arrive at the outskirts of Lavin
We walk through the attractive village, where there are two restaurants, and a bakery with a café
After crossing two small bridges in as many minutes, we reach the third and final one, which is covered by an extraordinary wooden structure
Looking further along the valley, but this is as far as we travel in that direction
We join a path heading back east towards Guarda, with the River Inn on our left
Pristine glistening snow...
A couple of cross country skiers, just about the only people we passed on the walk
Guarda comes into view on the hillside ahead
Piz Lischana and Piz San Jon left and Piz Pisoc right
Animal tracks in the snow as we look back
We reach the end of the path and re-cross the River Inn
We walk through the small hamlet of Giarsun
Doors and windows in Giarsun, reflecting the style of those in Guarda...
Looking back to Giarsun as we climb up to nearby Guarda Station
We wait here for the local bus, which saves a slog up the road back into Guarda village
The Rhaetian Railway, which has served us well on this and previous holidays in the area
Back in Guarda...
The end of another wonderful walk as we complete the circuit and arrive back at the Hotel Meisser
