Route: Motta Naluns to Ftan
Area: Switzerland
Date of walk: 16th January 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.0 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Sunshine and blue skies
When we arrived at the Hotel Meisser in Guarda two days ago, all the walking paths in the area were closed due to massive amounts of snow and the risk of avalanches. However, a sunny day yesterday enabled the piste bashers to go about their business, as a result of which many of the paths were re-opened
After checking that our proposed route was viable we travelled by bus and train to the village of Scuol further along the valley, and from there we took the gondola up to Motta Naluns at a height of 2,146m or 7,000 feet. It was a glorious day and the views from the gondola station were sensational
We followed a wide waymarked path gently downhill to the top of the Ftan chairlift at Prui. From here we had an option to hire tobaggans and follow the run down to Ftan, but we were enjoying the walk so much that we decided to continue on foot down to Ftan
When we arrived at Ftan we debated whether to lengthen the walk by following the path back to Guarda. The information boards didn’t extend as far as Guarda, and so we couldn’t determine if the paths were open. We decided not to take any risks, and so caught the chairlift back up to Prui and from there retraced our steps to the top station of the Scuol gondola, enjoying the wonderful views for a second time
It was a superb and very easy walk, and we were fortunate to enjoy it in such good weather. We arrived back in Guarda with enough time to spare for a short walk above the village, and some photos of this appear later
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The bus stop in Guarda - we await the village bus which will take us to Guarda station at the bottom of the valley
We catch the train to Scuol further along the Lower Engadine Valley
From Scuol we take the gondola to Motta Naluns and the start of the walk at a height of 7,000 feet
Map at the top of the gondola which shows the route well - from Motta Naluns we will take paths 36 to Prui and 37 to Ftan. We hadn't decided on our return route yet but in the event, due to path closures, would take the chairlift back up to Prui, walk back to the gondola, return to Scuol and from there take the train back to Guarda
Start of the walk at we head from Motta Naluns to Prui
Looking across the Engadine Valley
One one several benches along the way - many of them are provided with brushes to dust away the snow
Looking back to the gondola station
Further along the prepared path, which was closed yesterday following the heavy snowfall earlier in the week, and the risk of avalanches...
Wonderful views across the valley
Looking down to Ftan, our destination
The path contours around the mountainside, and it's very easy going...
Deep snow has almost buried this hut
We arrive at Prui - there's a toboggan run down to Ftan from here but we prefer to stay on foot
We cross the ski piste - no need to look both ways!
Pristine snow
The path descends at an easy gradient towards Ftan
Glistening snow...
Ftan below
We pass through a woodland area
Ftan again...
We arrive at the Ftan chairlift - our plan had been to continue along the valley to Ardez but we couldn't determine whether the path was open. We decided to take the chairlift back up the mountain
At the top we disembarked at Prui and retraced our steps back to the Motta Naluns gondola
On the way back to Motta Naluns, Val Minger, with Piz San Jon left and Piz Zuort right
We arrive back at Motta Naluns and take the gondola back down to Scuol
Scuol railway station and from here we take the train and a bus back to our base in Guarda
Some snowy scenes in Guarda...
We have enough time to follow a short waymarked trail above the village...
Back in the village...
The village library, open for business again
Back to our hotel, but we could continue to enjoy mountain views...
Dusk from the window of Room 25 - L to R: Piz Ajuz, Piz Lischana, Piz San Jon (centre of photo), Piz Pisoc, and Piz Zuort (the latter being the highest at over 10,000 feet)
A few minutes later
A great end to a great day
