Route: Samedan to Spinas and back
Area: Eastern Swiss Alps
Date of walk: 22nd January 2015
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 10.6 miles
Weather: Snowed most of the time, brighter towards the end
We caught the bus from outside our hotel in Pontresina and a few minutes later alighted in the small town of Samedan. We walked through the attractive old part of the town, and at the post office we turned uphill to join a terraced hiking trail through the woods
When we reached Bever we joined another trail which leads up the valley to the small settlement of Spinas. It was easy walking all the way, and as usual the paths were well waymarked
After refreshments at the restaurant in Spinas we retraced our steps, and just before reaching Bever we forked off along a delightful path which gave us good views over the church before leading us into the town itself. We wandered around the streets for a while – there are lots of beautiful old buildings to admire – and then walked back to Samedan along the foot of the valley
It snowed quite heavily for most of the walk and this meant that we didn’t have any views of the surrounding mountains. This wasn’t a cause of regret though, as there was a magical atmosphere and it was yet another great walk in the Engadine area
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As we looked out from our hotel balcony it was snowing - we didn’t mind at all, so much better than rain
We took the train to nearby Samedan
We walked through the attractive town
Leaving Samedan
We follow the sign for Bever
The elevated path runs above the valley
Looking down to the valley floor - we’ll be returning that way later
Monochrome surroundings, but lovely all the same
Just before the village of Bever, we turn left to head up Val Bever
These winter hiking paths are superbly maintained - there’s even a brush on the bench to dust away the snow
Looking back down the valley as it starts to snow more heavily
We cross over to the other side of the river
The pink waymarking for hikers may look gaudy, but there’s a practical reason for it, as we found out in a whiteout at high altitude a couple of days ago
Heading into Val Bever
We are awestruck by the surroundings
This makes us want to try cross country skiing
The Glacier Express passes by - we’ll be on that train tomorrow
The snow became heavier as we progressed - but that enhanced the walk as far as we were concerned
A willow tit near one of the bird feeding stations along the valley
And a crested tit - wow!
The Beverin River
The train goes by as we pass through this tunnel shortly before Spinas
Arriving at Spinas, with a horse drawn sleigh just ahead
After a glass of gluhwein at Spinas we retrace our steps back down the valley, and the train passes by again
Pine forest on the way back down
Gilly looks over Bever before we descend into the village
We enter Bever and spend some time walking round this lovely village
As we walk back to Samedan along the valley floor we reflect on a wonderful walking holiday in the Engadine region
