The Wild Engadine
Summary
The Engadine is one of the great trail running secrets of the Alps. A beautiful train ride away from the well-known mountain resorts of Grindelwald, Zermatt, and Chamonix, the Engadine’s distance from those mountain hubs is exactly what makes it so valued by those who know it. The region is located in the Southeast corner of Switzerland, alongside the border with Italy. Its biggest town is St Moritz, and the area features some of the most scenic villages in Europe, with Belle Epoque period hotels, and ancient villages dating back centuries. Villages, connected by mountain paths, dot the landscape. For a trail runner, the region is a single-track paradise. Wild valleys are home to herds of ibex and quiet mountain huts are tucked into nooks and crannies. The trails here tend to be quieter than other regions of the Alps. It’s a special place that quickly settles into your heart once you have run there.
Trail running in the Engadine between St. Moritz and Silvaplana. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto.)
Our self-guided trips in this region are based out of Pontresina, a relaxed village at the base of 3,262-meter high Piz Languard, which is home to Switzerland’s largest population of ibex. Pontresina is easily accessible by both train and bus. If you like, schedule your trip here around the Engadine Ultraks trail race. Our partnership with the race organization means we can access race entries, at any time of year. Run the Alps is pleased to partner with Engadine-based trail runner Julia Bleasdale, a former Olympian who fell in love with the area, and has since made the region her home. With advance scheduling, Julia is available as a trail running resource, if you’d like a unique addition to your self-guided tour. You can read more about Julia here. Make it private and bring a guide. Your companions, your dates, your tour. Contact
For more information
Run the Alps story: Julia Bleasdale on Trail Running in Switzerland’s Engadin
Self-Guided Tour FAQ
When you sign up to a Run the Alps trip, your itinerary will be planned in detail. The Engadine trail running routes are between 20-35km long with 1000-1600m ascent. It is possible to shorten each route.
Each self-guided tour includes the following components:
*Three-star hotel accommodations.
*Thorough travel instructions, regional information, our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, and detailed run descriptions printed on durable, waterproof paper, complete with a run profile, time estimates, bail-out options, emergency numbers, and a map – See a sample of the ‘Overview’ section.
Typical pricing is $2,190 per person for a 6 night, 7 day tour when sharing a double. $400 single supplement fee.
Since tour planning time and materials are the same regardless of trip length, cost for shorter trips are not reduced proportionally. Typical pricing for a four-night trip is $1,890, and $1,690 for three nights.
Our Engadine self-guided trip can start as early as June 15th and as late as September 20th.
As we work with you to develop your self-guided itinerary, consider adding one of the many great Alp trail races to your plans. Please contact us to discuss trail race options and timing.
No matter where you are, on every self-guided trip, if a serious problem arises, Run the Alps is just a phone call away.
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions, Covid-19 policy, and travel insurance.