Bainvgnü a Guarda! (Welcome in Guarda)

Guarda is located in the Lower Engadine, high above the river Inn. The car-free village is considered one of the best kept villages in Engadine for its houses with beautiful painted facades or sgraffito decoration in which the upper layer of plaster is cut away to create a design. Guarda is so beautiful a village that it was awarded the Wakker Preis, and also received the distinction "of national importance".

The Schellenursli Village, Guarda, is located at 1653 meters in the Lower Engadine on a south-facing sun terrace. Both in summer and winter, well groomed hiking paths lead from the village into the scenic countryside. The houses of the Engadine village have beautifully painted facades from the first half of the 17th century. A special path is dedicated to Schellenursli - the main character in Alois Carigiet's children book first published in 1945 (book also available in English). This path is particularly suitable for families, since it can be hiked in stages. It goes without saying that in Guarda the ancient tradition of the Chalandamarz is observed. This tradition involves chasing away the winter by the clanking sound of large cow bells. The story of „Schellenursli“ is known by every Swiss child. The Swiss artist Alois Carigiet painted the famous pictures. Thanks to Guarda, this story comes to life once again.

Summer Sports
Hiking
There are more than a dozen marked hiking trails in and around Guarda. The Schellenursli trail with its individual stations not only tell the story of Schellenursli, but also explain the surrounding flora, fauna and landscape. Approx 6 km, 2-3 hours walking time. A very nice trail!

Mountain Biking
Rent a mountain bike at Hotel Meisser and explore the beautiful area.

Winter Sports
A children's ski lift, ice-skating rink, toboggan run and cross-country tracks round out the winter offerings for families.

Excursions
Castle Tarasp
Visit Castle Tarasp (approx 40 min by train and bus from Guarda) the landmark of the Lower Engadine. Built on a one hundred metres high rock, the nearly 1000-year old fortress offers a great view. There are daily guided tours.

Ftan
Located on a sunny plateau, away from the hectic, the village is located in an alpine picturesque landscape. The 400 year old mill tells the story of the rich grain culture from old times. The mill can be visited from 11:00-15:00 hrs. Ftan is approx 40 min by train and bus from Guarda.

S-charl
S-charl (1810 m) is a political faction of Scuol, about 13 km from it. The original village centre is a group of 13 houses and 3 inns arranged around a church. The village is traffic-free.The road into the Val S-charl is narrow and winding but the village does have a postbus service in summer. Along the way, the enormous, canyon-like scree gorge that follows the boundary of the National Park is truly impressive.
The Schmelzra Museum is just a few minutes walk from the village and shows how ore was mined by hand on Mot Madlain for centuries to extract silver and lead. Remains of the walls of the former mining works with information panels, are found opposite the museum.

Swiss National Park
The Swiss National Park is a natural preserve, which is totally protected from human influences and encroachments. Its natural treasures are varied and abundant. Local tourist offices (Zernez, S-chanf, Zuoz, Münstertal) will organize a number of guided tours. Information, documentation, exhibits and an audio visual presentation are all available at the house of the national park in Zernez.

Bernina Express
Escape to the south! - Over the Bernina Pass to Poschiavo and on to Tirano in the Valtellina (Italy). From the Engadine the train will take you from 1800 m (5450 ft) to 2253 m (6830 ft) above sea level at an incline sometimes as steep as 7% without the use of cog wheels, which is unique in Europe. The impressive ride over deep valleys and across stone viaducts ends in Tirano at a mere 429 m (1300 ft) above sea level.

Spa and Sauna Complex in Scuol
Take a train to the theme pool "Engadin Bad Scuol" in the Lower Engadine. Relax in the many indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, solariums, in the "sauna landscape" or in the Roman-Irish steam bath. Tel. 081 861 20 00

Segantini Museum in St. Moritz
About 1 km west of St. Moritz Dorf on Via Somplaz, the terrace road, is a curious domed church-like building which holds the excellent Giovanni Segantini Museum displaying the beautiful work of this largely self-taught Symbolist who is acclaimed as the definitive painter of Alpine life, and who spent the twelve years before his sudden death at the age of 41 working to portray the clear mountain light of the Upper Engadin. Tel. 081 833 44 54 / 081 833 43 33.