Pontresina
Pontresina is situated in the Upper Engadin at an altitude of 1820 m above sea level. Beautiful old houses as well as exciting pubs and restaurants can be found in this open-minded place. The charm of this medium-sized resort lies in the architectural blend of fine old Engadin houses with their typical “sgraffito” (decorated walls) from the 17/18th centuries and the elegant hotels in Belle Epoque style. It is one of the most authentic villages in the Engadin. The language spoken in Pontresina is mostly Romansh (the 4th national language in Switzerland), but German and Italian are also common languages.
Tourist Office Pontresina
Via Maistra 133, 7504 Pontresina, Tel. 081 838 83 00 - www.pontresina.ch
Engadin Card
This card entitles holders to free travel around the Engadin when staying at least 2 nights at a qualifying hotel. You can use it to travel with the public and tourist transportation (bus, train, railway, funicular, cable car or boat) within the Engadin. But that's not all! To enrich the offer mountains such as Muottas Muragl and Mt. Diavolezza are included also.
Muottas Muragl
Here you can hike into panoramic views in the literal sense: over to Alp Languard (Pontresina) or up to the Segantini hut and the Schafberg. Especially enjoyable are the panoramic views from the large sun terrace of the romantic mountain hotel - and sunsets as seen from here are truly remarkable. The train runs until late at night - but you can also take a room at the attractive hotel. A funicular railway takes over the 700-meter climb from Punt Muragl up to the Muottas Muragl for all scenic lovers – accompanied in the upper section by sun collectors that cover the energy requirements of the mountain dwelling in an environmentally friendly way. In winter, Muottas Muragl is now a playground for sledgers, snowshoe hikers and connoisseurs. In winter, Muottas Muragl is now a playground for sledgers, snowshoe hikers and connoisseurs. www.muottasmuragl.ch
Mt. Diavolezza
Mt. Diavolezza provides impressive mountain views including of Piz Palü and Piz Bernina. Simply stand and stare or get involved – six kilometers before the Bernina Pass, the cable car makes its way up on the right to this glacier vantage point almost 3,000 meters high. An ideal spot to lay back and absorb fantastic views courtesy of Mother Nature – at the restaurant or self-serve cantina. A classic glacier hike (5-6 hours strenuous mostly over small rocks) leads from the Diavolezza over the Pers Glacier to Isla Persa, then over the Morteratsch Glacier and on up to the Morteratsch station. We recommend you make this tour in the company of a mountain guide.
www.diavolezza.ch/en/
Summer sports
Hiking
580 km of well-kept hiking trails afford unlimited opportunities for mountain walks. Ask the hotel reception for printed material. The most popular place to walk to is the romantic Val Rosegg (Valley Rosegg). This car-free valley can also be explored by horse-drawn carriage through beautiful larch woods. Enjoy a fantastic view of the lakes of the Upper Engadin from „Muottas Muragl“ (2453 m above sea level), reached by funicular railway. Make sure to visit „Lake Staz“ (Stazersee), a beautiful lake within a large clearing, far away from traffic, reachable on foot or by bike only. Take a walk through historic Pontresina and see buildings from the 13th century (Spaniola tower) and old Engadin houses from the 17th century. Step into the Santa Maria mountain church, which shows frescos from the 13th and 15th centuries.
Biking
More than 400 km bike trails and paths invite you to explore the area on two wheels. Rent a bike in one of many sports shops. Fun is guaranteed.
Excursions
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.
Cheese factory/Alpine Dairy
50 years after the last cheese left Alp Morteratsch, Pontresina's alpine dairy is now again making cheese according to the taditional method on this idyllic alp. Experience the craft of cheese making and taste the produce at a brunch or afternoon snack. The alp ist located at 100 meters of Morteratsch rail station in the direction of Pontresina. The alpine dairy is open from June 17 until October 7, 2012, daily from 9am to 5pm.
Brunch: every day except Monday: please note that brunch reservations must be made at the latest by 5 pm the day prior (Tel. +41 (0)81 842 62 73)!
Spa and Sauna Complex in Scuol
Take a train to the theme pool "Engadin Bad Scuol" in the Lower Engadin. 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
Restaurants
Gondolezza - Swiss Fondue and Raclette (Via Maistra 215 - 081 839 36 36)
Muottas Muragl – Gourmet with "the" view (Muottas Muragl – 081 842 82 32)
Hotel Station – Pizza, family friendly (Station Pontresina – 081 838 80 00)
Gianottis - Local Swiss, wine bar (Via Maistra 140 - 081 842 70 90)
Hotel Hauser St. Moritz – Swiss BBQ (Via Traunter plazzas 7 – 081 837 50 50)