Swiss National Park

June to October is the visiting season. July and August are warm but busy. September and early October are good for autumn colours and for the deer rut. The park is closed to most visitors in winter, and snow covers the trails.

• Parco Nazionale Svizzero is the park itself, with about 80 km of marked trails.
• Chamanna Cluozza is the only hut inside the park. You can sleep and eat there.
• Piz d’Esan is a peak on the edge of the park with wide views.
• Lai da Müschauns is a small mountain lake.
• Parkhütte Varusch is a park hut in the Val Trupchun, one of the best places to see deer.

• Hike a day trail in the park.
• Watch deer and ibex in the early morning or evening.
• Visit the park's visitor centre in Zernez.
• Stay a night at the Cluozza hut.
• Take pictures from a distance and use binoculars.

• Scuol has a spa and a castle, about 40 minutes away.
• Zuoz is an old Engadin village.
• Samedan is the main village of the Upper Engadin.
• Poschiavo is on the Bernina railway, south of the park.
• The Ofen Pass road crosses the park between the Engadin and the Val Müstair.

• Scuol and Zuoz are the nearest villages.
• Samedan and Davos are the nearest larger resorts.

• By air: Zurich is the main airport, about 4 hours away by train.
• By train: the nearest stations are Zernez and S-chanf on the Rhaetian Railway. Check times on SBB.
• Postal buses run through the park on the Ofen Pass road.

• There are no roads inside the park, except the Ofen Pass road.
• Postal buses stop at the trailheads.
• Walking is the only way into the park.
• Cars may park only at marked car parks outside the park.

• The Ofen Pass road crosses the park. You may not stop on it, except at car parks.
• Car parks near trailheads are paid and fill up in summer.
• The pass may be closed in winter.

Food is simple in the park. Bring your own picnic. In the villages, try Engadin nut tart, barley soup and local cheese.

People speak Romansh and German. English is widely understood.

• The park rules are strict. Stay on marked trails.
• Do not pick plants or feed animals.
• Fires, camping and dogs are not allowed.
• Mountain weather changes fast. Carry water and warm clothes.

The park opened in 1914. It was the first national park in the Alps. The land had been used for mining and logging before that.

Since then, forests have regrown and wildlife has returned. The park is a research area for nature.

Quick practical facts for Switzerland at a glance: