Where Switzerland is most Swiss?

The producers of the last Heidi film at least decided on the Lower Engadine and shot the modern version of the classic here. Where the 500-year-old Engadine houses with their thick walls and magnificent sgraffito facades press up against the mountain slopes, mineral water bubbles out of the rock, mountain streams rush and happy cows graze on the alps, the world really still seems to be in order. To keep it that way at the border of Switzerland's only national park, the Lower Engadine is focusing on nature- and culture-oriented tourism. An important step in this direction is the national project "Holidays from the Car", for which Engadin Scuol was chosen as a pilot destination.

Enjoying nature
Numerous nature-oriented offers - all accessible by public transport - enable vacationers to discover the treasures of the Lower Engadine alongside experts and learn interesting background information. For example, in the characteristic terraced landscapes of the Lower Engadine, which were created centuries ago, where endangered birds breed, or during nature conservation activities, where you can lend a hand. Among the most impressive experiences are the excursions into the realm of chamois and ibex in the national park. During the deer rut in September, guests can experience how the kings of the forest fight their territorial battles with loud roaring. Rather quiet and mystical, on the other hand, is the "God da Tamangur", the highest Swiss stone pine forest in Europe, which is a symbol of tenacity and will to survive for the Rhaeto-Romans, who are striving to preserve their culture and linguistic identity.

Hiking on a total of 1000 kilometers of trails
The undisputed star is the Via Engiadina, which leads along the sunny side of the high valley through seemingly forgotten mountain villages and across intact alpine landscapes, rewarding the effort with magnificent views of the surrounding peaks. If you want to enjoy the 60 kilometers with its 4305 meters of altitude difference through the Lower Engadine without luggage, you can get the necessary information currently at the tourist office.

Mountain biking
The Lower Engadine is also made for mountain bikers, who can choose from a route network of more than 500 kilometers - with leisurely tours and panoramic rounds as well as with crisp single trails and breathtaking downhill routes. Those who want to pedal together with top athletes should make a note of the National Park Bike Tour. This trail, which is one of the most beautiful in the entire Alpine region, involves 138 kilometers, 4010 vertical meters and 3 passes.

One of the dorados for water sports enthusiasts is the Inn River
which invites in its quiet passages to atmospheric canoe and kayak excursions. However, as the wildest rafting river of the Alps, as it presents itself in the Lower Engadine, it also offers real adventures. While the Scuoler Gorge is still rather calm, so that families with children from the age of eight can also have fun here, the Giarsun Gorge between Susch and Ardez is considered an absolute challenge - a ride through wildly foaming rock water, which roars its way between high rock walls.

Little adventure tips
But not only the characteristic architecture and the Rhaeto-Romanic as language - also the cuisine is unique. If you not only want to try Engadin nut cake, salsiz and Bündnerfleisch, but also prepare dishes such as capuns, pizokels or barley soup yourself, you can take part in special cooking courses. Or how about a visit to the alpine dairyman, who will let you in on the secrets of his cheese production? By the way: since 2004 beer has been brewed again in the Lower Engadine. Specifically in the Bieraria Engiadinaisa in Tschlin, tours with tasting are possible every Tuesday. An adventurous pastime is the scooter, which can be described as a bicycle without pedals or as a scooter with large bicycle wheels and has been used as a means of transportation for more than 100 years. If you want to try it out: Simply rent it at the mountain station of the chairlift Ftan-Nateas and roll back relaxed past meadows with a view over Ftan and Tarasp to the Lower Engadine Dolomites.