Val Trupchun
I have hiked in this area twice in 2024 and 2025, both times in October during the golden season when the larches turn yellow and orange. There’s a very popular hike in Val Trupchun (Senda Val Trupchun) going into the Swiss National Park, which I included the first time I hiked in this area. It’s really amazing hiking in the valley between the golden larches but the views from above the valley are absolutely stunning and something I can highly recommend.
Hiking routes in the Swiss National Park are closed during the winter months, so make sure to check this before going.
Full route: Swisstopo (icluding Senda Val Trupchun)
The hike starts in the village of S-chanf which is easily reachable by train or bus and well connected to the entire Engadin region. The first part out of the village is flat after which the path turns up through the forest where there are great views towards the north in the direction of Zernez and Piz Vadret.
After the initial climb, the forest slowly opens up and you get the first views into Val Trupchun and towards some of the peaks in the Swiss National Park. As you never get fully above the tree line on this hike, you have beautiful close up views of the larch trees intertwined with clear views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The path is narrow but well kept and nowhere problematic.
Once reaching the top and during the entire part of the route running below Piz Murtiöl you are rewarded with amazing views. At first into Val Trupchun but about half way through, the landscape opens up even more and you get the first glimpse into Val Vaüglia and Val Chaschauna bordered by Italy and Piz Vaüglia at almost 3000 m.
The path opens up on the way down turning into a broad gravel road for most of the way back. Descending down back into the forest and golden larches and walking besides the rivers coming down from the individual valleys is a perfect calm ending to this hike.
Leaving the forest and golden larches, it is just a short way back to S-Chanf. When I added the hike in Val Trupchun, I found it too long to walk back to S-Chanf so I took the bus which runs every day from around mid June until mid October.
