The Swiss National Park at a Glance:
- Founded in 1914 as one of the first national parks in Europe.
- Aim: The Swiss National Park is a sanctuary in which nature is protected against all interference by men, and the entire flora and fauna are left to their natural development.
- Major attractions: Unequaled alpine scenery, re-introduced bearded vulture, golden eagle, capricorn, chamois, stag, marmots, alpine forests and flowers.
- There is only one national park in Switzerland.
- Size: 172.3 km² (0.42% of the area of Switzerland)
- Elevation: Between 1400 and 3173 meter above sea level
- Tree line: 2200 meter above sea level (Engadin only, around 1900 meter in the rest of Switzerland)
- 80 km of trails
- Structure: 1/3 alpine forest 1/3 alpine meadows 1/3 rock
The Swiss National Park (SNP) is located in the very east of Switzerland in the Canton Graubünden in an area where the local language is Romansh, therefore its official name is "Parc Naziunal Svizzer".
The easiest way to get to the SNP is by railway, then take a coach of the postal service into the park. It takes about 2.5 hours from Zürich to Zernez (one way), see www.sbb.ch for time table and price information. By car, it takes about the same amount of time if the road conditions are perfect, but expect delays due to traffic jams or difficult road conditions, especially in winter.
There is one road that runs through the national park, it is called "Pass dal Fuorn" (or "Ofenpass" in German) and connects Zernez with Müstair, a remote valley close to the Italian border. It is open to public, but we suggest to take the postal bus. There are nine parking lots (P1 to P9) and many bus stops along the road which provide access to the various trails.
The major activities are hiking and watching. There are no bikes, no tents and no fires or stoves allowed in the park and there is no such thing as an overnight permit ! - see also park rules above.
However, there are a number of hotels along the "Pass dal Fuorn" road and there is one great opportunity to spend a night inside the national park: The "Chamanna Cluozza", a beautiful hut with rooms of different sizes.
Reservations are required or at least strongly recommended, depending on the season. They provide food, accommodation and a gorgeous view of the clouzza valley and the surrounding mountains. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to get from Zernez to the hut and another 3½ to 4½ hours the next day from the hut to Vallun Chafuol, a parking lot and bus stop at the "Pass dal Fuorn" road. See trip to Chamanna Cluozza for more information and some pictures and check here for reservation.
