Costainas Pass - Ftan

Pius and Miriam with Gypsie and Mia (from 06.05.18):
We start today's stage early in the morning. After we have breakfast, take down the tent and put all things in the backpacks, we start at 7.40 am. The sun is shining and it is already pleasantly warm. The path is beautiful and leads us through the wild and romantic Val S-charl. Everywhere on the way marmots welcome us with loud whistles. Only the lots of snow causes us difficulties. With every step we sink in and sometimes we are stuck in the snow up to our knees. This is also very exhausting for the dogs. After a little more than an hour we reach Alp Astras, where we take a short break. In summer fresh products are available here, but at the moment the alp is closed. Afterwards we walk steadily downhill through the highest situated Swiss stone pine forest in Europe until we finally reach the idyllic village of S-charl, a former miners' settlement. Especially the first half of this trail costs us a lot of time, as the forest path is still covered with a lot of snow. Except for a few hours of sunshine, this eastern slope is in the shade almost the whole day.

Arriving in S-charl, we get involved in a conversation with an elderly lady. She wants to know where we come from and where we are still going. She also offers us something to eat, which we decline out of politeness, although we are quite hungry. Unfortunately the restaurants are still closed. A nice gentleman, who is currently renovating his restaurant, sells us two cyclists anyway. Meanwhile it is very warm and we can use this cooling down.

From S-charl we walk another 13 km to Scuol, the main town of the Lower Engadine, partly on the access road or right next to it on a narrow path along the river Clemgia. On this stretch we also see a chamois for the first time. From the post bus stop Plan da Funtaunas, the path would actually lead through the narrow Clemgia gorge, which should be an impressive experience. But unfortunately it is closed due to a landslide since August 2017, so that we have to continue walking on the not very nice tarred road. Fortunately we can follow a hiking trail a little later, which leads us steeply downhill in several hairpin bends to Scuol.

In Scuol we drink and eat something at the Hotel Bellaval with its beautiful terrace. Then we continue our hike towards Ftan, our destination for today's stage. Directly after Scuol the steep ascent through the forest begins. However, we are rewarded with a great view of the castle Tarasp and the surrounding peaks. After the ascent of about 400 metres in altitude we continue on the sunny high trail until we arrive at the Hotel Bellavista in Ftan at 6.30 pm.

With a length of 26.5 km, ascents of 739 m and descents of 1'356 m, today's stage was quite exhausting for us and the dogs and we are glad that we can rest in a hotel.

Since the Bellavista is being renovated, we are allowed to stay in the big suite. After last night in the tent we enjoy this offer to the full. After a shower and a fine pizza with wine we all four fall asleep tired and overwhelmed by the beautiful impressions soon.

Price per night/person: CHF 72 and dog CHF 15