Champlönch and Grimmels circular loop in the Swiss National Park

A lovely and very easy walk in the exceptional setting of the Swiss National Park, home to marmots, ibex, chamois and the park’s iconic bird, the spotted nutcracker. The atmosphere is quite wooded, with alpine pastures and clearings, dead trees… In the national park, nature is allowed to evolve with as little human intervention as possible, resulting in often stunning landscapes.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.36 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,614 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,637 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,929 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,348 ft

Description of the walk

From Zernez, drive up the Pass dal Fuorn road and stop at P1.
Please note that parking is strictly regulated in the park and strictly prohibited outside designated areas.
The PostBus also serves the starting points for walks, avoiding the need to deal with parking issues. Enquire at the Park House in Zernez.

(S/E) The start is at Car Park No. 1 (P1). Two paths lead from the car park, one heading east and the other south, which are the two ends of the same circular route. You can therefore start in either direction. There are four junctions on this circular route, so take care not to go the wrong way. This description is for a route walked in a clockwise direction. Head east.

(1) At the end of the Champlönch valley, take the path on the right. Enjoy the view, which is superb at this point.

(2) At the end of this long descent from the valley exit, take the path on the left which will lead you across the pass road and continue the walk on the other side.

(3) After crossing the pass road and descending the path on the right, continue straight on, ignoring the path that branches off to the left. However, you may also choose to take this path for about 200m; it will lead you to the Praspöl bridge in a steep-sided gorge, well worth a look. Return via the same route and rejoin the circular route.

(4) After crossing the road again, head back up the path and turn left at the fork. You will then quickly reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,056 ft - Car park P1
  2. 1 : mi 1.24 - alt. 6,667 ft - First fork
  3. 2 : mi 2.86 - alt. 6,168 ft - Second fork
  4. 3 : mi 3.62 - alt. 5,702 ft - Third fork
  5. 4 : mi 4.77 - alt. 6,033 ft - Fourth junction
  6. S/E : mi 5.36 - alt. 6,053 ft - Car park P1

Notes

This hike is one of the routes recommended by the Swiss National Park in Graubünden (Zernez).

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