Route: Guarda to Ftan
Area: Switzerland
Date of walk: 17th January 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.7 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Sunshine and blue skies
For the second day running we awoke to sun and blue skies. Some of the mountain paths were still closed following very heavy snow – the heaviest in the area for 20 years. After checking that our proposed route was open we set off from our hotel in Guarda, the excellent Hotel Meisser, and followed a path directly beside the hotel heading east along the valley. From the outset the views ahead were superb, and this remained the case for the remainder of the walk
We joined the road briefly (not an issue as there was no traffic save for the postlady) and walked through the small village of Bos-cha. Just beyond the village we turned off to follow a footpath which climbed gently up to Munt, a small settlement of 3 or 4 houses
We continued along the valley, where it was a thrill to spot a bearded vulture, otherwise known as lammergeier or ossifrage, and one of Europe’s rarest birds. What’s more, I managed to get the long lens out of my rucksack in time to grab some photos of this magnificent bird of prey.
A short while after this sighting Ardez came into sight in the distance, marking the approximate half way point of the walk. Up to this point, and after walking for nearly two hours, we hadn’t seen another soul. It is possible to descend into Ardez, but this would have meant a re-ascent back to the path, so we continued above the village enjoying the views down into it
Beyond Ardez we walked through some woodland towards a gully, at which point the path joined the road to Ftan. Again this was no issue as there was scarcely any traffic. There is a path to Ftan further along the road, but it’s a summer path only and so we continued to follow the road into the attractive village. We didn’t have time to wander around, as the bus to Scuol was waiting in the village square. We quickly hopped on the bus and then caught the train back to Guarda to end another fantastic walk
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It's always good to start a walk from base, and on another glorious morning we set out from the Hotel Meisser
Looking along the valley in our direction of travel with L to R: Piz S-chalambert Dadaint, Piz Ajuz, Piz Lischana (mid-picture), Piz San Jon, and Piz Pisoc, all of them around 3,000 metres high
Piz Giarsinom on our right as we walk past the hotel...
Looking back to the Hotel Meisser
We head east along the Inn River Valley
We're aiming for the small settlement of Bos-cha in the centre of the picture
A well placed bench
The path contours around the mountainside
We probably could have descended and re-ascended to Bos-cha, but it seemed easier to follow the contour line
Bench with a brush
Views back towards Guarda...
We pass through the small settlement of Bos-cha
Beyond the village we fork left along a prepared path
Looking back to Bos-cha
Piz Giarsinom
Gilly admires the view along the valley, including L to R: Piz Ajuz, Piz Lischana, Piz San Jon, and Piz Pisoc (in the clouds)
We pass by a few isolated houses on the high plateau of Munt ...
A thrilling moment awaits just around this corner...
...a rare bearded vulture, or lammergeier, which we mistook for a golden eagle at first. It was thought that these birds killed lambs and even children and they were persecuted to the point where they ceased to exist in the Alps. 20 breeding pairs were reintroduced, and it appears that this has been a success, though these are still rare birds
Luckily I had a medium telephoto lens in my rucksack, and after some hasty fumbling managed to get some photos - the beard is clearly visible in the top left photo. The birds are not flesh eaters, and their diet consists of bones, which they drop from a height if too large to digest at first
The vulture flies out of sight and we continue along the valley - Ardez comes into view below
The ruins of Steinsberg Castle on a hill behind the village
Looking back along the valley
We continue above Ardez - it is possible to descend into the village, but it would mean a re-ascent in our case
Bench with a view over Ardez
Steinsberg Castle again
Piz Lischana and Piz San Jon
We pass by the ruins of Chanoua
More views across the valley...
...and another bench from which to enjoy them
Tarasp below
Zooming in on Tarasp Castle, which dates from the 10th or 11th century
We walk through a wooded area at Val Tasna...
Piz Zuort through the trees
Looking back to Piz Giarsinom
In the absence of a winter path, we are on the road for the remainder of the walk to Ftan
It's not an issue as there is little or no traffic
Looking back across the valley
Journey's end - Ftan
Ski school
Ftan village
We arrive in the village centre just in time to catch the bus back to Guarda - the end of a fantastic walk
