02 8319 2266 from Australia
416-628-3473 from Canada
04 889 4515 from New Zealand
646-757-1102 from the USA
Davos to St. Moritz
Arrival day: Arrive in Davos
Your trips starts on arrival in Davos. Davos is a reasonably modern-looking town reachable, via a change of trains, from Zurich. Dine out in town.
Hotel in Davos (breakfast)
Your trips starts on arrival in Davos. Davos is a reasonably modern-looking town reachable, via a change of trains, from Zurich. Dine out in town.
Hotel in Davos (breakfast)
Stage 1: Davos to Sand
Red 4 (grade) 15.6km with 1,130m ascent, 810m descent
Our first stage starts at Davos-Platz station, right in town. Stage 1 passes the Jakobshorn cable car, and climbs to the summit of Jakobshorn itself. After the summit, descend towards Sertig-Dörlfi - with an optional, yet recommended, ridge walk - in a valley connected to Davos. Continue through this quintessentially Swiss landscape a short way to Sertig-Sand, now solidly in the hills.
Hotel (breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 15.6km with 1,130m ascent, 810m descent
Our first stage starts at Davos-Platz station, right in town. Stage 1 passes the Jakobshorn cable car, and climbs to the summit of Jakobshorn itself. After the summit, descend towards Sertig-Dörlfi - with an optional, yet recommended, ridge walk - in a valley connected to Davos. Continue through this quintessentially Swiss landscape a short way to Sertig-Sand, now solidly in the hills.
Hotel (breakfast)
Stage 2: Sand to the Kesch Hütte
Red 3 (grade) 12.6km with 1120m ascent, 350m descent
Today we head higher and cross the hills as we ascend, away from Davos, through the Chuëalptal and up to the rocky Sertigpass. An optional detour to the attractive Duncanbah waterfall makes a worthwhile addition. A gentle descent beyond the Sertigpass leads past scenic lakes, before a final ascent to the hut, surrounded by mountain vistas and the impressive Porchabella Glacier.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 12.6km with 1120m ascent, 350m descent
Today we head higher and cross the hills as we ascend, away from Davos, through the Chuëalptal and up to the rocky Sertigpass. An optional detour to the attractive Duncanbah waterfall makes a worthwhile addition. A gentle descent beyond the Sertigpass leads past scenic lakes, before a final ascent to the hut, surrounded by mountain vistas and the impressive Porchabella Glacier.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 3: Kesch Hütte to Es-cha Hütte
Red 3 (grade) 14.2km with 940m ascent, 970m descent
Today can be seen as walking three sides of a square, as we make our way around Piz Kesch (3417m) and the Porchabella Glacier, to the welcoming Es-cha Hütte. Start with a descent through the peaceful Schegvel valley, before turning sharply South to ascend through remote Val Plazbi. Today’s col, Fuorcla Pischa, marks the high point of the trip at 2,868m, reached across glacial debris. From the col, descend on a varied path to the friendly Es-cha Hütte.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Red 3 (grade) 14.2km with 940m ascent, 970m descent
Today can be seen as walking three sides of a square, as we make our way around Piz Kesch (3417m) and the Porchabella Glacier, to the welcoming Es-cha Hütte. Start with a descent through the peaceful Schegvel valley, before turning sharply South to ascend through remote Val Plazbi. Today’s col, Fuorcla Pischa, marks the high point of the trip at 2,868m, reached across glacial debris. From the col, descend on a varied path to the friendly Es-cha Hütte.
Mountain hut (dinner and breakfast)
Stage 4: Es-cha Hütte to Bever
Red 4 (grade) 11.9km with 150m ascent and 1000m descent
Today’s stage takes you from the high mountains to the wide Upper-Engadine valley floor. It starts with a steep descent from the hut in the Müra valley, before joining the pleasant and undulating ‘Via Engiadina’ path, which we follow for the remainder of the trip, all the way to Maloja. Walk through meadows and some forest paths before reaching sleepy Bever, with its fascinating plaster decorations on buildings.
Hotel (breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 11.9km with 150m ascent and 1000m descent
Today’s stage takes you from the high mountains to the wide Upper-Engadine valley floor. It starts with a steep descent from the hut in the Müra valley, before joining the pleasant and undulating ‘Via Engiadina’ path, which we follow for the remainder of the trip, all the way to Maloja. Walk through meadows and some forest paths before reaching sleepy Bever, with its fascinating plaster decorations on buildings.
Hotel (breakfast)
Stage 5: Bever to Corviglia
Red 4 (grade) 14km with 1050m ascent and 280m descent
A steep ascent starts the day from Bever, with excellent views opening up from the top over to St Moritz, that glamorous little town elevated on the hillside above its lake. Good paths mark the way as we traverse the hillside. Reach Marguns with its ski infrastructure and refreshment options, before a final climb to one of today’s highlights, the spectacular reservoir of Lej Alv. A short descent leads to Corviglia, where we take the funicular railway to St Moritz.
Hotel (breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 14km with 1050m ascent and 280m descent
A steep ascent starts the day from Bever, with excellent views opening up from the top over to St Moritz, that glamorous little town elevated on the hillside above its lake. Good paths mark the way as we traverse the hillside. Reach Marguns with its ski infrastructure and refreshment options, before a final climb to one of today’s highlights, the spectacular reservoir of Lej Alv. A short descent leads to Corviglia, where we take the funicular railway to St Moritz.
Hotel (breakfast)
Stage 6: Corviglia to Maloja
Red 4 (grade) 21.8km with 520m ascent and 1180m descent
Return to Corviglia and quickly depart from the ski area, and begin our high balcony route to Maloja accompanied by a chain of turquoise lakes. The route is varied with high rocky paths, gentle forest tracks, mountain views aplenty, Alpine meadows and quaint hamlets. It’s a solid all-rounder of a day, finishing in the village of Maloja at the head of the valley, where regular buses run back to St Moritz for a final celebratory night in town. Hotel (breakfast)
Red 4 (grade) 21.8km with 520m ascent and 1180m descent
Return to Corviglia and quickly depart from the ski area, and begin our high balcony route to Maloja accompanied by a chain of turquoise lakes. The route is varied with high rocky paths, gentle forest tracks, mountain views aplenty, Alpine meadows and quaint hamlets. It’s a solid all-rounder of a day, finishing in the village of Maloja at the head of the valley, where regular buses run back to St Moritz for a final celebratory night in town. Hotel (breakfast)
Departure day: Depart from St. Moritz
Once in St Moritz, in the Engadine, we are ideally sited for the Bernina Express, that train across magnificent Swiss hills in the South East. Congratulations on the Davos to St Moritz!
Once in St Moritz, in the Engadine, we are ideally sited for the Bernina Express, that train across magnificent Swiss hills in the South East. Congratulations on the Davos to St Moritz!
Trip Options
The spacing of huts and hotels determines the schedules available on the Davos to St. Moritz trip, and options for longer or shorter itineraries are limited. Speaking generally, we love to work with hikers to plan a trip which best suits each group's walking style.Make the trip shorter
Our normal 6-stage trip can be made shorter, even if incomplete, in that you could end your trek at Bever and take the regular train up-valley to St Moritz. This would be 4 stages and therefore, if you prefer it, just 5 nights. We can also skip the first and last nights (Davos and St Moritz respectively) if you have other plans on your arrival and departure days.
Add a rest day
We wouldn’t recommend adding in a rest day through this 6-day hike, as stage 4 from Es-cha Hütte to Bever is a short stage which acts as a semi rest day anyway. The other locations are small and don’t really lend themselves to a rest day. We’d therefore suggest St Moritz as the best place to spend an extra day if you have the time, perhaps giving you the option to take the famous Bernina Express train journey to Italy and back. If you wish to spend longer in Davos then please just ask us. For those who prefer a more urban setting, we could book Davos (at a nice hotel) in place of your second night which is in Sand. The hotel in Sand is delightful and characterful, and the setting is beautiful, and there is also a regular bus up to mid-evening which goes to Davos-Platz.
Make the trip longer
If you fancy enjoying the majesty of the Swiss Graubünden, known as the wildest and scenically most impressive of the Swiss Cantons, for a bit longer then the simplest thing would be to stay for longer in either Davos or St Moritz. Please ask us to add nights in these bases.
Hike with a leader
Hike with confidence in the company of our fully qualified International Mountain Leaders (IMLs), with the navigation, accommodation and arrangements taken care of. If your group would like a guide for your trip, please get in touch for more details.
2027 Prices
|
Davos to St. Moritz 15 July to 16 Sept 2027 |
|||
| Classic | |||
| Self-guided | |||
|
6 stages (7 nights) |
GBP 1,380 Singles 340 Main Trip |
||
|
6 stages 1 rest day (8 nights) |
GBP 1,560 Singles 420 |
||
| Options | |||
|
Baggage transfer To all stops except Kesch hut |
Please ask us | ||
|
Baggage transfer Direct |
Please ask us | ||
Accommodation
Where we stay
Our Classic mix of accommodation aims to give an enticing taste of life in the Swiss Alps. We include lovely 3* or 4* hotels in Davos, Sand, Bever and St. Moritz. In addition to these nights we stay at the Kesch Hütte and Es-cha Hütte, two recently renovated mountain huts. Overall then, you will have 5 nights in private rooms and 2 nights in dormitories in the huts, with the possibility of us booking a small private room at Es-cha Hütte if available on your dates. The Kesch hut only has dormitories and no private rooms.
Dormitories
On our Davos to St. Moritz trip there is one night in confirmed dormitory accommodation at Kesch Hütte. Es-cha Hütte offers a mix of dormitories and private rooms, which we will book if available on your dates. (Please ask us if you prefer more basic accommodation overall, which generally would lower your price.) Dormitory rooms are mixed gender, in bunk beds or on sleeping platforms, typically with between 8 – 12 people. Guests then share tables for their evening meal. This is as per normal in an Alpine mountain hut and is a convivial way to spend your evening, conversing with people from around the world! Despite the rustic sleeping arrangements, these huts are newly renovated and have good facilities. The wonder of sleeping high in the mountains and waking up in these remote locations, makes it all the more worthwhile. It’s a true Alpine experience.
Comfy
While we do not offer a pre-planned ‘Comfy’ trip on the Davos to St Moritz (as in, smarter hotels) we can still upgrade certain nights, especially in Davos and St. Moritz and would be glad to do so and to adjust your price accordingly. Please just ask us. Davos and St Moritz each have many hotel options up to and including the very smart.
Single Room Supplement
Our single supplement covers single occupancy rooms on the five hotel nights. There are no single rooms available at the huts.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. For solo walkers we suggest our guided Via Alpina (Bernese Oberland).
Our Classic mix of accommodation aims to give an enticing taste of life in the Swiss Alps. We include lovely 3* or 4* hotels in Davos, Sand, Bever and St. Moritz. In addition to these nights we stay at the Kesch Hütte and Es-cha Hütte, two recently renovated mountain huts. Overall then, you will have 5 nights in private rooms and 2 nights in dormitories in the huts, with the possibility of us booking a small private room at Es-cha Hütte if available on your dates. The Kesch hut only has dormitories and no private rooms.
Dormitories
On our Davos to St. Moritz trip there is one night in confirmed dormitory accommodation at Kesch Hütte. Es-cha Hütte offers a mix of dormitories and private rooms, which we will book if available on your dates. (Please ask us if you prefer more basic accommodation overall, which generally would lower your price.) Dormitory rooms are mixed gender, in bunk beds or on sleeping platforms, typically with between 8 – 12 people. Guests then share tables for their evening meal. This is as per normal in an Alpine mountain hut and is a convivial way to spend your evening, conversing with people from around the world! Despite the rustic sleeping arrangements, these huts are newly renovated and have good facilities. The wonder of sleeping high in the mountains and waking up in these remote locations, makes it all the more worthwhile. It’s a true Alpine experience.
Comfy
While we do not offer a pre-planned ‘Comfy’ trip on the Davos to St Moritz (as in, smarter hotels) we can still upgrade certain nights, especially in Davos and St. Moritz and would be glad to do so and to adjust your price accordingly. Please just ask us. Davos and St Moritz each have many hotel options up to and including the very smart.
Single Room Supplement
Our single supplement covers single occupancy rooms on the five hotel nights. There are no single rooms available at the huts.
Solo Travel
We do not take bookings for solo walkers on self-guided trips. For solo walkers we suggest our guided Via Alpina (Bernese Oberland).
Route
Our Davos to St. Moritz trip gives a complete journey on foot from Davos to Maloja (just beyond St Moritz), using a funicular railway to reach your accommodation in St. Moritz after stage 5, and a local bus to reach St. Moritz from the end point of the trail in Maloja.
The Davos to St. Moritz trail itself is a route on good footpaths, crossing from valley to valley in a handsome traverse of the Graubünden region. Although there is no 'Davos to St. Moritz' route signed as such on the ground, our Routecards describe the route in great detail and the actual footpaths that you are walking on are the well-signed and well-waymarked, official Swiss footpaths. From half way through Stage 4 until the end of the trip, you will be following the official ‘Via Engiadina’ path, which is well signposted as such. We celebrate this fabulous mountain area and the original purpose of Davos, which of course was mountain tourism.
The Terrain
The terrain on our Davos to St. Moritz trip provides an exciting mix of solid trails, over which you can stride out among the high peaks, combined with narrower zig-zagging hillside paths on steep, loose and sometimes exposed terrain. The Davos to St. Moritz is first and foremost a walk, with no via ferrata or climbing sections.
In some places the paths are particularly steep and loose, for example on the final approaches to mountain passes such as the Sertigpass. These sections require steady balance and a head for heights.
Is it for me?
The Davos to St. Moritz is a trek with a mix of high mountain passes, spectacular views, picturesque and idyllic Swiss scenes, and an excellent mix of accommodation. What’s wonderful about this area between Davos and St. Moritz is that it feels tucked away, unspoilt, and the trails are blissfully quiet. The trails are manageable for fit mountain walkers who are happy to walk for up to 8 hours a day over rocky and sometimes exposed ground. If you are fit and active in your day-to-day life, and have day hiking experience, then the Davos to St. Moritz can also be suitable for those new to multi-day trekking in the European Alps. A map and compass are essential for safe navigation in poor weather.
A level of self-sufficiency on the Davos to St. Moritz trip is necessary. On three days, between Sand and Bever, you will need to carry all your kit. This means everything you need for daily life; but it’s not too much and it makes for a satisfying daily routine. Bedding is provided at the huts (you must bring a sleeping bag liner, not a full sleeping bag), but not towels, which you'll have to provide yourself.
Difficulty
The Davos to St. Moritz is first and foremost a walk and we grade it as a Red. There are no glacier crossings, via ferrata sections or rock climbing sections. There are, however, sections of steep and rocky ground which require steady foot placement and an ability to cope with walking along some narrow and exposed paths. Please let us know if you’d like more detail on the trickier bits of the trail.
Davos to St Moritz Walking Guide - more about the route itself
How to get there
It makes sense to venture into Italy after your Davos to St. Moritz walk, but this would be a long journey and needs careful connections. After taking the obvious Bernina Express train to Tirano, in Italy, the bus from Tirano actually revisits Switzerland at Lugano. From Lugano, trains continue South towards Milan, and this could be the start of Italian explorations. Please ask us to advise! We love Lugano, on its lake.
Travel to and from the trip is not included in the holiday price. We take care to give the most useful notes possible about all the travel options. We supply these both on booking and in your info pack, and we offer personalised tips at any point. The aim is that our walkers arrange their travel by the simplest and most scenic means as suits their plan.
Please ask us if you have any questions about getting to the route; we'll be delighted to advise.
Included
- Bespoke accommodation itinerary - tailored to suit your particular requirements
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner at the 2 huts
- Detailed Routecards DSM1-6 of the Exploratory system, printed on waterproof paper
- Topographical maps covering the route
- Downloadable GPX Tracks covering the route
- Expert advice and local information
- A comprehensive 'Season Update' following our pre-season recce
- Full support during your trip from the Alpine Exploratory team (9am until 9pm in the Alps)
Not included
- Travel to and from your trip
- Transport to reach off-route accommodation (unless otherwise specified)
- Any other local transport taken whilst on the trip
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and evening meals (except for 2 evening meals at the 2 huts)
- Baggage transfers (available as an extra)
Baggage transfer
We offer a partial baggage transfer service on the Davos to St. Moritz as an optional extra. It is important to be aware that due to the route visiting two huts, bags can only be transferred from Davos to Sertig-Sand, to Bever and then to St. Moritz. Unfortunately we are unable to get your bags to you at the huts, so on these nights your bags will travel ahead to the next hotel (normally in Bever) and will be waiting for you there. Please contact us for more information on baggage transfer and for prices.
Questions about the Davos to St. Moritz?
Feel free to ask any questions about your planning. Ben, Eve, Ione, Katy, Lucy, Rob, Simon, Skylar or Steph will reply with expert advice. We spend a lot of time hiking our routes (and trails around the world) so please ask us anything.
 
Enquiry Form
|
If you prefer, please feel welcome to email or call us. Thanks!
| Contact Alpine Exploratory | |
| info@alpineexploratory.com | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 214 1144 |
| Our times |
9am to 5pm UK time, Monday to Friday |
| Our national-rate numbers. Please use for a cheaper call to our Edinburgh office |
From the USA: 646-757-1102 From Canada: 416-628-3473 From Australia: 02 8319 2266 From New Zealand: 04 889 4515 |
Open to the world
Since Alpine Exploratory started in 2005 we have loved getting to know our clients from around the world. Our best-represented countries are the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Looking out over Lake Silvaplana on Stage 6, firmly in the Upper Engadine
Alpine Exploratory
