In Lain Hotel Cadonau Zernez

Enjoy the sense of just being, in the here and now, at the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau. An experience for all the senses, a revelation of taste – tempting and liberating – this is what makes the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau so special. The people running it are special, too.

Nature is the stage and the auditorium – the theatre which envelops this hotel. Time becomes a soothing flow in this magical place. IN LAIN stands for sincere hospitality, fresh and exiquiste cuisine and beautiful moments.

The IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau – one thousand six hundred meters above the rush of everyday life. Exclusive, authentic, uncomplicated and Engadine-style…

Dario Cadonau runs the hotel together with his wife Tamara who has several years’ experience in the hospitality business. In his capacity as chef and owner, Dario lives the dream he has always nurtured.

After his apprenticeship as cook at the Suvretta-House in St. Moritz he worked for various stars of the restaurant scene: for the 19-point chef Philippe Rochat in Crissier, at Bumann’s 18-point gourmet restaurant Chesa Pirani in La Punt and finally in Germany for the 19-point chef Harald Wohlfahrt at the Traube Tonbach.

SPA-SUITE
Unparalleled – this label fits the IN LAIN SPA Suite, a luxurious world of its own, all 85m2 for your perfect enjoyment and pleasure. The personal SPA area fulfils your private spa dream; it is built into the suite and comprises sauna, whirlpool and steam bath.

Relax and enjoy, alone or as a couple, and feel tension ease away. Relax out of doors? No problem, the suite boasts its own garden with sun loungers.

The furnishings and design are sophisticated, made from local wood and light fabrics in muted colours. A large living-room, a separate bedroom and a separate dressing room complete this dream of a suite.

GARDEN-SUITE
With an area of 65m2, furnished in local wood and fitted out with high-end fabrics and inviting sitting areas, these suites are real gems. The sleeping area is screened-off from the living area and completed by a generously proportioned walk-in wardrobe.

The bathroom can be accessed from both sides; the separate toilet and the shower are finished in precious natural stone. From the bathtub the view goes directly into the bedroom and – yes, you have guessed correctly – out into the larch forests.

A large, covered private terrace with a charming ‘private’ garden is another highlight of our garden suites.

TERRACE JUNIOR-SUITE
Homely, warm und cosy: these are our unique Terrace Junior Suites. The stone pine beds feel like heaven since this wood guarantees deep and restful sleep. The private terrace is pure pleasure, inviting you to savour the moment.

The mountains seem close enough to touch; the fantastic views from the suite will enchant you. Indeed, even from the bathtub of the spacious bathroom with its two separate washbasins and the separate toilet with shower you will be able to look through a window into the suite and beyond, into the Engadine mountains.

ENGADIN JUNIOR-SUITE
Live in a Engadine stone pine room and enjoy your private wooden terrace. The Junior Suite in the Engadine house measures 35m2.

The lovingly chosen furnishings create the feeling of a warm and cosy home. In the snug stone pine bed you will sleep like a log (or like a marmot in winter, as we say here). You will wake up energized the next morning, ready to explore the beautiful surroundings, such as the nearby National Park.

SUN TERRACE

You just HAVE to stop and enjoy the view! The IN-LAIN Sun Terrace is also made of wood and offers a fantastic view of the mountains in the National Park. They seem to be close enough to touch.

On the Sun Terrace you can enjoy fresh food prepared directly in our garden kitchen, or indulge in a wonderful dessert or just have a refreshing or warming drink. The IN LAIN team can also spoil you with coffee specialities on a sunny winter’s day.

GOURMET RESTAURANT VIVANDA
1 Star Michelin and 17 Gault&Millau Points

At the Gourmet Restaurant VIVANDA you will be treated to an exclusive surprise, degustation menu in the evening. Dario Cadonau has learnt his passion – cooking – from top chefs.

He cooked with Daniel Bumann at the Chesa Pirani in La Punt (18 points and 2 stars), with Philip Rochat in Crissier (19 points and 3 stars) and with Harald Wohlfahrt at the Traube, Tonbach (19 points and 3 stars).

You can select the wine to go with your gourmet meal yourself in the vaulted cellar or choose from the wine list. The open fire, many candles and the personal service will provide you with an unforgettable experience.

CHEF’S TABLE
There is talk of an exclusive kitchen table…Take a seat at our Chef’s Table with a direct view of the kitchen and a view of the red wine cellar.

A special place to experience culinary highlights while you witness the creation of culinary delights. The Chef’s Table, which seats 2 to 8 persons, will no doubt become your favorite table.

WINE CELLAR
A noble selection of red wines is stored in the old masonry, stone by stone. You can choose your preferred bottle below or consult our sommelier.

LA STÜVETTA
Select your favourite meal from the menu. Do you feel like starting with a crisp salad or a hot freshly-made soup? How about an Engadine medaillon of beef filet in its coat of Brail stonepine with seasonal side dishes? We especially recommend the tempting 3- to 5-course menu.

Dario and his team accompany you through many surprises and experiences. The dishes are made à-la-minute and are therefore extra fresh. The sweet temptation at the end of your meal comes from the in-house patisserie – a heavenly treat. The IN-LAIN team spoils you all day long.

RESTAURANT KÄSEREI
The IN-LAIN Restaurant für tasty fondue! Not the latest food fashion, but certainly unique: the Restaurant Käserei at the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau. Delicious fondue variations, Raclette, Fondue Chinoise and “Gschwellti & Käse”.

Have your meal while watching the cheese-making process in the most beautiful showcase cheese dairy in the world. If the fancy takes you, you can take turns stirring the cheese and get valuable advice about good cheese.

IN-LAIN cheese can be bought at the in-house shop – an ideal gift for friends and family at home or for those who have fallen for this fine cheese. The restaurant Käserei can as well be booked exclusively for your party.

SUNDAY BRUNCH
Whether you are an early bird or someone who fancies a lie-in, simply enjoy your Sunday morning. From 9:00 to 14:00 we serve your food directly at your table. On the sunny terrace in summer or – if temperatures are low – in the cosy Stüvetta.

Let us take care of you and spoil you with breakfast delights, sparkling Prosecco, delicious bread straight out of the wood-fired oven and home-made egg dishes freshly-prepared on the wood-fired stove.

LOUNGE AND CIGAR LOUNGE
The IN LAIN Bar, which is in the new annex of the hotel, is probably one of the homeliest places in the Engadine. The view is pure poetry, the furnishings restrained, modern and very cosy. It is the ideal meeting place for drinks before a meal, a nightcap after the meal or just for a relaxed evening with friends.

Satisfy your appetite with freshly-made snacks and your sweet tooth with a tempting dessert. You can smoke a fragrant cigar in the Cigar Lounge, with a perfect view of the mountains and the hotel garden, listening to your very own favourite music.

CELEBRATION
There is always a reason for a celebration. Be it a birthday, christening, confirmation, a civil wedding or simply a festive family gathering. There is a large and varied choice of restaurants and premises at the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau.

The IN LAIN team is happy to advise you on the choice of restaurant and – if you wish – organises your event for you. You can trust the professionals to realise your ideas perfectly, from the decoration to the printed menu. Tell us your budget for the event and we will make you an offer accordingly.

WEDDINGS
The reception area is inviting and warm. A fireplace directly near the entrance welcomes the guests. The former living-room next to it and the former hay barn are the ideal setting for celebrating in a relaxed way. The Restaurant La Stüvetta seats 40 wedding guests in an elegant atmosphere.

The Gourmet Restaurant Vivanda was created from the former “cuort” and cellar. Here a fire is crackling, candles are burning: the romantic ambiance and the personal service make your dream wedding come true and create a very special memory. Your hosts recommend the Restaurant Vivanda for 40 guests.

The Restaurant Käserei is somewhat more rustic and contains a showcase cheese dairy. It is perfectly suitable for a small event with up to 25 persons or as an additional setting to the Restaurant Vivanda.

Maybe you would like to surprise your guests with a cheese-making activity? Later, when the cheese is matured, you can present your guests with the cheese they made as a thank-you gift.

The Restaurant VIVANDA and the Käserei are a perfect combination. Both facilities together offer room for up to 60 guests. The IN LAIN Bar with private garden and a sensational view of the National Park and the larch forests is the ideal place for starting and ending your party.

Treat your guests to drinks and, after celebrating, enjoy the IN LAIN Bar until the small hours. The Bar is perfect for dancing and has enough room for a band.

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Are you looking for a place where you can find inspiration, ideas, peace and quiet?

A seminar or a workshop at the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau will help you move forward in every respect. The solution is to combine work with relaxation at the Relais & Châteaux IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau.

Surrounded by wood, ideas will materialise; surrounded by wood, your mind will be productive; surrounded by wood, you will feel at ease even though you are working hard.

In the warm summer months the hotel garden can also be used for group work or workshops. A seminar next to the pond? Why not? The mountains seem close enough to touch, yet you feel the wide-open space of the Engadine.

GARDEN SAUNA
The sauna hut in the hotel garden is the latest IN-LAIN highlight. While you are sweating, you breathe in the fragrance of stonepine and enjoy the breath-taking views of the National Park mountains. Then cool down by dipping into the fresh snow in winter or diving into the natural pond in summer.

BATHING TUB
Be it summer or winter – the bathing tub in the hotel garden offers the purest form of relaxation. Have a bath in stonepine water heated to 38°C. with stonepine. Afterwards you will feel relaxed and invigorated.

Stonepine has many qualities which have a positive effect on your health and your well-being. Slip under the down covers afterwards and feel as if new-born.

NATURAL SWIMMING POND
The natural swimming pond in the hotel garden is ideal for a refreshing dip in summer. The water comes from our own natural spring. It is quiet in the hotel garden and you will enjoy the unique view of the National Park mountains.

ACTIVE
The sun-spoilt Engadine is the largest winter sports area in Switzerland. It is a dream come true for anyone who likes to be out and about. The entire landscape of the Engadine is pure inspiration for physically-active people.

ACTIVE SUMMER
These mountains. These lakes. This light! And in-between so much space for active relaxation. The lake plateau is glittering in the afternoon light, the stonepine forests are fragrant with the scent of fresh resin, and in the villages the Engadine houses present their facades to the sun.

Who would not give in to the call of the great outdoors? On hiking paths all over the mountains, on mountain bikes over the most tempting trails to cloud number nine or on the lakes with our faces to the wind.

From the welcoming summit of Muottas Muragl visitors enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views of the entire Upper Engadine – especially in autumn when the larch forests turn into a sea of flaming colours. The mountain hotel there is a real vantage point: it is the first «Plus-Energy Hotel» in the Alps.

The holiday feeling already starts when you travel to the Engadine on the Rhaetian Railways (RhB). It is important enough to be listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On its impressive journey it carries its passengers into a mountain panorama which has inspired legions of poets and painters. And still does.

Discover the beauty of our region on foot and you will discover: here the journey is truly the destination. We look forward to your spending your summer holidays with us.

GOLF
It was the English who started it all: at the end of the 18th century, English tourists asked for an area of mountain pasture at 1,860 m to be mowed to create a fairway – and thus the first golf course was born.

Nowadays, the Engadin Golf Club has over 1,200 members and is one of the largest in Switzerland. And the Engadin golf courses are the most attractive for miles around. Within an area of 30 kilometres, there are four completely different courses to choose from.

Golf season in each case from: mid-May to mid-October. As an Engadin Golf Hotel we offer our hotel guests attractive and discounted golf experiences.

HIKING IN ENGADIN
The high valley of the Engadin with its wonderfully varied network of trails – 580 kilometres (360 miles) in all – is heaven for hiking.

The contrasts that characterise this region are bewitching: gently sloping hills draped with lush alpine meadows stand close by mighty glaciers, towering snow-capped peaks and sparkling lakes.

The best way to explore this unspoilt landscape is on foot – whether hiking along one of the breathtaking panoramic trails or one of the fascinating theme trails, on a walk along the sparkling lakes, or on a multi-day trek.

The comprehensive network of trails also includes pushchair-accessible paths that are particularly suitable for families. Those preferring a more ambitious mountain hike can make for one of the four areas served by the mountain railways and cableways: Corviglia/Piz Nair, Corvatsch/Furtschellas, Diavolezza and Muottas Muragl/Alp Languard.

These all offer thrilling high-altitude trails with spectacular views. The trails are clearly signposted, and classified according to the guidelines of the BAW (the Graubünden footpaths organisation).

PANORAMA TRAILS
The high valley of the Engadin is heaven for hiking. The contrasts that characterise this region are bewitching: gently sloping hills draped with lush alpine meadows stand close by mighty glaciers, towering snow-capped peaks and sparkling lakes.

This glorious landscape is best explored on foot – and there is no better way to enjoy the breathtaking views over the wide, high valley than hiking on one of the numerous panoramic trails in Engadin St. Moritz.

Muottas Muragl
This excursion combines the pleasures of hiking like no other: the trip up the mountain in the picturesque funicular, the fabulous view across the Engadin lake-strewn plateau to the Bernina Massif, and finally this enchanting panorama trail, which leads through through pine forests and past gnarled roots of Swiss stone pines, and constantly accompanied by a view of the magnificent Bernina mountain range.

Halfway along the route, just below the trail, you will come across the cosy little Unterer Schafberg restaurant, which is the perfect place for a break. The path continues along the slope and through a tunnel.

The climb to Alp Languard will leave you a little out of breath – which provides you with a perfect reason to stop off and treat yourself to a piece of cake and never-ending views. And possible also a good excuse to take things easy and hop in the chairlift for descent to Pontresina.

Piz Nair
St. Moritz’s «home» mountain, Piz Nair, is easily reached by the Chantarella/Corviglia funicular railway and the Piz Nair cable car. Before descending to the hiking trail to the Lej Suvretta, it is worth stopping to take in the magnificent view of the Upper Engadin lake-strewn plateau.

From the Lej Suvretta, the trail leads along the red-marked route on the opposite slope, across rocky steps, right up to Fuorcla Suvretta, where a massive cairn and a breathtaking panorama await. Crossing moraine rubble and grassy slopes, you reach the Traunter Ovas corrie.

After traversing the north slope of Piz Trauner Ovas, you cross the Vadret d’Agnel glacier stream and, after a short ascent, reach the Chamanna Jenatsch, Graubünden’s highest Swiss Alpine Club hut, in one of the bends of the meandering stream.

Here you can take a well-earned break and replenish your energy for the long descent with a delicious, wholesome meal. Thus fortified, you first hike through sparse vegetation along the rushing Beverin river to Tegia d’Val.

From here, it is a lengthy walk through lush, flower-filled Alpine pastures and open Swiss stone pine and larch woods to Spinas. Now you enjoy a leisurely walk out of the valley back to Bever.

SWISS NATIONAL PARK
Extraordinary, but true: in the far eastern corner of Switzerland is a world that has not changed since the days of our great-grandparents.

The Swiss National Park incorporates 170 sq. km (66 square miles) of unspoilt nature, and has been left entirely to its own devices for nearly 100 years. A century ago, visionaries founded the Swiss National Park, creating a unique natural sanctuary.

Concerned about the rapidly changing environment, a group of dedicated conservationists from the Schweizerische Naturforschende Gesellschaft (Swiss Naturalist Society) set themselves the goal of conserving a piece of primeval wilderness in the Engadin for future generations.

Equally visionary – not to mention unique – was their aim to establish Europe’s first national park in Graubünden. The area has been stringently protected since 1914. Not even when a forest fire broke out in the park in 1951 did anyone intervene.

Nowadays, over 5,000 species of animal live in the Swiss National Park. Moreover, with more than 650 flowering plant species, it also boasts a rich variety of flora.

LAKE HIKES
The string of lakes scattered along the wide valley from Maloja to St. Moritz offers countless leisure options as well as photo opportunities – for it provides perhaps the defining image of the Engadin.

You can explore the beautiful, deep-blue Engadin lakes on one of the scenic lake hikes or any number of leisurely strolls. Alongside the four large, well-known lakes along the main valley, the Engadin has several smaller mountain and moor lakes hidden in the forests.

BAREFOOT TRAILS
A hike with a difference through meadows and water, a journey of discovery for all the senses in the Staz Forest, or a regenerating walk with all the family. This and much more can be enjoyed on the new barefoot trails in Celerina.

Barefoot trails are designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore nature underfoot – in the truest sense of the word. There are significant benefits, too: walking barefoot stimulates the blood circulation in the feet and enhances your feeling of well-being.

Moreover, it improves the circulatory system, boosts vitality and activates the immune system. The best thing about it is – the magnificent Engadin scenery alone sets your heart racing, making the nature experience all the more inspiring.

For the new barefoot trails leads through the spectacular nature around Celerina, with the beautiful Staz Forest as the absolute highlight. An experience that adds a unique dimension of pleasure!

The barefoot trails are suitable for adults, as well as families with children. The undergrowth alternates between water, meadow and forest path.

Walkers seeking peace and inspiration can follow the trail alone, couples can spend some quality time together, and groups can use the experience to promote team spirit. But everyone will appreciate and benefit from the tactile sensations resulting from hiking barefoot.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
400 kilometres of mountainbiking bliss: the well-signed Engadin bike routes show you the way.

Anyone seeking the most spectacular ascent, the most stunning panorama or the most beautiful trail can profit from the insider knowledge of the local experts and fortunately in the Engadin there are plenty of them, offering professionally organised tours for all abilities.

What’s more, special mountainbike hotels provide a fitting framework by offering extra infrastructure and services. The mountain transport facilities take bikers to sporting heights – and open up new dimensions for the really ambitious.

Corviglia Flow Trail
Engadin St. Moritz is now offering mountain bikers an attractive new run: the Corviglia Flowtrail. This flowing downhill pump track has been harmoniously integrated into the surrounding landscape. Flow and fun are the key factors when using the trail.

It leads from Corviglia (top station) via Sass Runzöl and Alp Nova down to Chantarella (middle station). But the new flow trail is not just something to be tackled by proficient bikers – families will love it, too.

Flow trail fans can use the Corviglia mountain transport systems to transport their bike from St. Moritz Dorf to Corviglia. The new flow trail is perfect as a warm-up exercise before undertaking a more extensive tour or as a spectacular finish to one of the numerous mountain bike tours on the Corviglia.

Sunrise Piz Nair
Take the cable car up the Piz Nair, over 3,000 metres above sea level, and experience the sun as it rises up above the horizon. Enjoy endless biking trails.

MAGIC WINTER
The Engadine is well-known as one of the most varied winter sport regions in Switzerland. And as one of the most beautiful ones, of course. Experience the authentic traditions that we cherish in our villages: lovingly-renovated houses, unspoilt village life and homely inns.

Yet nature is and remains the main protagonist. It commands all the space it needs in order to unfold. It pays its visitors ample compensation with endless opportunities for enjoyment. It is not by chance that winter sports were invented here.

Discover the Engadine, discover the IN LAIN Hotel Cadonau in all its facets. We look forward to your spending your winter holidays with us.

SKIING
Corviglia
Early risers swear by the “White Carpet”, the first ride down the freshly groomed pistes: at sunrise you can be up on the Piz Nair (3,057m/10,030ft) facing spectacular views, 100km (62 miles) of runs of World-Cup quality, and the Corviglia Snow Park with its 30 obstacles – regarded as one of the finest in Europe.

Those who prefer a rather gentler experience can opt for the 3km (2 mile) Paradiso piste designated for “ChilloutRiding”.

It is the wide range of options on offer that mark out the Corviglia, and St. Moritz and Celerina’s local mountain is quite rightly one of the world’s most famous snow sports playgrounds – thanks, also, to its celebrated “champagne climate”.

Corvatsch
The big cable car is impressive in itself, gliding from Surlej up to the mid-mountain station in just seven minutes.

More impressive still is the spectacular mountain panorama that greets you at the end of the next leg of the ride, when you step out of the cabin at the highest summit station in the Eastern Alps at an altitude of 3,303m (10,837ft).

And it isn’t just the exertion that takes your breath away as you swoop down the demanding but exciting 9km (5.5 mile) descent from the Corvatsch via Hahnensee straight to St. Moritz, or tackle the longest illuminated night run in Switzerland. The Corvatsch is packed with thrills – until well into the springtime.

Diavolezza
Set among the mighty icy peaks of the Bernina Massif, this famous natural amphitheatre is a truly impressive departure point for your thrilling descent to the valley. Skiing here, where the icy peaks of the Bernina Massif tower up high above the glacier tongues, requires considerable concentration.

For although you really came up here to ski, you cannot stop your eyes wandering over to the silvery hanging glaciers, the walls of ice and the snowy-white peaks that seem almost within your grasp.

Zuoz
The 4-person chairlift climbs from the edge of the village of Zuoz up to the heights, gliding silently past the Hotel Castell to the base of the second chairlift. This in turn heads for a higher goal, bringing passengers to the top of Zuoz’s local mountain, the Pizzet (2,465m/8,087ft).

During the ride, as your altitude increases, so does your level of excitement: beneath you stretch wide pistes sparkling in the sunlight, and beyond, the whole valley – more impressive still from a bird’s-eye view.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Don some long, narrow skis and glide through the wide, open expanse of the Engadin valley. Explore the rich variety of spectacular landscapes and ski to your heart’s content.

Whether you prefer the elegant, classic style or the more dynamic skating technique, there are 200 varied kilometres (125 miles) of cross-country trails to discover.

It therefore comes as no surprise that year after year, no fewer than 12,000 cross-country ski enthusiasts make their way to this southerly high-lying valley in the Alps to take part in the world-famous Engadin Ski Marathon.

The Upper Engadin is heaven for cross-country skiers, with its superb combination of attractions: an exceptional variety of spectacular landscapes, trails of outstanding quality, and an unrivalled snow guarantee.

Those looking for a gentler outing opt for the Direttissima across the three lakes, or enjoy one of the longest loops in the Engadin near Zuoz.

More ambitious skiers train on the legendary Marathon route, the 42 most famous kilometres of trail in Switzerland (26 miles), tackle the picturesque side valleys or do their circuits on the racing route near St. Moritz, where they can stretch out their fitness sessions until late in the evening. 15 trail machines ensure perfect conditions every day.

WINTER HIKING
On a stroll across the frozen Engadin lakes, you really appreciate the great expanse of the high valley and especially at sunset, the magical quality of light in the Engadin.

The flat winter walking paths from Maloja to Silvaplana and on to St. Moritz are perfect for families – depending on snow conditions, with pushchairs, too.

For a particularly picturesque winter walk, follow the path from Sils into the romantic Val Fex, or from Maloja through the snow-blanketed forest to the frozen Lake Cavloccio

TRAILS WITH VIEWS
Muottas Muragl
Enjoy the spectacular panorama of the Upper Engadin lake plateau and – like many philosophers of yesteryear – allow yourself to be inspired by the magnificent natural landscape and the fascinating interplay of colours.

The winter hiking path, which is maintained on a daily basis, leads across the high-lying plain via three routes of different lengths. The entire circuit takes 2‒3 hours to cover, but you can also opt for a shorter stretch.

The various routes are clearly signposted in different colours. Stop and linger on one of the wooden benches, equipped with woollen blankets, and let your thoughts wander.

Delight in the beautiful scenery and the tranquillity of the Alpine world! Afterwards you can enjoy a delicious meal or a hot drink in the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl.

On the Corviglia
To climb from St. Moritz Dorf up to Chantarella, you can happily take the funicular; when the sunny plateau of Salastrains comes into view, you have two options.

You either stay at this altitude and stroll gently across to the Restaurant Chasellas, where you can enjoy a crispy salad, Graubünden specialities or a plate of pasta (or, if you come in the evening, the exquisite dishes conjured up by head chef Robert Jagisch).

Or you opt to tackle a few more vertical metres, and walk through the tunnel under the World Championship piste to the Signal cable car. From here it’s just a hop to trendy el paradiso, a stylish but relaxed restaurant with a panoramic terrace serving alpine cuisine with a twist.

Val Fex
Starting in the village of Sils, where the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche spent many productive summers, you head behind the imposing Hotel Waldhaus and into a mysterious landscape, wrapped in white and forgotten to the world.

The enchanting walk leads you through the Laret forest up to the toboggan trail, up to the Val Fex road and finally to Güvé. A short climb leads to a viewpoint offering a sublime panorama that sweeps from the Piz La Margna to the Val Fedoz and over Lake Sils towards Maloja.

In Fex Crasta it is worth stopping to sample the oven-fresh cakes at the rustic Pension Crasta, before following the path through the Platta gorge back to Sils.

ON THE FROZEN LAKES
A winter walk across the frozen lakes offers the most powerful impression of the extraordinary expanse of this high valley. Especially in the late afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky, the walk across the water is an unforgettable experience.

The flat winter walking paths of the lake plateau from Maloja to Silvaplana are also ideal for families with pushchairs.

The Engadin St. Moritz region owes its worldwide renown not least to the extraordinary beauty of its high, lake-strewn plateau. A walk along the three lakes, frozen in winter, offers an experience of special magic.

The path leads from the St. Moritz Cross-Country Ski Centre to the Olympic ski jump, past frozen Lej Marsch and down to Lej Champfèr. It continues on the left-hand side of the valley to Surlej, before following the shore of Lake Silvaplana to Sils.

At the Chastè peninsula, you step onto frozen Lake Sils, and continue walking into the sun as far as Maloja.

WIDE VALLEY
St. Moritz
The stretch of the valley between St. Moritz and Bever is covered by a dense network of winter walking trails criss-crossing the landscape. From leisurely strolls to demanding hikes, there are walks to suit every taste. If you enjoy people-watching, walk across Lake St. Moritz, where the world and his wife is out for a stroll.

If you prefer peace and solitude, head for one of the wonderfully romantic side valleys. And for scenic walks, nothing beats Muottas Muragl, with its panoramic Philosophers’ Trail.

Samedan – Zuoz
This walk leads from the Samedan tourist information centre through the village to the Muntarütsch shooting range, and on eastwards over the Acla Alesch to Bever.

Here it is worth making a detour into the sleepy Val Bever (4km/2.4 miels) before embarking on the return journey from Bever to Samedan, following a path that leads between the old cantonal road and the line of the Rhaetian Railway.

More ambitious walkers can continue on from Bever: at the point where the Beverin flows into the Inn, continuing on to La Punt, and, at the junction to Isellas, following the trail on the right bank of the Inn to Zuoz.

La plaiv
What space, what light, what joy! The La Plaiv winter walking trail is one of the most beautiful in the Engadin. It leads from the bridge over the Inn at La Punt along the river to Madulain and on to Resgia Zuoz.

Here you can fortify yourself with a hot meal at the cross-country skiing centre before continuing: first along the right-hand side of the road towards S-chanf, then bearing towards Flin at the beginner ski lift and on to the hamlet of Chapella near S-chanf. Beside the bridge at the end of the village is Cinuos-chel railway station, and across the road, the Restaurant Veduta.

HORSE-DRWN
Anyone looking for a rather more leisurely day out can enjoy a romantic ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage, exploring the idyllic side valleys or the spectacular landscape of frozen lakes along the way.

A romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride across the frozen lake, through the snow-blanketed Staz forest or through glamorous St. Moritz is one of the highlights of a stay in St. Moritz. Snugly wrapped in furs and blankets, you gaze over the horses’ backs at a landscape of exquisite beauty.

TOBOGGANING
As soon as the temperatures fall and the first snow has settled, the pass roads and footpaths turn into white snow trails that offer mountains of fun for tobogganists. As well as shorter descents and toboggan trails for gentle fun rides, the valley has five official toboggan runs that offer high thrills.

Switzerland’s most famous run is also just around the corner: it’s only a short train ride to reach the descent from Preda to Bergün. This leads along the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula line, which in summer 2008 was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Website: www.inlain.ch

Rooms: 14

Price: from 386 EUR per night