Margunet (nature trail in the Swiss National Park)

Logo Margunet (nature trail in the Swiss National Park)
Logo Margunet (nature trail in the Swiss National Park)
Tour data
7.76km
1,794 - 2,328m
Distance
420hm
516hm
Ascent
03:30h
 
Duration
Brief description

The classic park hiking route runs along the nature trail. From the historic forests of the Ofen Pass region to Alp Stabelchod and the phenomenal Margunet vantage point, it has it all.

Difficulty
medium
Rating
Technique
Fitness
Landscape
Experience
Starting point

Post bus stop Stabelchod (P8) (1887 m ü.M.)

Route
Stabelchod
0.9 km
Margunet (2,328 m)
3.3 km
Hotel Parc Naziunal Il Fuorn
7.6 km
Il Fuorn
7.7 km


Best season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Description
One of the best-known and most popular hiking routes in the Swiss National Park. It became famous mainly because a total of 26 bearded vultures were released into the wild near the route in the Val da Stabelchod between 1991 and 2007. In a good 3 hours, the hike provides an interesting cross-section of the Ofen Pass forests and the flower-rich alpine meadows. The nature trail provides a wealth of information in 5 languages.

Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Swiss National Park, not even on a lead. Further information on this and all the protection regulations can be found at nationalpark.ch/protection-regulations

Directions

The route starts at the post bus stop Stabelchod (P8) (1886 m a.s.l.) on the Ofenpass road. The trail leads away from the road, upwards into a uniform mountain pine forest that was last radically cleared about 150 years ago. Passing several clearings, the trail reaches Alp Stabelchod. The former alpine hut serves as a base for the park rangers and is not accessible to visitors.From the alp, the route zigzags up through the God da Margunet. Further up, the path flattens out and fantastic views open up to the Murteras da Stabelchod above the timberline on the opposite side, where we can often spot chamois or deer. The trail continues to the Val da Stabelchod rest area. From the rest area, the gradient increases again and the trail leads in a long zigzag past mats of edelweiss and gentian up to Margunet (2328 m a.s.l.), where an impressive panorama awaits. After the highest point at the signpost, the trail turns north and finally turns west into the Val dal Botsch, rapidly losing altitude until crossing the Ova da Val dal Botsch. Here the trail branches off towards Fuorcla Val dal Botsch and Val Mingèr (see route «Fuorcla Val dal Botsch»). The trail continues over huge scree cones to the Val dal Botsch rest area and into a beautiful mountain pine forest with dense ground vegetation. At the former car park 7 (1876 m a.s.l.) the trail reaches the Ofenpass road (no post bus stop!) and crosses the road to head west towards Il Fuorn. From here it is also possible to take a short walk back to the starting point at Stabelchod (P8). The hike can thus be completed as a circular walk.The last section to Il Fuorn is worthwhile, however, as the final hike beckons along the rushing Ova dal Fuorn, through a humid mixed forest of pines, spruces, larches and stone pines - a striking contrast to the dry mountain pine forest hiked through so far. Vis-à-vis the forest fire area of 1951, the trail reaches the edge of the Ofenberg estate and thus the destination at the Il Fuorn post bus stop (P6) (1794 m a.s.l.) and the Hotel Parc Naziunal Il Fuorn.

Highest point
2,328 m
Endpoint

Post bus stop Stabelchod (P8) (1887 m ü.M.)

Height profile
© outdooractive.com

Equipment

Hiking shoes, warm clothing, sun and rain protection, binoculars recommended, accompanying booklet «Nature Trail», FOCUS leaflets «Vegetation Development» and «Debris Flows».

Safety instructions
Mountain hike (white-red-white) with some climbs.

Emergency call:

144 Emergency call, first aid

1414 Mountain rescue REGA

112 International emergency call

Additional information

Directions
  • From the north: via Landquart - Klosters by car transport through the Vereina Tunnel (Selfranga - Sagliains) or via the Flüela Pass into the Lower Engadine on H27
  • From the east: via Landeck / Austria in the direction of St. Moritz on H27
  • From the south: via Reschenpass (Nauders - Martina) into the Lower Engadine on H27
  • From Zernez on Ofenpassstrasse in the direction of Val Müstair to car park 8
  • From Val Müstair over the Ofenpass towards Zernez to car park 8
Public transportation
  • With the train (from Chur, Prättigau, Upper and Lower Engadine) hourly (partly half-hourly) to Zernez
  • From Zernez with the post bus in the direction of Müstair-Mals hourly to Stabelchod (P8)
Parking
  • Free parking at the railway station, in the village and at the National Park Visitor Centre in Zernez
  • Free parking in car park 8 on the Ofenpass road.

Author

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Overall rating

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GPS Downloads
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QR Download Codes for Mobile Phones

General info

Flora
Fauna
A lot of view
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