Must Walk

La Plotta Trail from Soglio to Stampa

Walking is an essential part of life in the Swiss Italian-speaking valley of Bregaglia, known as Bergell in German. This narrow valley has long been a direct passageway from Italy’s northern Lake Como region to the Swiss southeastern Engadin Valley, where St. Moritz and other alpine towns and villages are located. Dramatic mountainscapes rise to the north and south of the Maira River, which flows southwest through the valley below. Though most households own a car, going for walks is still an important part of daily life, whether for exercise, picking up groceries or socializing. Often, all of the above are combined.

Many clearly marked paths lead back and forth through Bregaglia and up and over into neighboring valleys. Telltale red and white stripes and occasional yellow markings indicate if you are on the right track. My cousins remember when they were kids accompanying my uncle, paint bucket in hand, to retouch the trail markers.

The walking routes are endless and include variations for all ages and fitness levels. A more rigorous walk will follow higher altitude trails and descend to the village of your choice when it is time to call it a day. For a more casual stroll with higher altitude views, it is also possible to take the local bright yellow postal bus up to the charming little village of Soglio. The approximately 1.5 hour walk back down into the valley passes through meadows and forests and over streams. Other options are to walk from village to village and enjoy the lovely architecture of the stone houses and churches dating back to the Renaissance and Reformation. Whichever path you choose, you will find that the fresh mountain air is invigorating and the serene landscapes with cows, sheep and goats dotting the landscape relax the mind.