Walk Team Q&A: Exploring Switzerland’s Quiet Corner
Author : Lara Ehmler
22nd October 2024
Collett’s centre–based walking holidays in Switzerland offer a uniquely flexible formula, mixing an independent self-guided walking holiday with access to the daily support of our knowledgeable Walks Team. Their passion for the region and their desire to help you enjoy the majesty of the Upper Engadin on whichever kind of walks you prefer, will ensure you get the very best walking experience possible.
Meet Our Switzerland Walks Team – Bella & Taea
Collett’s: Hey guys, you’ve both been with Collett’s for three seasons now. How would you describe walking in Switzerland?
Bella: Walking in Switzerland is absolutely divine! Every season brings something new, but the constant is the beauty of the mountains – just stunning.
Taea: Agreed! It’s breathtaking, magical, diverse – there aren’t enough adjectives to describe the beauty of the Engadin!
Collett’s: What’s your favourite part of working as a member of the Collett’s Walk Team?
Taea: Being able to hike almost every day in this beautiful place and then being able to share our passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of the area with guests every evening. I love recommending my favourite walks and places to visit, and creating tailor-made walking plans to suit every guest, to ensure they get the most out of their time here and hopefully leave the Engadin loving the area as much as I do.
Bella: I couldn’t agree more, Taea! I love that it’s my job to explore the Engadin Valley and share my enthusiasm of the landscape and area with our guests. I also love having random deep conversations with our guests about life, sometimes they happen at the most unexpected times. It’s those connections that make this so much more than a job!
Discover Switzerland’s Quiet Corner
With around 300 sunny days each year, this centre-based walking holiday in Switzerland’s Engadin is the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten track and immerse yourself in landscapes featuring the highest peaks in the Eastern Alps, and sparkling lakes and high tarns.
The towering Piz Bernina (4049m) steals the show, visible to walkers from panoramic-rich vantage points, whether they are out on high challenging hikes, moderate walks or idyllic lakeside strolls. Our local Walks Team is ever-present at our base in Sils, just down the road from St. Moritz. It enhances every holiday with advice, recommendations and hidden gems. So, let’s hear about some of their favourite walks…
Swiss Alps Destination Guide
Your Favourite Walks in Switzerland
Collett’s: Sounds like a dream job! What were your Top 3 itineraries or favourite walks in the Engadin Valley this year?
Bella: There are so many amazing walks and things to do, but if I had to pick three, I’d say…”
- Rhaetian Railway Journey – Guests love exploring the Albula and Bernina railway lines, especially because they’re included in their complimentary mountain passes. The scenic ride from St. Moritz down to Val Poschiavo or even into Italy is magical, particularly the section from Alp Grüm.
- Muottas Muragl Funicular – It’s a favourite for sunset lovers. Guests can extend their walk and enjoy a meal in the Panorama Restaurant, with breathtaking views over the valley.
- Heidi’s Village in Grevasalvas – It’s quiet and magical, especially with the views walking above Maloja. You can feel the blend of Swiss and Italian cultures as you explore these hidden gems.
Taea: The cable car rides in the Swiss Alps are truly breathtaking. I’d also add the Corvatsch Cable Car and the Bernina Diavolezza Cable car to this list. Both offer amazing panoramic views. When on the Corvatsch Cable Car you can even see the Matterhorn and the Eiger on a clear day! The Bernina Diavolezza Cable car provides you with great views of the Bernina glaciers and the highest mountains in Graubunden. The best thing is that they are all included in the free Mountain Pass on this holiday.
Your Free Swiss Alps Mountain Pass
As part of your centre-based holiday to the Swiss Alps you receive a free Mountain Pass. This enables you to explore the spectacular scenery of the Engadin Valley by panoramic cable car and iconic mountain trains, including the renowned glacier experience on the UNESCO Bernina Express. It also includes public buses, connecting you to a wide range of walking trails from your base in the charming village of Sils.
Find Out More
Food & Drink Recommendation in the Swiss Alps
Collett’s: What are your favourite local food & drink spots? Any must-try recommendations for future guests?
Bella: There are so many! For a fancy lunch or dinner, the Panorama Restaurant at Muottas Muragl is hard to beat. Guests also love the food at the Corvatsch Cable Car Restaurant and Piz Nair Funicular Restaurant. If you’re after a sweet treat, head to Ristorante Cavloccio —their fruit tarts are a must-try.
Taea: If you want to try some famous Apple Strudel, I’d recommend Alp Munt and Rosti at Coaz Hutte. Bar Cetto in Sils is my favourite place for a post-walk beer or an aperitif before dinner, as you can sit in the sun by the river and enjoy the lovely surroundings.
A lot of guests also compliment Collett’s base at the Hotel Maria, saying it serves delicious dinners, that the staff are so warm and kind, and that the hotel has a wonderful authentic family feel to it.
Your Base in the Engadin Valley
Our base in Engadin is the picturesque village of Sils, nestled between two stunning lakes and framed by the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps. At the heart of Sils lies the elegant Hotel Maria, a blend of modern comfort and traditional alpine charm. Run by Andreas and Regula, the hotel offers warm hospitality, hearty buffet breakfasts, and indulgent 4-course dinners prepared by top Italian chefs.
Read more about what our guest think about their accommodation and overall experience in this guest review from Collett’s first-time guest Rosemarie.
Read The Review
What makes Collett’s centre-based walking holidays so unique?
Collett’s: What do you think sets Collett’s apart from other walking holidays?
Bella: It’s the personal touch. We do our best to help guests with tailored advice. Some arrive with little experience, but we guide them through, from choosing the right walks to helping them adapt plans for the weather or personal fitness levels. We’re there every step of the way—whether it’s navigating terrain or just sharing a conversation during Office Hour. Some of our guests have said they’ve been on walking holidays with other companies before, but once they experience a Collett’s holiday, and the benifits of having a team onthe ground to help you pick the best walks for your needs etc, they end up coming back with us.
Taea: I completely agree! We listen closely to what guests want to experience during a walk, whether it be diverse views, nature and wildflowers, or different types of walks (linear/circular) and we give advice on which walks they would enjoy the most on specific days. We are both super passionate about really getting to know our guests and what they want to get out of their time here.
Collett’s: Thank you for your commitment to providing a great experience! What do you hear guests say about their holidays with us?
Taea: A lot of guests say that they particularly enjoy the diversity of walks in our Walk Packs, providing them with different views and perspectives, as they get to see a lot of different areas of the Upper Engadin. Guests also absolutely love the use of the free mountain pass during their visits here, and definitely make the most of it, utilising all the transport and cable cars available to them. The accommodation and food also get a lot of positive comments too.
Centre-Based Walking Holiday to the Swiss Alps
Our walking holiday in the Swiss Alps is a fabulous way to explore one of Switzerland’s most stunning areas. As Bella and Taea have highlighted, the combination of outstanding location, well-appointed hotel with great food and service, detailed Walk Pack for self-navigation and daily Office Hour to meet the team and also chat sociably to like-minded guests, make this a walking holiday with a real difference. Find out more about this holiday here.
