Walking Holidays in the Swiss Alps
Near to St. Moritz and towered over gloriously by the highest mountains in the Eastern Alps, the enchanting village of Sils lies between two majestic lakes of sparkling, teal-coloured water. With a northern Italian climate, this is where the Swiss come to hike, venturing out on waymarked trails, from the idyllic and gentle, to the high and challenging.
The Hotel Maria in Sils is our delightful base, the perfect gateway to easy rambles, moderate hikes and challenging treks. With your Collett’s Walk Pack, you can plan a succession of wonderful walks all within your comfort zone. The icing on the cake is the daily support and knowledge of our Walks Team, not to mention your complimentary Mountain Pass, providing free use of all local cable cars, buses, and mountain trains, including the renowned Bernina Express.
Take a look what our first-time guest Rosemarie wood, and repeat guests Judith & Paul Ransom thought of this holiday in their Swiss Alps walking holiday reviews.
Browse this page for all you need to know about this walking holiday in Switzerland, and then click Enquire or Book Now, submit some information and let our skilled enquiry team do the rest.
At a glance
29 June – 14 September 2025
Arrive & depart any day – stay as long as you wish.
Standard – £1495
Superior – £1595
Single room – £1575
Junior Suites – Contact us
All Grades – Easy & Idyllic, Moderate Classics & Challenging Trails.
7 nights at the 3* Hotel Maria, Sils – including bed, breakfast and 4-course dinner with a glass of wine each evening.
Local Mountain Pass – free local transport (including all buses, trains, cable cars and chairlifts).
Walk Pack – Everything you need to guarantee a holiday of memorable self-guided walks that suit your level of fitness. This includes a Holiday Handbook, 1:25,000 local map, comprehensive walk notes and free access to our smartphone App for easy navigation.
Walks Team – join us and other like-minded guests each evening at ‘Office Hour’ – an opportunity to ask questions and plan your days over maps and Walk Packs.
This holiday is based in Sils-in-Engadin, so we recommend flying into Zurich Airport (for onward rail travel) or Milan Bergamo (if you plan to hire a car).
Example Zurich Flights – London Manchester
Example Milan Bergamo Flights – London Manchester
From Zurich Airport, take the train to Chur to connect with the world-famous Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage train journey to St. Moritz. From there, the Hotel Maria is either 15 mins by bus or a short taxi ride away. Click here to find out more about the rail journey and how to book. Alternatively, fly drive from either Zurich or Milan Bergamo. For a competitive car hire quote please click here.
Sample Itineraries
This uniquely flexible holiday lets you do what you want, when you want.
We provide comprehensive route notes, map extracts and smartphone navigation for:
6 Easy & Idyllic Walks, 6 Moderate Classics & 6 Challenging Hikes
Available daily, our Walks Team knows every walk, plus some fabulous proposals for non-walking days.
Day 1
ArriveAfter a warm welcome, relax and settle in. Your Walk Pack will be waiting for you. Join our Walks Team at Office Hour in the early evening. Ask questions and get your walk planning off to the perfect start. Enjoy dinner with everything sorted for the following day. Wednesday is a day-off for our Walks Team, so any Wednesday arrivals meet the team on Thursday morning.
Day 2
Surlej & SilvaplanaSightseeing & Strolling at Leisure
Surlej & Silvaplana
A thrilling double cable car ascent to the Engadin’s highest peak at 3303m. Absorb inspirational views over morning coffee. On your descent, disembark at Surlej and enjoy the short walk to Lake Silvaplana, alive with the vivid colours of windsurfs. Picnic by the lake or take lunch at the Papalou campsite restaurant. Or cross the bridge to explore Silvaplana.Our Easy & Idyllic Walk
Lake Silvaplana, 11.1kms, Walking Time 3–4hrs, Ascent 175m
Stroll around one of the Engadin’s most spectacular lakes, featuring exquisite floral pastures, grand waterfalls and quaint cafes – and even the chance of a freshwater dip?! Or simply enjoy the vibrant colours of gliding windsurfers, maybe over an aperitif at a lakeside bar.
Day 3
Pontresina or Chamanna ParadisSightseeing & Strolling at Leisure
Pontresina
Witness a unique view of the Upper Engadin and Bernina massif. The Muottas Muragl furnicular was the Engadin’s first. At the top, the Philospher’s Path is an easy 2hr. loop, featuring the world’s most accurate sundial, correct to within 10 seconds! Or, simply enjoy a good lunch on the panoramic sun terrace of the Romantik Hotel.Our Easy & Idyllic Walk
Chamanna Paradis, 6.7kms, Walking Time 3–4hrs, Ascent 300m
Bewitching views from a panoramic sun terrace perched atop a ridge facing the Morteratsch Glacier, this mountain hut boasts an inspirational location. The walk traverses a high valley to a pristine glacial tarn, before finishing at the Alp Languard chairlift for a forest descent to Pontresina with more scenic treasures to indulge in.
Day 4
Sils Maria or Val FedozSightseeing & Strolling at Leisure
Sils Maria
Stay local and enjoy the best of Sils. Maybe start with the Furtschellas cable car with a cheeky coffee and cake at the top? Here the views of lakes Silvaplana and Sils will enchant you. Perhaps take a boat trip to Maloja? How about an afternoon visit to Nietzhe’s house and the Sils Museum before an aperitif in the village’s pretty piazza?Our Easy & Idyllic Walk
Val Fedoz, 12.8kms, Walking Time 4–5hrs, Ascent 250m
A gentle adventure into the stunning Val Fedoz with sections alongside Lake Silsersee. Val Fedoz is tranquil and idyllic, abundant in flora, comical marmots, and soaring bearded vultures. The picturesque village of Isola is perfect for a drink as you approach home.Day 5
St Moritz or Pontresina PanoramicaSightseeing & Strolling at Leisure
St Moritz Cable Car & Funicular
Indulge in the allure of St Moritz and its magical surroundings on a dramatic double cable car ascent to Piz Nair (3056m) via Corviglia. From both top stations you can stroll to alpine huts for refreshment or lunch. Enjoy sensational mountain panoramas and a bird’s eye views of the Engadin. Option to do the 3kms downhill walk to the Signal cable car for a descent to St. Moritz Bad.Our Easy & Idyllic Walk
Pontresina Panoramica, 10.6kms, Walking Time 4-5hrs, Ascent 320m
At the start of the day, the enthralling funicular to Muottas Muragl provides one of the area’s finest views. The walk along the panoramic path reveals Val Roseg and St Moritz, not visible from the valley below. Finish at Alp Languard and marvel at the Roseg glacier over welcoming refreshment.
Day 6
Diavolezza or Lagh da CavlocSightseeing & Strolling at Leisure
Alp Grum & Diavolezza
The Bernina UNESCO train with its glass-toppped carriages takes you from St Moritz to Alp Grum. Hop off at Bernina Diavolezza, where a cable car ride reveals glaciers and close-up views of our highest peaks, Bernina & Palu. Here you can do the free Virtual Reality mountain experience, whilst walking options include a 2kms glacier circuit with 215m of ascent. Continue up to Alp Grum on the train for a panoramic-rich restaurant lunch or picnic.Our Easy & Idyllic Walk
Lagh da Cavloc, 10.5kms, Walking Time 4–5hrs, Ascent 350m
A gorgeous hike up to one of the Engadin’s lesser-frequented lakes. Lagh Da Cavloc is in the Forno Valley, renowned for its goat’s cheese – available at the local shop. For some of the walk, you might have the company of the free-range goats themselves. A fabulous lakeside restaurant serves Engadin delicacies.Day 7
St Moritz or Val RosegSightseeing & Strolling at Leisure
St Moritz Town
There’s plenty to see and do in this world-renowned mountain resort, a window-shopper’s paradise! Museums are rife and you can choose between the Segantini, the Berry, the Mili Weber or the Engadiner. Circumnavigate St. Moritz’s own lake or head out to the picturesque Lake da Staz, perfect for a waterside lunch or picnic.Our Easy & Idyllic Walk
Val Roseg, 14.5kms, 4–5hrs, Ascent 200m
This heavenly, flower-rich valley will bewitch you, as you venture through aromatic forest and alongside streams and rivers. Eventually, a magical view showcases the highest mountains in the Eastern Alps with their brilliant white glaciers. A fitting finish to your week, this walk leaves you wanting more!
Day 8
Depart or Extend your stayIndependent onward travel.
Staying longer than 7 nights? Just keep enjoying the walks by working through your Walk Pack and joining the Walks Team at Office Hour.
Day 1
Arrive and Settle inAfter a warm welcome, relax and settle in. Your Walk Pack will be waiting for you. Join our Walks Team at Office Hour in the early evening. Ask questions and get your walk planning off to the perfect start. Enjoy dinner with everything sorted for the following day. Wednesday is a day-off for our Walks Team, so any Wednesday arrivals meet the team on Thursday morning.
Day 2
The Via Engadina12.4kms, Walking Time 4–5hrs, Ascent 550m
One of the signature walks of the Engadin. A delightful hike of sleepy hamlets, traditional farmsteads, and spellbinding mountain vistas. Traverse wildflower-strewn meadows and meander on forest trails before emerging at the majestic Lake Silvaplana.
Day 3
Piz Cheurn12kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 475m
A local classic in the high terrain above the Furtschellas gondola, varied as it is fabulous. No two hours are the same as you climb, traverse and descend some mindboggling scenery. Look out for Edelweiss, Switzerland’s national flower, as you criss-cross streams on your descent through the Val Fex.Day 4
Muragl Terrace10kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 600m
On this beautiful hike, you get mesmerising views of 3 Engadin valleys. You ascend the famous Muotas Muragl funicular before a high traverse in front of looming 4000m peaks. The hike ends at the Alp Languard chairlift, where the local marmots seem particularly brave!Day 5
Alp Muntatsch12.5kms, Walking Time 4–5hrs, Ascent 250m
Walk a charming section of the renowned Via Engiadina above Celerina and Samedan before descending through forest into a valley of flower-rich upland pastures.Day 6
Boval Hutte11kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 550m
Get close up to one of the Engadin’s largest glaciers and witness first-hand geological timelines carved into the rocks, before enjoying the famous ‘Rosti’ at the Boval Hutte, towered over by the highest peak in the area. The closer you get to the glacier, the more captivated you’ll be.Day 7
Fuorcla Surlej15kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 1000m
Spend a day surrounded by the area’s highest peaks on a trail that links two exquisite valleys. The views are sublime, especially from the pass with Val Roseg below.Day 8
Depart or Extend your stayIndependent onward travel.
Staying longer than 7 nights? Just keep enjoying the walks by working through your Walk Pack and joining the Walks Team at Office Hour.
Day 1
Arrive & Settle InAfter a warm welcome, relax and settle in. Your Walk Pack will be waiting for you. Join our Walks Team at Office Hour in the early evening. Ask questions and get your walk planning off to the perfect start. Enjoy dinner with everything sorted for the following day. Wednesday is a day-off for our Walks Team, so any Wednesday arrivals meet the team on Thursday morning.
Day 2
Chantarella14.9kms, Walking Time 6–7hrs, Ascent 750m
Take the long route behind Piz Nair to see a different side of St Moritz. You pass through a delightful variety of classic alpine treasures, including forest, pastureland and scree, as you drink in views of St Moritz, Lake Silvaplana and beyond.Day 3
Surlej Balcony12kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 900m
Hike to ‘the best view in the Engadin’ on a magnificent route that unfolds above Lake Silvaplana and Sils. Then a cable car ascent whisks you to the highest cable car point in the valley at 3303m. Here, get close up to Corvatsch glacier and pick out the iconic Matterhorn to the west.Day 4
Fuorcla Pischa11.1kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 850m
Journey along the renowned Bernina Express before a drama-packed trek of ever-changing views. A remote wild valley yields to fascinating moonscape as the high point beckons. Traverse the mountain top and head down into the Alp Languard valley with its friendly marmots.Day 5
Lake Tscheppa13.2kms, Walking Time 5–6hrs, Ascent 850m
Hike high above the valley with classic views towards Piz Bernina and Piz Corvatsch. The large Tscheppa Lake is frozen for much of the year, only revealing itself once summer is in full swing. After arriving at the lake, high mountain trails indulge you as you pass high tarns and lakes before the ultimate Lake Silvaplana.Day 6
Piz Languard10.3kms, Walking Time 6–7hrs, Ascent 1000m
A magnificent day out above Pontresina. Summit the 3263m peak, with a bit of scrambling near the top, and marvel at spellbinding 360 views of a seemingly unending rim of 4000m peaks. When the ‘top of the world’ feeling subsides, descend just 50m to Georgy’s Hut and wallow in the glory over a cuppa or a beer.Day 7
Es-Cha Hutte16.2kms, Walking Time 6–7hrs, Ascent 900m
A stunning hike into a remoter valley, below one of the most distinguished mountains in the area, Piz Xesch. Today you indulge in peace and tranquillity, save for some clanging cowbells and gushing waterfalls. Heavenly meadowland brings you to a unique and unforgettable view of the Engadin.Day 8
Depart or Extend your stayIndependent onward travel.
Staying longer than 7 nights? Just keep enjoying the walks by working through your Walk Pack and joining the Walks Team at Office Hour.
Accommodation
Our base in the Engadin is Sils, a charming mountain village nestled between two spectacular lakes and surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Eastern Alps. Bustling with local shops and cafés and well-connected to local transport, Sils also offers all the allure of alpine life: horse-drawn taxis, meadows bursting with flowers, and the majestic peaks of Piz Lagrev, Piz Grevasalvas and the Lunghin Pass. Originally a farming and fishing village, many of the buildings here date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
The stylish Hotel Maria sits at the heart of the village and perfectly blends modern comfort and traditional alpine hospitality. The hotel is run by a husband and wife team, Andreas & Regula, who pride themselves on the comfort and indulgence of their guests. You’ll enjoy hearty buffet breakfasts and 4-course evening feasts prepared by elite Italian chefs.
Testimonials
Need to Knows
Our Day Off – Wednesday is the day off for our Walks Team in the Engadin. There is no Office Hour. However, there is always somebody to meet and settle in new arrivals. Breakfast & Dinner are served as normal.
Dietary Requirements – The Hotel Maria requires these in advance of your stay, so please communicate this to us on booking or soon after. The hotel provides “uncomplicated, tasty, fresh, innovative and authentic, Italian cuisine” and satisfaction levels are high. It always offers vegetarian options (which include cheese but not fish or seafood). Where vegans are concerned, whilst willingly catered for, this is not a holiday we wholeheartedly recommend, as the hotel admits that its vegan menus do not compare with the gastronomic experience of other diets.
ETIAS – The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not due to be introduced until mid-2025. Currently there is not an exact date as to when it will come into force. This means you do not need to have a ETIAS for travel to Europe at the moment. For more information read our blog article here
Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.
At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.
Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.
Passport & Visa – any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.
Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.
Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/
ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.
