Guarda - Lavin
I did this hike on the 30th of April, 2025. I got inspiration for this hike from stage 7 of the Via Engiadina, which runs through most of Engadine. It was still early in the season, but quite some trails in Graubünden and Engadine looked snow free, so I decided to go and do this hike.
Full route: Swisstopo
After traveling from Zürich with two trains, I reached Guarda station, where I started the hike. From Guarda station, it is a short but steep walk up to Guarda, which is a really beautiful village with decorated houses and cobble stone streets. I passed through Guarda, and continued on the trail out of the village.
The first part of the trail after Guarda goes through open fields, before it turns off and you start the ascent up through more vegetated areas and forest. I quickly made my way up, and found a nice spot for a morning break, from where I could enjoy the snow covered mountain peaks in the distance.
As I continued after my break, the trail got more narrow, but still for some time went through forest. On this part of the trail, I came across the first marmot of the season. It was surprisingly calm as I walked passed it while keeping my distance to not disturb it unnecessarily.
Although the area had looked relatively snow free, I knew there would be the possibility of snow patches on the trail, and I did once have to walk across a rather large area with snow, covering the trail. Past the snow, the trail continued upwards and almost at the top, I could see the first mountain peak at the opening of the valley.
Up from the top, before starting the descent into the valley, I had really amazing views in direction Zernez and all the mountains around. I really love hiking in spring, when there is still fresh snow on the mountain tops.
The descent into the valley was beautiful, with the views to the mountain peaks on the Swiss and Austrian border. There was still quite some snow on the mountain sides, and several smaller avalanches happened while I walked down, but they were all on the other side and far away.
I had already decided to walk a bit further into the valley before turning back in direction Lavin, and it was some really nice extra kilometers. What I had not expected was the amount of frogs literally covering the valley floor, so for quite some time, I really had to watch my steps.
I left the valley after some time enjoying the calmness and views, and started the walk back to Lavin. After leaving the vally, the last part back to Lavin was through forest, and it was a nice ending to a really beautiful hike.
Back in Lavin, I caught the train back to Landquart, from where I changed to a train back home to Zürich.
