Zernez: Nature, National Park and Culture

Zernez is considered the gateway to the Swiss National Park. For travellers who want to focus on nature and outdoor activities, this connection is a good starting point for planning. Other interests can also be taken into account: the National Park Centre combines an exhibition with help planning hikes, alongside seasonal wildlife observation, a swimming pool and church architecture. Some options are tied to a particular season or specific conditions, while others focus on specific facilities or building history.

National Park: Exhibition and hike planning

The “Wildnis im Zentrum” (Wilderness at the Centre) exhibition on the Swiss National Park is spread across four exhibition rooms. At interactive stations, you can become a researcher yourself. The National Park Centre also offers a media guide in German, French, Italian, Romansh and English. Exhibition elements may be adapted during renovations or redesigns; the languages offered may also change. Check the details before your visit.

The information desk at the National Park Centre helps visitors plan a hike in the Swiss National Park. If you would like to make use of this personal assistance, it is advisable to check availability before travelling. The park has 100 kilometres of hiking trails on 21 official routes. Together, these figures provide an overview of the length of the trail network and the number of routes. Visitors can also be accompanied by guides in the National Park. This option is seasonal; check availability before your trip.

Another seasonal wildlife-watching opportunity is to observe red deer at Stabelchod on the Ofen Pass in Zernez during the rutting season. The timing and sightings depend on natural conditions. When planning your trip, therefore, consider not only the rutting season but also the natural course of the observation.

Seasonal activities and swimming

During the winter season, a natural ice rink next to Planta-Wildenberg Castle is available for free ice skating when temperatures are suitable. Both the season and the temperature are key to this experience. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the conditions before your visit.

The Zernez family swimming pool has a children's area and a 25-metre pool. There is a current channel in the outdoor pool. These details describe specific features of the swimming pool; at the natural ice rink, by contrast, the winter season and temperature determine whether ice skating is possible. This clearly distinguishes the swimming facilities from the seasonal activities.

Church architecture and regional connections

San Maurizius is a listed Protestant Reformed church on elevated ground above Zernez. Inside the church are stucco decorations in the Early Baroque style, exceptional for Graubünden. There is also an organ dating from 1741, with a three-part case. The stucco decorations and the organ offer different points of interest for culture-minded travellers: the style of the interior decoration on the one hand, and a dated furnishing with a distinctive structure on the other.

Zernez is a political municipality in the canton of Graubünden and belongs to the Engiadina Bassa/Val Müstair region. The National Park, seasonal activities and culture offer different perspectives on the area that you can take into account when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Fuldera, Tarasp, Susch, Samnaun, Brail, Sent, Müstair, Ftan.

For the main travel overview: Inn.