Via Grischuna logistics

DAVOS KLOSTERS TO ST. MORITZ

165 km || 8.900m+/-

7 STAGES

The Experience

The Via Grischuna is a trail running tour for those wanting to experience a less known region of the Alps. Here, in the Romansch speaking region of Switzerland, everything is a bit more quiet, from the towns to the mountains. The cuisine gains an Italian touch while the architecture takes on an almost Dr. Seussian look and feel. There is an undeniable magic that peaks during the golden light and trees of autumn.

Unlike the Via Valais, the Via Grischuna overnights are entirely in hotels or mountain hotels. The route, as it's designed, passes huts but does not stay in any. Each night includes the possibility for private rooms and pretty decadent dinners.

The mountains of the Grischuna are much less alpine than Switzerland's other mountain regions, the Valais and Berner Oberland. Thanks to the lower elevations, the trails pass more often through grass than rock. However, the numbers prove that the stages require vertical, for an average of 1275 meters per day with an average of 24km per day.

Since each stage isn’t too long and the vertical is inside the range of an average day out for Alps runners, the issue is that the days get stacked one on top of another. Thankfully, the overnights are very comfortable with private rooms in hotels. Get an early start each day and you’ll arrive at your overnight with plenty of time to get a nap in. The route requires managing your output to reach St. Moritz, and that’s part of the fun.

Runners planning to do the Via Grischuna should be all around mountain fit and tough, but especially trained for endurance and vertical. Our partners at Uphill Athlete have a specific training program for preparing, and it’s well named: The Big Vert Training Plan. It's critical to understand what you are setting out to do by studying each stage's map and profile. To see what the trail running community is saying about the route, what questions are being asked, and shared experiences, check in at our Via Grischuna Community page.

Overall, the terrain you’ll pass through is friendly for the body. But trail running is trail running and the Alps are guaranteed to serve up one thing - vertical. Some people take a beating on the ups, others find the massive descents to be what causes some breakdown. Be prepared for everything.

Book this run with Eurotrek, the official tour operator of the Via Grischuna.

When to Go

The Via Grischuna season is entirely dependent on how much snow there is. Generally speaking, it is between early July and October.

We recommend going in September when the weather is a bit more stable and the days cooler. Plus, the Alps are at their best when the colors start to swing from greens to golds. The absolute ideal time to go would be late October, when the landscape has turned gold and light snow dusts the high peaks. But, this is risky as a bigger storm at that time of year is likely to shut things down.

Start: Getting to Davos Klosters

The closest airport is Zurich (ZRH).

From Zurich Airport, connect through Landquart to Klosters, which takes about 2 hours.

Train: Travel by Swiss national rail (SBB) to Landquart and then continue on the Rhaetian railway (RhB) to Klosters or Davos.

By car: From Landquart follow canton road 28 to Davos Klosters. *Note a motorway vignette (CHF 40.00) is required for motorways in Switzerland, and is available at border controls, gas stations, and post offices.

For detailed information on getting there, visit Davos Klosters Tourism

To the Trailhead: Klosters to Berghaus Vereina

To get to the official start of the Via Grischuna, a 45 minute shuttle runs from Klosters to the remote Berghaus Vereina.

Klosters to Vereina Shuttle Check here for shuttle schedule, cost, and to make a reservation.

Finish: Leaving St. Moritz

Returning to Zurich Airport from St. Moritz, takes around 3 hours by car or by train. There are a variety of convenient public transport options including SBB, RhB, and the scenic Glacier Express.

By car: Drive over well-maintained pass roads or load your car onto a train and ride through the Vereina Tunnel.

For more information on travel, visit St. Moritz Tourism

Switzerland's largest mountain sport shop for all your trail running needs.

Accommodations:

The overnights alternate between mountain guesthouses and hotels in the valley towns. The guesthouses are very comfortable, offer the ability to shower, and provide great food and drinks. The first two nights and the fourth night are in guesthouses, deep in the valleys. They aren't exactly roughing it, and are incredible places to start and end the day.

Nights in town give you more flexibility with your food and even indulge in some wellness if you choose.

Berghaus Vereina

Berggasthaus Dürrboden

Bergün - hotel in town

Berggasthaus Spinas

Bivio - hotel in town

Sils-Maria - hotel in town

Pontresina - hotel in town

St Moritz - hotel in town

Luggage Transfer:

You can use the Swiss train system (SBB) to send bags by train for holding at stations. Using this system, there is the option of having bags transferred from Davos to your finish in St Moritz. Visit the Luggage Section of the SBB site for details, planning, and costs.