STORIES

This is the Switzerland where the warm wind blows and the old ways still feel relevant. Where the mountains are high and phone signal is low. Where the outdoors are so ingrained into the local way of life, they’re practically a birthright. For proof, dive straight into these autumn adventures….

1. Hike from hut to hut in Graubünden

Image Source: Pixabay – Image: Flüela Pass

Experience the Swiss high life on a mountain tour between the Flüela Pass and Albula Pass. Don’t expect a phone signal up here – this is all about fresh-air fun, your company… and you. You’ll end your soul-stirring trip in the ancient village of Bergün, where you can lengthen your stay by checking into Art Nouveau award-winner Kurhaus Bergün. If you’re unsure where to start with a mountain adventure, the helpful team at this former wellness hotel can organise it for you.

2. Swim in the wild in Rorschacherberg

Image Source: Pixabay – Image: bathhouse

A sleepier sort of pace has reigned over Rorschacherberg for centuries. It’s one you long to return to once you leave. Outdoor swimming is practically Swiss human rights, but if you prefer your plunges with a changing room closeby, Badhütte is the bathhouse for you. Dating from 1924, the wooden building has brought the priceless feeling of wild swimming to many a bather on the shore of Lake Constance. For more pool-based joy (amping up the luxe factor this time) and cloud-like sleeping, make 16th-century haven Schloss Wartegg your regal castle stay in the area.

3. Horse-ride through the valleys of Sils-Maria

It might not be the first activity you consider in St. Moritz – what with all the lakes to swim, mountains to hike and trails to cycle. But horse-drawn carriage rides into the Val Fex are probably the most romantic way to experience this heavenly countryside. Your accommodation is an adventure in itself: Hotel Waldhaus is a much-loved, family-run hotel looking over the Fex Valley and carrying a worthy five stars. Passed down through generations since 1908, this grand forest lodge radiates old-world grandeur.

4. Meet Alpine herdsmen with their cattle in Wengen

High above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen is what you see when you close your eyes and imagine the Swiss countryside. You can take the Wengernalp Mountain Railway to Kleine Scheidegg, a heart-stopping pass between a trio of iconic mountains. It’s no empty peak – Kleine Scheidegg is bustling with life. Wave hello to herdsmen rustling cattle over the pastures and meet climbers prepping for the Eiger North Face. Enjoy a blaze of colour on some of the prettiest hikes in Europe before resting up at belle époque beauty Hotel Falken. As the only 19th-century building still intact in the village, it’s one of the best hotels in Switzerland to experience those early days of tourism in Wengen.

5. Play a round of alpine golf in Klosters

Surrounded by stunning mountain peaks, the glamorous ski resort of Klosters offers a pristine alpine environment where the air is crisp and outdoor traditions thrive. For a golden autumn retreat, you can practice your swing amidst vibrant fall foliage on the local 9-hole golf courses, —where stays of two nights or more reward you with free green fees for every night you stay. 

News from the Chesa Grischuna. To fully immerse yourself in the golden era of Swiss hospitality, check into Hotel Chesa Grischuna. Opened in 1938 and famously nicknamed «Hollywood on the rocks» after legendary guests like Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly, and Greta Garbo, this historic boutique hotel is a masterpiece of local 1930s design and traditional Bündner style.

6. Reach new heights in the valley of Celerina

In the sun-drenched Engadin high valley, summer unfolds across a landscape of majestic peaks, sparkling sunshine, and Belle Époque charm. Here, touching the sky is made possible by the legendary Corvatsch cable car, which transports travelers from the valley up to an astonishing 3,303 metres above sea level—making its mountain station the highest in the entire canton of Graubünden

Just a stone’s throw from glamorous St. Moritz, Celerina invites you to embrace an active alpine lifestyle with world-class hiking trails, breathtaking 360-degree summit view, and seamless “bike-in & bike-out” opportunities right from your doorstep. 

After a day exploring the trails, unwind at the luxurious Cresta Palace Hotel. Built in 1906 in a striking Art Nouveau style, this grand hotel blends historic character with modern alpine-chic comfort, featuring an expansive terrace, four restaurants, and the restorative VITA PURA Spa.