Nationalpark: Grimmels, in the Heart of the National Park

An ideal hike for families. Following in the footsteps of the muleteers, the trail leads away from the present pass road and onto the former mule track from Zernez toward the Ofenpass. As a rule, this route is one of the first to be taken in spring in the Swiss National Park. At this time it captivates with a wealth of flowers on the meadows. Even the hoofed animals are still at low altitudes at this time of year. From Champlönch it leads over Alp Grimmels, a magnificent vantage point and back again on other paths. Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Swiss National Park, not even on a leash. Further information on this and all protection regulations can be found at www.nationalpark.ch/en/visit/hiking/protection-regulations/.

From car park 1 to the turnoff leading to Alp Grimmels, the route follows the virtual Champlönch children's trail of the Swiss National Park. By means of a GPS-supported app, families can find out many exciting facts about the National Park on this route. The app is available on the website www.nationalpark.ch/. In addition, the National Park Centre in Zernez offers a booklet including an audio CD on the Champlönch Children's Trail.

The hiking trail begins right at car park 1 on the Ofenpass road and the Champlönch post bus stop (P1) (1838 m a.s.l.). First the trail climbs eastwards, then it follows an off-road groove to the long Champlönch Alp. The former path over the Ofenpass ran here before the current road alignment was chosen in the 19th century. The path leads past a small marshy watercourse fed by springs. One of the rivulets is caught in old well troughs that used to serve as drinking troughs for the herds of domestic animals passing by here. To the east of the Champlönch meadow (2015 m a.s.l.), the trail branches off to the south to Alp Grimmels. The other trail leads to Il Fuorn (see route "Champlönch"). Through a mixed forest, the route reaches the forest-lined meadow of Alp Grimmels (2050 m a.s.l.), which is often used by deer, roe deer and chamois as a grazing ground. The foundation walls of the former alp building in the middle of the meadow provide shelter for adder. The surrounding meadows are populated by numerous marmots. The route climbs a few metres higher after Alp Grimmels and then leads through a shallow hollow between Muottas da Grimmels and Muottas Champlönch before descending to the northwest through fairly steep terrain. In the meadow Bügliets (1981 m a.s.l.), the foundation walls of a former alpine building can again be made out. After Bügliets, in the forest of Las Crastatschas, a fork offers the possibility for a variant: the path to the south leads to car park 3 and the post bus stop Vallun Chafuol (P3). Head north to the former car park 2, and a little above the road back to the starting point.