Hidden in the heart of Graubünden, you will find the Kesch Trek, one of the most beautiful options for your walking holidays in Switzerland. This 4-day trek leads you through breathtaking mountain landscapes, including wide valleys, glaciers, steep rock formations, lakes and the peace that only the mountains can offer. The Kesch Trek is also suitable for the less experienced mountain goats, due to its well maintained and marked trails. After the reconstruction of the Grialetsch Hütte, the Kesch Trek will be back in its original form in 2022. Below you will find everything you need to know about this trek, including the route, accommodation, a map and much more!
While walking on the Kesch Trek, you will cross the Flüela and the Albula Passes and you will spend your nights in cozy mountain huts. On your last day, you will visit Lai da Palpuogna, described by the locals as the most beautiful lake in Switzerland. Get your hiking boots ready and discover this Swiss gem in the canton of the Grisons!
When Is the Best Season To Do the Kesch Trek?
The Grisons (Graubünden) region is known for its enchanting winter season: romantic snow-covered mountains, chic ski chalets and adventurous slopes. Few people, however, know the charm of the region in spring and summer. From June to October, the thick snow melts and beautiful hut tours, including the famous Kesch Trek, emerge. The huts on the Kesch Trek are open from mid-June to the end of September and welcome their visitors with delicious local food! July and August are the most popular months for this region. Make sure you pack well, it can be warm during the day, but temperatures in the mountains are usually very low when the sun goes down.
The Kesch Trek for Beginners? Can I Do It?
Yes, the Kesch Trek is also suitable for someone who has never done a hut trek before. But like any mountain trek, you should not take it too lightly. The Kesch Trek is a self-guided walk, and therefore despite the terrain it is clearly marked and easy to follow. However, there are some tough days, including the crossing of the Fuorcla Pischa pass at over 2,800 meters on day 3. In case of bad weather, therefore, this hut trip can suddenly become dangerous. Make sure you prepare for your hut trip well in advance. That means that you have a map and a compass and you take care of the right equipment. You should also check the weather forecast beforehand and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. The owners of the mountain huts can also give you good advice along the way. Not quite sure yet? Contact our Trekking Experts now for advice without obligation!
Kesch Trek Map
The Kesch Trek starts from the bus stop at Flüela Pass, or alternatively, from Dürrboden in the Dischma Valley. The ending point of the trek is in Bergün. In total, the Kesch trek encompasses 59 km of mountain trails, 3 mountain huts, and countless stunning views.
Komootis a very useful app when it comes to planning trekking adventures.Download here our map for the Kesch Trek.
How Do I Get To the Starting Point of the Kesch Trek?
To get to the starting point of the Kesch Trek, you must first travel to Davos. The journey to Davos is best made by train. The nearest international airport is Zurich, only 150 km away from Davos and well connected by train. The train journey through the Alps is a very special experience and the best way to start your Kesch Trek adventure!
Of course, you can also go to the Kesch Trek by car. You can park (paid) at the Jakobshorn car park in Davos Platz. The Kesch Trek starts near Davos from the bus stop at Flüelapass (2263m), or alternatively from Dürrboden (2007m) in the Dischma valley. Both starting points are easy to reach by public transport.
The Kesch Trek ends in Bergün. From Bergün you can easily return to Davos by train or tram. The train from Bergün to Davos takes 1.5 hours and the tram ride takes 45 minutes.
Kesch Trek Day-to-Day
In the summer of 2021 the Kesch Trek was forced to change due to the renovation of the Grialetsch-Hütte and was moved to the Waalserhuus. For the summer of 2022 the reconstruction will be finished and the Kesch Trek will be back in its original form! Check out our packages here.
Stage 1: Davos to Grialetsch Hütte
You start the Kesch Trek at the Flüela Pass at 2263m where the first stage takes you to the Grialetsch Hut. The Grialetsch hut at 2542 meters is not much more than 2.5 hours walk from the Flüela pass. Time to spare? The Flüela Scharzhorn (3147m) is a relatively easy summit to climb on the way to the Grialetsch-Hut.
Distance: 6,4 km
Walking time: 2:45 uur
Ascent: 450 m
Descent: 300 m
Stage 2: Grialetsch-Hütte to Kesch Hütte
Today's path to the Kesch Hut leads over the Scaletta Pass and along the Panorama Road, which is on the route of the annual "Swiss Alpine Marathon". Today you will spend the night in the Kesch Hut, which was newly built in 2001 and is a model in terms of energy supply and concept in the Alpine region. The Kesch Hütte has also been awarded the European Union eco-label and is the winner of the Swiss Solar Award.
Distance: 12.8 km
Walking time: 4:45 hours
Ascent: 590 m
Descent: 520 m
Stage 3: Kesch Hut via Plazbi to the Escha Hut
The third stage is the most adventurous and promising section of the Kesch Trek. From the Kesch hut, you first descend to the Alp digl Chant. Here you can taste and buy homemade products such as yogurt, mountain cheese, and milk. After the steep ascent to the Fuorcla Pischa Pass at over 2,800 meters, and the highest point of the Kesch Trek, another descent will take you to the Es-cha hut.
Distance: 14,1 km
Walking time: 5:10 h
Ascent: 970 m
Descent: 1002 m
Stage 4: Escha Hut over the Albula pass to Preda/Bergün
On the last day of the Kesch trek, a particularly beautiful spot awaits you. Shortly before Preda is the Lai da Palpuogna, which was named "the most beautiful spot in Switzerland" in a survey by Swiss television. The Palpuognasee Lake shimmers in different shades of blue and, in autumn, the contrast with the yellow larches is particularly beautiful. Take the time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take a break at the barbecue areas around the lake. Then follow the trek down to Preda. You can either spend the night in Preda or continue to Bergün.
Distance: 20,4 km
Walking time: 6 h
Ascent: 78 m
Descent: 1307 m
What is the Accommodation like on the Kesch Trek?
On this hut tour in Switzerland, there are 3 huts where you can spend the night. These 3 huts are managed by the Swiss Alpine Club, but are leased by local families. As already mentioned, in the summer of 2021 the Waalserhuus was used. But for the season of 2022 the renovation of Grialetsch Hütte is finished and it returns in our program. Swiss hospitality awaits you!
Grialetsch Hütte
No, there is no internet connection in this SAC hut. You can also leave your mobile phone at home, because there is no reception either. But otherwise there is everything you need for a relaxing stay, because this mountain hut was completely renovated in 2021 and otherwise meets all the requirements of our time. Enjoy!
Kesch Hütte
The Kesch Hut SAC is located between Davos and the Albula Pass, east of Bergün, on the Fuorcla Funtauna, at 2625m. Here life gets a new lightness. In the middle of the Ela Nature Park, outdoor enthusiasts will find a SAC hut with a magnificent view and modern infrastructure. With a capacity for 92 guests, the Kesch Hut welcomes hikers, mountaineers, climbers, mountain bikers, and families alike.
Es-cha Hütte
The Es-cha hut is situated at 2594 m.a.s.l. above the Upper Engadine at the southern foot of the Piz Kesch. The hut was built in 1934 by the Bernina section of the SAC and was renovated and extended in 1989. In 2019-2020 the existing hut was extended and renovated. A new kitchen was built as well as storage rooms, sanitary facilities, and other smaller rooms. The hut offers 43 sleeping places, divided into rooms for 2 to 10 people. In summer, a small hut, above the main hut, offers additional space for 10 people.
Availability on the Kesch Trek is limited and securing your huts is not easy. We at Bookatrekking.com maintain warm contacts with SAC huts and are happy to take this burden off your shoulders. Find here all the packages for the Kesch Trek and other hut to hut tours in Switzerland.
Huts on the Kesch Trek and COVID-19
With the current world situation, huts on the Kesch Trek, like in all other hut-to-hut tours in the region, had to take some preventive measures. From the Alta Via 1 in Italy to the Salzburger Almenweg in Austria, the same rules apply. In order to be able to spend the night at a mountain hut during this time, please follow these rules:
- Do not visit the huts if you have symptoms
- Bring your own sleeping bag(thin silk or cotton sleeping bag) and pillow
- Wash your hands regularly and keep your distance from other trekkers
- Facemask is compulsory
- Bring your own towel
- Bring your own waste bag (take waste back down to the valley)
- Overnight only with previous reservation
Packing List for Your Hiking Holidays in Switzerland
It doesn't matter where you are going trekking or for how long. Carrying the right equipment with you is paramount. For the Kesch Trek you will need, first and foremost, a good backpack. The size of your backpack will depend on how many days you will be spending on the mountain, the season, and the clothes you will be taking with you. We have prepared a packing list with some essential clothing that you should include and some extras that you may find useful:
Essentials
- Walking boots (worn in)
- walking socks
- Base layer tops – ideally thermal
- Mid-layer tops (eg. fleece)
- Trekking Trousers
- Hat for warmth or shade
- Gloves
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Warm layer.
- Casual clothes & footwear for evenings.
- Nightwear and underwear
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses & sun cream
- Toiletries
Extras
- Small first aid kit
- Blister Plasters
- Insect repellent
- Electrical socket adapter
- Camera and charger
- Map and compass
- Whistle
- Book to read
- Energy snacks
- Walking poles
- Buff
Can I Book My Hiking Holidays in Switzerland on Bookatrekking.com?
The Kesch Trek offers the opportunity to embark on a completely independent adventure. The biggest challenge during your trekking in Switzerland, and especially the Kesch Trek, is not so much following the route, but booking accommodation along the way. If you need help booking accommodation for the Kesch Trek, we can help. Our trekking specialists can book accommodation for you, so that you can prepare for your trek without stress.
Are you looking for an alternative hut to hut tour in Europe? Then take a look at one of our blog posts below:
- The GR20 in Corsica
- Tour Du Mont Blanc
- Peter Habeler Runde
- Alta Via 2
- Alta Via 1
- Walker's Haute Route
- Mercantour
- Tour du Mont Thabor
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Kesch Trek in Graubünden
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Kesch Trek - Including accommodation before and after
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