RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandGraubündenInnGuarda
Guarda Village – Schellen-Ursli Trail loop from Guarda
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandGraubündenInnGuarda
Guarda Village – Schellen-Ursli Trail loop from Guarda
Easy
4.7
(24)
203
hikers
Guarda Village – Schellen-Ursli Trail loop from Guarda
01:35
4.45km
260m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
393 m
Guarda Village
Highlight • Settlement
Guarda "Guarda – a village for all the senses"
The most beautiful corner of the world? You'll find it in Guarda. This Lower Engadin village, famous for the story of Schellen-Ursli, is one of the most beautiful places in Graubünden. We went on a winter discovery tour and experienced Guarda with all five senses.
Guarda is a feast for the eyes. It's no coincidence that it was voted one of the ten most beautiful mountain villages in Graubünden and was awarded the Wakker Prize for the best-preserved village in 1975. Strolling through Guarda will make you lose track of time, even though the small village could be crossed quickly. But you can't get enough of the picturesque Engadin houses with their paintings and sgraffito, as well as the view of the Lower Engadin Dolomites.
Most of the buildings date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. This is unique in the valley because, unlike other Lower Engadine villages, Guarda was spared major fires. The church, with its ornamental tower, is even more original. It has survived both wars and the Habsburg raids and destruction. What is striking is that the houses in the village center are all oriented toward the road. This is surprising, given the sunny hillside location, but it has something to do with the fact that 500 years ago, Guarda was a street village, and the main traffic artery ran through the small town. Today, Guarda is traffic-free. Those arriving by car should leave their vehicles in the parking lot at the entrance to the village. An even better option is to arrive in a relaxed manner by public transport.
Text / Source: Scuol Tourist Information, Stradun 403a, CH-7550 Scuol
graubuenden.ch/de/graubuenden/regionen/bergdoerfer/guarda
The most beautiful corner of the world? You'll find it in Guarda. This Lower Engadin village, famous for the story of Schellen-Ursli, is one of the most beautiful places in Graubünden. We went on a winter discovery tour and experienced Guarda with all five senses.
Guarda is a feast for the eyes. It's no coincidence that it was voted one of the ten most beautiful mountain villages in Graubünden and was awarded the Wakker Prize for the best-preserved village in 1975. Strolling through Guarda will make you lose track of time, even though the small village could be crossed quickly. But you can't get enough of the picturesque Engadin houses with their paintings and sgraffito, as well as the view of the Lower Engadin Dolomites.
Most of the buildings date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. This is unique in the valley because, unlike other Lower Engadine villages, Guarda was spared major fires. The church, with its ornamental tower, is even more original. It has survived both wars and the Habsburg raids and destruction. What is striking is that the houses in the village center are all oriented toward the road. This is surprising, given the sunny hillside location, but it has something to do with the fact that 500 years ago, Guarda was a street village, and the main traffic artery ran through the small town. Today, Guarda is traffic-free. Those arriving by car should leave their vehicles in the parking lot at the entrance to the village. An even better option is to arrive in a relaxed manner by public transport.
Text / Source: Scuol Tourist Information, Stradun 403a, CH-7550 Scuol
graubuenden.ch/de/graubuenden/regionen/bergdoerfer/guarda
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
462 m
Schellenursli House
Highlight • Historical Site
Schellen-Ursli "The Schellenursli House (No. 51)" Guarda
The "Schellen-Ursli"), in the Romansh original Uorsin, is the most famous Swiss children's book after Heidi. The children's book, written by Selina Chönz, was first published in 1945 and is still an indispensable part of many Swiss children's rooms today.
The story of Schellen-Ursli takes place in Guarda, a village in the Lower Engadine. It is about the custom of Chalandamarz, which takes place every year on March 1st. Tradition says that winter is driven out and spring is ushered in by the children ringing their bells loudly.
One day before Chalandamarz, Ursli and the other boys from the village visit Uncle Gian, who gives each boy a bell, each one more beautiful than the last. When it is Ursli's turn, he receives the last bell, which wouldn't be the worst thing if it weren't so small, the smallest of all! Everyone laughs at Ursli and calls out to him, "Schellen-Ursli." Ursli cries bitter tears and refuses to accept that he will have to go along with the parade the next day. He suddenly remembers the big, beautiful cowbell that hangs on the wall in the alpine hut in the Maiensäss.
He decides to take the adventurous journey through the deep snow. Meanwhile, his parents are worried. As dusk falls, the whole village is looking for little Ursli; but he has arrived in the snow-covered Maiensäss and found the bell on the wall in the alpine hut. Since it was already dark, he decided to spend the night in the alpine hut.
Text / Source: Guest Information Scuol, Stradun 403a, CH-7550 Scuol
graubuenden.ch/de/schellen-ursli
The "Schellen-Ursli"), in the Romansh original Uorsin, is the most famous Swiss children's book after Heidi. The children's book, written by Selina Chönz, was first published in 1945 and is still an indispensable part of many Swiss children's rooms today.
The story of Schellen-Ursli takes place in Guarda, a village in the Lower Engadine. It is about the custom of Chalandamarz, which takes place every year on March 1st. Tradition says that winter is driven out and spring is ushered in by the children ringing their bells loudly.
One day before Chalandamarz, Ursli and the other boys from the village visit Uncle Gian, who gives each boy a bell, each one more beautiful than the last. When it is Ursli's turn, he receives the last bell, which wouldn't be the worst thing if it weren't so small, the smallest of all! Everyone laughs at Ursli and calls out to him, "Schellen-Ursli." Ursli cries bitter tears and refuses to accept that he will have to go along with the parade the next day. He suddenly remembers the big, beautiful cowbell that hangs on the wall in the alpine hut in the Maiensäss.
He decides to take the adventurous journey through the deep snow. Meanwhile, his parents are worried. As dusk falls, the whole village is looking for little Ursli; but he has arrived in the snow-covered Maiensäss and found the bell on the wall in the alpine hut. Since it was already dark, he decided to spend the night in the alpine hut.
Text / Source: Guest Information Scuol, Stradun 403a, CH-7550 Scuol
graubuenden.ch/de/schellen-ursli
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
519 m
Schellen‑Ursli Museum, Guarda
Highlight • Historical Site
Schellen-Ursli, Guarda
Schellen-Ursli (rarely also Schellenursli), in the Romansh original Uorsin, is a children's story by the author Selina Chönz and the artist Alois Carigiet. It is one of the most famous picture books in Switzerland.
“High up in the mountains, far from here, there lives a little boy like you,” the story begins. It is set in Guarda, an Engadine village in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is about the custom of Chalandamarz, which is carried out every year on March 1st. Tradition has it that winter is driven out in spring with the loud ringing of bells by the Engadine children.
The protagonist Ursli only received a small bell for the Chalandamarz. He is teased by the other village boys for this and does not want to accept that he has to go at the end of the parade the following day. He remembers the big cowbell that hangs in the early summer alpine hut in the Maiensäss. He sets off on the dangerous path through the deep snow up to the hut. Meanwhile, the parents are worried; when it gets dark, the whole village is looking for little Ursli; But he arrived happily in the snow-covered Maiensäss. When Ursli shows up at home the next day with the big bell, there is great relief. Since Ursli now brings the largest bell with him, he is allowed to lead the procession.
Text / Source: wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schellen-Ursli
Schellen-Ursli (rarely also Schellenursli), in the Romansh original Uorsin, is a children's story by the author Selina Chönz and the artist Alois Carigiet. It is one of the most famous picture books in Switzerland.
“High up in the mountains, far from here, there lives a little boy like you,” the story begins. It is set in Guarda, an Engadine village in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is about the custom of Chalandamarz, which is carried out every year on March 1st. Tradition has it that winter is driven out in spring with the loud ringing of bells by the Engadine children.
The protagonist Ursli only received a small bell for the Chalandamarz. He is teased by the other village boys for this and does not want to accept that he has to go at the end of the parade the following day. He remembers the big cowbell that hangs in the early summer alpine hut in the Maiensäss. He sets off on the dangerous path through the deep snow up to the hut. Meanwhile, the parents are worried; when it gets dark, the whole village is looking for little Ursli; But he arrived happily in the snow-covered Maiensäss. When Ursli shows up at home the next day with the big bell, there is great relief. Since Ursli now brings the largest bell with him, he is allowed to lead the procession.
Text / Source: wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schellen-Ursli
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
541 m
Hotel Meisser Restaurant, Guarda
Highlight • Restaurant
Hotel Meisser, Guarda since 1893
A historic hotel in Switzerland - the Meisser family since 1893
We don't tell a story. / We have one.
125 years of Hotel Meisser have encompassed many moving moments and formative companions. You'll encounter some treasured treasures in our historic hotel as part of the furnishings and as a respectful symbol of hospitality practiced in the 5th generation: guest testimonials from the past, handwritten recipes, historical photographs, and unique pieces of Engadin customs and Swiss hospitality. Following since 1893.
Text / Source: Meisser Resort, Dorfstrasse 42, Guarda
hotel-meisser.ch/meisser-hotel-suites/meisser-hotel/familie-meisser
A historic hotel in Switzerland - the Meisser family since 1893
We don't tell a story. / We have one.
125 years of Hotel Meisser have encompassed many moving moments and formative companions. You'll encounter some treasured treasures in our historic hotel as part of the furnishings and as a respectful symbol of hospitality practiced in the 5th generation: guest testimonials from the past, handwritten recipes, historical photographs, and unique pieces of Engadin customs and Swiss hospitality. Following since 1893.
Text / Source: Meisser Resort, Dorfstrasse 42, Guarda
hotel-meisser.ch/meisser-hotel-suites/meisser-hotel/familie-meisser
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
1.93 km
Schellen-Ursli Trail
Highlight • Trail
Enchanting forest trail retracing the story of Schellen-Ursli (A Bell for Ursli). Look out for the picture boards and wooden sculptures along the way.
Tip by
6
3.02 km
Lajet Pond
Highlight • Lake
A detour to Alp Sura is rewarded with a beautiful view!
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
3.40 km
Schellen Ursli Gate
Highlight • Monument
Here goes a part of the bell Ursli way long.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
4.15 km
Guarda Reformed Church
Highlight • Religious Site
Reformed Church Guarda
The church of Guarda was built in connection with the separation from the old parish of Ardez towards the end of the 15th century. The late Gothic nave was built in place of an earlier chapel. The three windows in the polygonal choir contain stained glass by Heide Schmidt. An organ was installed on the wooden west gallery in 1970. Above the portal on the west façade are the Christ monogram and the letters A and Ω. Guarda introduced the Reformed doctrine in 1529, at the same time as the neighboring community of Lavin, where Philipp Gallicius, the main reformer of the Lower Engadine, worked at the time. The church dates from 1483.
Text / Source: EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH COMMUNITY, ARDEZ-FTAN-GUARDA, Arfusch 166, Ardez
ardez-reformiert.ch/gemeinde/kirchen
The church of Guarda was built in connection with the separation from the old parish of Ardez towards the end of the 15th century. The late Gothic nave was built in place of an earlier chapel. The three windows in the polygonal choir contain stained glass by Heide Schmidt. An organ was installed on the wooden west gallery in 1970. Above the portal on the west façade are the Christ monogram and the letters A and Ω. Guarda introduced the Reformed doctrine in 1529, at the same time as the neighboring community of Lavin, where Philipp Gallicius, the main reformer of the Lower Engadine, worked at the time. The church dates from 1483.
Text / Source: EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH COMMUNITY, ARDEZ-FTAN-GUARDA, Arfusch 166, Ardez
ardez-reformiert.ch/gemeinde/kirchen
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
4.45 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
1.78 km
927 m
596 m
570 m
569 m
Surfaces
1.63 km
1.17 km
967 m
644 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Highest point (1,890 m)
Lowest point (1,630 m)
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Weather
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Sunday 10 May
8°C
1°C
96 %
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Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h
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