We started with a bus ride to the back of a very pretty side valley called the Sertig Valley, from where we walked along the mountain flank and then around the other side into the next valley ending in the village of Davos Monstein, location of Europe's highest altitude brewery. (Its tag line is "The Last Beer Stop before Heaven").
We got delayed two hours by the worst cast of stomach bloating and nausea I have yet experienced but I was determined to wait it out, having traveled 4 hours to get to our starting point. French fries usually do the trick, and luckily there was a charming (yet very expensive) restaurant right at the back of the valley. Or maybe it was the $8 cup of herbal tea. In any case, a short nap in the meadow later and we were ready to go.
End of May is a tricky time to hike at higher altitudes (in this case, 2000m), because the terrain might seem snow-free at first glance, but there are avalanche gullies in shady spots where the snow lingers and it becomes difficult to cross as the snow gets soft, especially across the streams. We wondered why no one else was hiking on the second part of this trail, probably for that reason, as we came across several such snow-covered sections (some with bridges missing) but were lucky to be able to cross them all without having to turn back. The mountain bikers who share the trail could not possibly have crossed here.
It was a great hike, 15 km in 4.5 hours, perfect weather, warm with a light breeze, and as usual panoramic views. The train ride home via Filisur and the Landwasser Viaduct was the "icing on the cake" (for lack of a better cliché) as it is always a treat to travel through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Albula Valley.
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| Heading to Canton Graubünden along the Walensee Lake. |
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| On the four-hour train/bus ride to our destination |
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| Heading up the Sertig Valley by bus. |
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| At the back of the Sertig Valley we have to stop for French Fries and Tea, as I'm not feeling well. |
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| This cup of herbal tea was EXPENSIVE!!! (5.50 Fr.) but I like to think it helped relieve the stomach problems |
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| Finally heading out on our hike after two hours' delay |
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| The little village called Sertig Dörfli (Dörfli = Little Village) |
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| Starting at the back of the valley, our trail northward has very little ascent, which is how I like it. |
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| The bus has the right of way and the car must manoeuver backwards until it finds a place where the bus can pass. |
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| All the scrubby bushes are Alp Roses. Later in the season the hillsides will be all pink. |
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| The first of several avalanche remnants that we had to cross along the trail |
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| Panorama views into the Sertig Valley to our East |
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| At the furthest North section of the hill, a good view down on Davos. |
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| Our 15-km hike started at the back of the Sertig Valley and then around the mountain to Monstein |
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| And now the trail heads South again, on the other side of the hill. |
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| View South into the Landwasser River Valley toward Filisur |
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| This was the most difficult of our crossings, as the bridge was broken and the water was high and fast |
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| First of the spring flowers: delicate crocuses |
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| First of the spring flowers: crocuses, mountain pansies, anemones, gentians, alpine snowbells, and ?? |
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| There's a spot ahead where there is lots of snow on the trail |
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| Ahead there is too much snow on the trail so we detoured through the Alp Rose bushes above the section. |
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| Lots of adventure on this beautiful hike |
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| I was a little worried about this one as the snow is over the stream and we might break through. |
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| No problem crossing this section. |
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| Just above Davos Monstein |
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| Heading into Davos Monstein |
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| Davos Monstein |
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| The highest altitude brewery, Davos Monstein, on the left behind the chapel tower. |
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| Second chapel on the outskirts of the village |
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| Back down in the valley we head home along the Landwasser River to Filisur |
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| The Zügen Gorge through which runs the Landwasser River |
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| Famous Landwasser Viaduct on the UNESCO Albula Line. Always a fun experience |
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| On this stretch we always pass the Sargans Castle, one of my favourites to photograph. |
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