Cliff Trail and Panorama Trail from Weissfluhjoch to Gotschnagrat

Saturday Aug.1st -- On our third and final day in Davos, we did one more hike before heading home, something I had also long wanted to do from studying the maps, but which requires the use of local funiculars and cable cars, which can get expensive unless you have the special guest pass. Since we had spent two nights in a lovely B&B exactly to our taste, we had the benefit of the guest passes for a huge reduction on the local public transit.

Starting on the first run (08:15) of the Parsennbahn funiculars (x2) up to the Weissfluhjoch on the West side of the valley this time, we followed the 3 km "Cliff Trail" South to the Strela Pass, a very favourite of mountain bikers, and we were happy to move out of the way for all of them to enjoy their ride. (This section of the trail was closed for most of 2019 to make the trail safer). Turning to the East and then North again, the additional 10-km trail to Gotschnagrat above Klosters is called the "Panorama Trail" and is a very popular hiking and biking trail at any time, especially now during vacation time. We were aware of this and so took it in stride. Most of the well-laid and fairly level trail is along barren rubbly mountainside until you get to the Parsennhütte (restaurant and cable-way for ski season) where the landcape finally turns green. 

Without any shade along the way, except on the cliff side, and then when the clouds, as usual, covered the sun during the best part of the hike, the heat might have been unbearable except for a cool breeze. But we were glad to get back into the shade of the train for the way home.

Highlight: We discovered real Edelweiss growing wild: The first batch we would not have noticed except for other hikers were photographing there, but the second I spotted on my own, so proud! Even though the area is known to have Edelweiss, the flower is scarce and not easy to find. 

A last goodbye to our lovely B&B before heading out for our third day of adventure in Davos

From the front garden of the B&B we look straight up to the hillside where we are going to walk the panorama Trail

At the mid-station of the Parsennbahn Funicular, all the people are quickly loading themselves and their bikes into the second train.

Before heading out on our hike, we watch the funicular descend from the summit station at Weissfluhjoch.

We hadn't realized that there was an additional cable car going up to the actual summit of Mt. Weissfluh. We could have used our day ticket to quickly ride up there, but hadn't planned for it, and then it would have gotten late. There were thunderstorms predicted for early afternoon.

Looking down at the first section of our hike, the "Cliff Trail" on the shaded side of the mountain.

First of many bikers heading down the trail

Our trail for the day:  From Weissfluhjoch (summit station of the Parsenn Funicular) 3 km along the Cliff Trail to Strela Pass, then another 10 km on a fairly level trail called the "Panorama Trail" to the cable car at Gotschnagrat, to descent to Klosters.

Heading out on the easy trail. Signs warn of falling rocks, and we are not supposed to stop along the way.

Spectacular rock formations. The trail was less exciting than we expected, but they spent most of 2019 fixing it up so it would be safe for bikers

Peak of Mt. Weissfluh in the background

Just before the Strela Pass is the valley that descends to Arosa

This just looked cool

The sign warns bikers that the trail is heavily used by hikers between 9:30 and 15:30. Everyone was very respectful and we didn't mind making way for the bikes.

Personally, I prefer walking these trails. I don't think I would enjoy the concentration required for biking. 

A view South toward the mountains in the Ela Regional Park. In the middle is a peak that fascinated me. In the meantime I found out it is called Mt. Tinzenhorn

A good trail and easy to walk. Too bad we had no sunshine along this section

I discovered some Edelweiss flowers on the hillside next to the trail. They are not so easy to see!

Along the East Flank of the mountain we get a good look at Lake Davos and the place where we had spent two nights at a B&B

The lower train on the Parsenn Funicular line is just heading down to the city again.

A look back as we round the corner on the wide flat trail, and head into a curve toward the middle station of the Parsenn Funicular

Easy to ride, easy to walk.

For now, not too hot yet!

A look back to part of the trail along a second cliff on the East side. To the far left is the summit of Mt. Jakobshorn where we were the day before

At this point we get a really good view down the Dischma Valley, where we were the day before (Mt. Jakobshorn on the right)

The trail crosses under the funicular line

VIDEO:

Funicular descending from Weissfluhjoch 

as we pass beneath the railway line

Top section of the Parsenn Funicular Railway

Stunning panorama view of the Landwasser Valley, with Lake Davos on the left, and the stretched out community of Davos, plus views into the Flüela and Dischma Valleys

And to the North a view into the Valley that stretches from Klosters to the Silvretta Glacier

 

Along the flank of Mt. Totalphorn (= Dead Alp Horn, very appropriate)

Here we rested for a long time in the cool breeze, as it was getting hot now. This was the warmest of the three days we were there. Ahead, after the Parsennhütte, the landscape turns lovely green again.

Close-up of all the people walking on the Panorama Trail

Zoomed view of the Silvretta Glacier to the East

Lovely landscape, looks cool in the hot weather

We have just about reached our destination at the Gotschnagrat cable car. Looking back at the Parsennhütte and the trail we came along Mt. Totalphorn on the left.

A look to the North into the Prättigau Region of Canton Grisons/Graubünden. Storm clouds are gathering. 

Looking down to the city of Klosters from the summit station of the Gotschnabahn cableway

We got to the cable car station just minutes before the next descent, so we decided "Let's go right away". Turned out to be a nice ride, there were only 6 of us in the huge cabin.

The Klosters Gotschnagratbahn aerial cableway

Arriving in Klosters in time for the train out of the valley. 

Another approx. 4-hour, 13-km hike in the Davos area. Would have been better if there was shade along the way to cool off, or if the day had been cooler. But still better than at lower elevations, where there was a heat wave.