Bike the Alps sans traffic and sample Swiss cuisine.
Winter sports aficionados loyally travel to Saint Moritz in Switzerland for some of the best skiing the world has to offer. But the scenic hiking, cultural offerings, and first-ever Ride the Alps cycling event taking place this summer make it the ideal time to go.
Here, your guide to the perfect warmer-weather trip.
Where to Stay
A historic property that dates back to 1856, Kulm Hotel offers fabulous views over the St. Moritz Lake and a spa featuring a 65-foot indoor pool with an underwater sound system. Set in the heart of the village, guests have easy access to nearby restaurants and shops.
Or check into Grand Hotel Kronenhof, located four miles from the center of town. This summer, the neo-Baroque hotel is offering guests a day with Thomas Theurillat, a local mountain guide who holds a degree in psychology. As a lifestyle coach, Theurillat believes the mind works best in nature; his work helps people develop strategies for confronting challenges.
What to Do
For the cyclist: Biking through the Swiss Alps is a bucket-list item for many devoted road cyclists and starting May 25, ten mountain passes will close to all automobile traffic. The routes vary in distance and difficulty, from a 7.5-mile course over Flüela Pass outside of Davos to a 56-mile trek from Aigle to Villars-sur-Ollon that’s not faint for the heart.
For the hiker: The mountain valley of Engadin, which is easily accessible from St. Moritz, offers routes for athletes of all abilities where you can see gently rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and glaciers. Don’t miss the panoramic 4.1-mile Muottas Muragl trail, where you’ll trek through pine forests along the Bernina mountain range. Stop in for a break at the quaint Unterer Schafberg restaurant before making the final ascent to Alp Languard for breathtaking views. If you don’t feel like hiking back down, you can ride the chairlift.
For the culture buff: Visit the Segantini Museum, a memorial to the eponymous alpine painter and the Nietzsche House in Sils Maria, where the German philosopher took up summer residence. Today, it holds many artifacts relating to Nietzsche’s time in Sils, as well as contemporary artworks by Gerhard Richter on display through July.
Where to Eat
Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s namesake restaurant offers a seasonal four-course health-focused menu (think lean proteins and plenty of veggies) developed by the in-house nutritionist.
You’ll also want to plan a meal at Le Restaurant, whose romantic dining room hearkens back to the jacket-required dining days. The rotating menu usually includes dishes such as grilled turbot with vegetables and capers.
Photos: Switzerland Tourism