Davos is one of the most diverse regions in Switzerland for excursions and hikes. In this article you will find 12 unforgettable trips in the region that are easily and quickly accessible.
Text and pictures Marc Gottwald
Top tips in the region of Davos Switzerland
I always enjoy returning to Davos Switzerland. The region has so many beautiful excursions and hikes to offer that it never gets boring. In this article I would like to present the most beautiful pearls for day trips, half-day trips and hikes around the Davos region. Have fun!
1). Davos Sertig and the Waterfall
„Davos Sertig“ is a small Walser village above Davos and can be reached by post bus or car in a short time. In summer, the bus leaves every half hour. It is not only very idyllic in the Sertig valley, but has something for everyone. How about, for example, a leisurely walk to the three-tiered waterfall and then, as a reward, a scooter ride from Davos Sertig back to Davos?
For gourmet lovers, there are various restaurants that cook traditional Graubünden dishes with love. Hikers will also get their money’s worth. Several paradisiacal hikes in the Grisons Alps start from Sertig Dörfli. How about a hike to the breathtaking „Lais-da-Ravais-ch“ lakes, for example?
2). „Davos Monstein“ – Walser village right above Davos Switzerland
Davos Monstein is a second Walser village directly above Davos and is also very easy to reach by post bus. It leaves every hour from Davos.
Monstein is a very idyllic place and is especially known for its beer. The Monstein brewery is the highest in Europe. By the way: If you are looking for great local gifts, you will find them in the village shop of Davos Monstein. It is furnished with great attention to detail.
Hiking enthusiasts will also find great routes here. The hike to the next Walser settlement, Oberalp, where a restaurant awaits you, is particularly recommended. You can reach it in about an hour from Monstein.
3). Weissfluh
A classic excursion destination from Davos is the Weissfluh, which of course cannot be missed on excursions from Davos. The best way to reach the Graubünden mountain is by cable car. The view of the Swiss Alps is phenomenal, but hiking opportunities are often limited due to the snow.
I would recommend the Weissfluhjoch especially if you want to take it easy. If you stay overnight in Davos, you can get on the mountain for as little as CHF 10 per person with the Davos Card.
4). From Davos Switzerland to Arosa
The hike from Davos Switzerland to Arosa is something like the royal stage among hikes. Because the hike over the Strelapass takes around six hours and 19 kilometres. A second variant would be via the Altsteiner Fürggli, whereby the hike takes one hour less. But the ascent is much more strenuous. For the hike over the Strelapass, you can take the funicular to Davos Schatzalp. This way you avoid strenuous metres in altitude.
5). Silvretta glacier (our favorite glacier near Davos Switzerland)
A pure adventure is the hike to the Silvretta Glacier. To save about two hours of hiking time each way you can take a taxi from Davos Klosters to Alp Sardasca. And then you’re off. From Alp Sardasca it takes about three hours to hike 700 metres in altitude via the Silvretta Hut SAC to the Silvretta Glacier. On the hike you not only see many alpine roses in early summer. Every now and then a marmot comes out to say hello.
This is one of the most fantastic hikes near Davos Switzerland. Those who want to go on the glacier should only do so with a mountain guide, as it is otherwise too dangerous.
6). Schmitten and Landwasser Viaduct
More romance is hardly possible. Because Schmitten is a traditional Graubünden mountain village above the Albula Valley and stands out with its beauty. Reachable in just 25 minutes from Davos, it is a perfect half-day excursion. Especially for great picture-taking, Schmitten is best photographed a little further away, so that the church and the mountains in the background adorn the photo.
Between early summer and autumn, a hike can be made from Schmitten to the Landwasser Viaduct. The Landwasser Viaduct is one of the most famous railway bridges in Switzerland and is 65 metres high. Hence, when the train comes out of the tunnel and crosses the bridge, it is a pure spectacle. The walk from Schmitten to the viewpoint takes just over an hour.
This hike is unfortunately not possible in winter due to the snow. But another option, which incidentally also exists in summer, is to drive to the Landwasser Viaduct car park. From there, the north viewing platform can be reached in 20-25 minutes.
7). Chamanna da Grialetsch & the royal blue mountain lakes
From Davos, the post bus takes you to the mountain village of Dürrboden. Here you start the 1.5-hour hike towards Chamanna da Grialetsch, an SAC hut in the Grisons Alps.
In July, you come across many alpine roses on the hike, which add colour to the otherwise somewhat barren valley. But barren does not mean that it is not beautiful. On the contrary! The dreamlike hike leads past royal blue mountain lakes to the SAC hut. There, an incredible view of the Vadret da Grialetsch glacier awaits you. If you have travelled by public transport, you can continue to the Flüela Pass, where the post bus will take you back to Davos Switzerland.
On this hike it is important to know that the lakes are frozen and snow-covered for a very long time. Therefore, the tip is to call the SAC hut first. From mid-July, the region should generally be free of snow.
8). Lake Jöriseen (the most beautiful lakes near Davos Switzerland)
My favourite excursion destination from Davos Switzerland are the Jöriseen Lakes. I have to be open and honest about that. This lake hike fascinates me so firmly every time that I have to return again and again.
You can either take the Postbus from Davos to the bus stop Wägerhus/Jöriseen in about 25 minutes. Or you can take the car and park in the limited number of parking spaces. The round hike takes about 5 hours and requires good shoes and plenty to drink.
The first 1h 30 minutes is about 500 metres in altitude towards Jöriflüelafurgga. Already here you can encounter a first very idyllic lake. Since the hiking trail does not go directly past the lake, you are practically alone. From Jöriflüelafurgga you then have one of the most beautiful views in the Swiss mountains and in the region around Davos. The view over the Jöriseen plateau with its three differently coloured lakes is breathtaking.
It then takes another 30 minutes to reach the Jöriseen lakes. Enjoying lunch at one of the lakes is an absolute dream. If you want, you can even swim in the lake. But yes, the water is very cold.
After enjoying the Jöriseen, the route climbs another 300 metres in altitude towards the Winterlücke, before starting the descent back to the bus stop. The last part, which takes around 2 hours, immerses you in a fascinating alpine world where you feel like you’ve landed on the moon. The Jöriseen are a top excursion destination from Davos.
9). Lake District Radönt
You don’t only encounter the Jöriseen Lakes near the Flüela Pass, but also the Radönt lake plateau. Moreover, the first of the lakes can be reached in around 40 minutes. There you are immersed in a dream world surrounded by mountains and glacier ice. Further up, the remains of the Vadret Radönt glacier are visible. As the region is covered in snow for a long time, I recommend planning the trip from the end of June at the earliest.
10). Schlappin and a visit to the restaurant
The mountain village of Schlappin can be reached in around 30 minutes from Davos. An absolute dream village in the Grisons Alps. With the lake reservoir, the wooden houses and the imposing mountain world, Schlappin has everything you need for decelerating moments.
We especially recommend a visit to Berghaus Erika, where we ate a delicious ratatouille rösti. They cook almost exclusively with regional products.
To drive on the private road to Schlappin, you have to buy a driving permit for CHF 10. This can be bought directly at Berghaus Erika. There is a second possibility, however, and that is to travel via the Madrisa cable car from Davos Klosters. If you stay in Davos you can use the Davos card and only pay 10CHF for the cable car. From Madrisa it takes about 1.5 hours to get to Schlappin. From there I recommend hiking back to Davos Klosters via Schlappintobel. The path leads through wild and romantic landscapes with many orchids in the meadows.
11). Clunerseen Lakes and Fideris Heuberge Mountains
The Clunerseen lakes are the insider tip par excellence among day trips from Davos. This excursion destination captivates with fantastic panoramic views and a species-rich alpine flora that is becoming increasingly rare in Switzerland. The easiest way to get to the Fideriser Heuberge is by car, which takes about 45 minutes from Davos.
Even the approach on the narrow road is adventurous. Every metre you go up, the view gets better. A free car park awaits you at the Fideriser Heuberge. From there you can start the walk to the Clunerseen lakes, which you reach in only half an hour.
At the Clunerseen it looks like another world. The meadows, the lakes and the slopes: everything is green! You could call the region a dream in green. An excursion that I can highly recommend as an insider tip from Davos Switzerland. Lunch at the Fideriser Heuberge restaurant is also very tasty. By the way, you can extend your hike in the area as much as you like. How about a circular hike to the Mattjisch Horn, for example?
Those who prefer to take it easy can also combine the excursion with St.Antönien and Lake Partnun.
12). St.Antönien & Lake Partnun
St.Antönien and the Lake Partnunsee are another highlight among the excursions from Davos. St. Antönien can be reached in 40 minutes from Davos and lies opposite the Fideriser Heuberge.
The village is definitely worth a first stop. Not only can great pictures be taken here, but you can also eat in one of the restaurants. For the breathtaking Partnunsee, however, continue to one of the car parks where the hike starts.
If you want to drive almost all the way to Lake Partnun, you have to buy a special driving permit in St.Antönien. But the approximately two-hour hike (there and back) is as well very worthwhile. Furthermore, it is also possible to take the alpine bus directly to Partnun Alpenröseli, although a reservation is required. This is worthwhile because afterwards you could hire a scooter back to St.Antönien – a pure mountain adventure.
Conclusion Davos Switzerland
Davos is one of the most diverse regions in Switzerland and therefore very popular for excursions and hikes. There are almost no limits and everyone gets their money’s worth. That’s why you can say, in keeping with the slogan of Davos Tourism: „Uf und Davos“.
