Hint

Intro

Over the valley slopes to Oberengadin - and Brail with its ornate small church; the Ober and Unterengadin border by «Punt Ota» and old customs house (later to become a parsonage and then school) with inscription: «Veglia chesa da scuola.» Pretty Cinuos-chel village centre by the church.

Description

The sixth stage of the Way of St. James begins in Zernez with its authentic Engadine architecture. Situated at the foot of the Ofen Pass, it is a transport hub connecting the Upper and Lower Engadine and the Val Müstair. Zernez is also the gateway to the Swiss National Park. Covering 170 square kilometres, it is the largest protected area in Switzerland.

A narrow wooden bridge leads over the Inn and out of Zernez. The route continues on an asphalt road between agricultural fields towards the Inn. The trail climbs slowly along the rocky slopes and turns into a gravel road. The views over the Lower Engadine and the river are impressive. Scattered farms lie between the sloping pastures.

A gentle descent leads over the wild Ova da Barlas-ch to Brail. A short time later, you pass the pretty little church of Punt Ota and the bridge of the same name. The Ova da Punt Ota stream forms the natural border between the Lower and Upper Engadine's mountain valleys. The changes this area has experienced are easy to see in the old customs house, which later became the parsonage and then the schoolhouse.

Just before reaching the first buildings of Cinous-chel, pronounced "Zinuosch-tschl", you pass under the railway viaduct that carries the Rhaetian Railway over the Inn. The village, which seems to have fallen out of time, consists of a few buildings built along the roads. The short hike ends at the railway station.

An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Zernez
Destination
S-chanf (Cinous-chel)
Direction
One way
Altitude (meter above sea level)
1600 m
Ascent
340 m
Descent
180 m
Distance
10 km
Duration
2 h 40 min
Duration back
2 h 30 min
Technical requirements
Medium
Physical requirements
Easy
Season
May - October
Theme
Along Water
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Route

Jakobsweg Graubünden

Müstair - Oberalppass
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All stages

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

Stage: 6/19

Distance

10 km

Duration

2 h 40 min

Ascent

340 m

Travel information: Zernez

Current Offers

  • Zernez Via Engiadina, Unterengadin

    Luggage transfer, travel documents, navigation app, SchweizMobil-Plus subscription from CHF 1,149
    Offer details


    valid: 13.06.2026 - 11.10.2026

    Learn more about Via Engiadina, Unterengadin
  • Zernez Geführte Wanderung Macun Seen

    Shuttle transfer from Zernez via Lavin to Alp Zeznina and back. from CHF 80
    Offer details


    valid: 08.07.2026 - 28.10.2026

    Learn more about Geführte Wanderung Macun Seen
  • Zernez Hiking holidays National Park Panorama Trail

    Luggage transfer, travel documents, navigation app, SchweizMobil-Plus subscription from CHF 1,615
    Offer details


    valid: 27.06.2026 - 13.09.2026

    Learn more about Hiking holidays National Park Panorama Trail
  • Zernez Festungsführung Lavin

    On these half-day guided tours of the Ofen Pass and Lavin, you will learn fascinating facts about... from CHF 45
    Offer details


    valid: 10.07.2026 - 02.10.2026

    Learn more about Festungsführung Lavin
  • Zernez Festungsführung Zernez Ova Spin

    On these half-day guided tours of the Ofen Pass and Lavin, you will learn fascinating facts about... from CHF 45
    Offer details


    valid: 03.07.2026 - 09.10.2026

    Learn more about Festungsführung Zernez Ova Spin
  • Zernez Die Kirchenmalereien von Lavin

    The church in Lavin, with its restored paintings dating from 1490 to 1500, is one of Graubünden’s... from CHF 15
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    valid: 23.06.2026 - 13.10.2026

    Learn more about Die Kirchenmalereien von Lavin