The Biosfera Val Müstair nature reserve is a little world of its own on the far side of the Ofen Pass. With its lush green meadows, golden larch forests and well-kept villages, it provides an exciting contrast to the untamed nature of the nearby National Park.

Hospitality is important to the Lamprechts. It is therefore hardly surprising that so many guests return regularly to spend their annual holidays on the organic farm. These guests, who are often family friends or consist of multiple generations, find they have more than enough space for a relaxed holiday in the generously sized holiday apartment, with its 6 rooms, 12 beds, living area and kitchen. The farm overlooks Sta. Maria and is the most significant medieval farmstead settlement in Val Müstair. Rico and Vreni rented the farm in 2003, before buying it in 2009, starting a gentle restoration project. The farm’s actual name is Pütschai; Josom means “the very bottom” in Romansh.

The Lamprechts and their organic farm are only one of over 20 farms in Graubünden involved in agritourism. From fully equipped holiday apartments to yurts or a barrel big enough to sleep in, there is something to suit every taste.

More information

In the sunny Val Müstair mountain valley, 80% of farmers work organically. This includes the Lamprechts, who run an Alpine farm with a total of 20 cows. They specialise in their own salsiz, a traditional, air-dried sausage. Treating nature carefully and sustainably is one of the hallmarks of this area, which is a Regional Nature Park of national significance known as Biosfera. Together with the Swiss National Park and parts of the municipality of Scuol, it forms the first UNESCO high Alpine biosphere reserve in Switzerland.

The Lamprecht family runs two farms simultaneously: At Pütschai Josom everything revolves around the guests. This is where the large holiday apartment and show barn is located. Craistas, a little more than a kilometre away as the crow flies, is home to Vreni and Rico’s son Reto, along with his wife Carmen and their five children. At Craistas, the primary focus is on alpine farming. Interested guests are welcome to help out here, for example by working in the barn or on the meadows.

Those who enjoy all things local and authentic will find just what they’re looking for in autumnal Val Müstair. They valley is home to a cooperatively run mill, cheese dairy and butchery business, where the farmers take their products for processing – resulting in traditional bread, hearty Alpine cheese and delicious salsiz, a smoked sausage. And for anyone who needs exercise after such a great feast: 250 kilometres of hiking trails and 150 kilometres ofmountain biking trails will let you discover almost every golden corner of the biosphere.