NESS CORNBOROUGH
MY TOP FIVE
Ness Cornborough reveals her favourite places for summer fun in the Swiss Alps
1. Klosters and Davos region
The combined tourist region of Davos and Klosters has it all. Davos – Europe’s highest town at 1,560m, contrasting with the more traditional Walser farming village of Klosters – hosts varied sporting, cultural and musical events. Despite this, the whole region has a very uncrowded feel about it in summer, being located in the largest Swiss eastern canton of Graubünden.
All the major ski lifts run in the summer season at discounted rates with a guest card. There are over 700km of well-marked hiking routes for all levels that open up the romantic floral valleys and high alpine scenery – some require lifts, others start from the valley floor. Davos is also a mecca for mountain biking, and boasts the longest single Swiss track, Alps Epic Trail Davos, which has beer gardens en route.
Switzerland’s quintessentially scenic train journeys are especially beautiful – nearby is the historical UNESCO world heritage railway line with parts of the Glacier and Bernina express routes.
2. Swiss National Park
In the lower Engadine is Switzerland’s only National Park. Its founder’s aim, over 100 years ago, was to leave a piece of mountain landscape to develop entirely naturally. It is 172km2 and has the highest protection level afforded. The alpine forests and flowers are stunning, and you can spot bearded vultures, golden eagles, chamois, stags and marmots. There are 80km of walking trails within the park and I find it a very peaceful area to visit.
3. Lower Engadine
Also in the Engadine region you’ll find charming authentic villages of typical architecture with their colourfully decorated ‘sgrafitto’ houses, where Romansch, the fourth language of Switzerland, is spoken. The pristine village of Guarda is a delight to stay in, situated up on a sunny terrace with stunning vistas, and is a good base to explore from. Walking from here can be as easy or strenuous as you wish, to and beyond the nearby villages of Ardez and Lavin. Further on is the attractive spa town of Scuol, with its hot and cold thermal baths. The ski lift runs in the summer for high-alpine access.
4. Lake Maggiore and Lugano
With lush mountains rising up from the water, the scenery and views around the Swiss lakes are never disappointing. To the south of Switzerland, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, are the lakes of Maggiore and Lugano. Here, I can get a flavour of Italy and a warm climate, but with Swiss standards. At the northern end of Lake Maggiore, bustling Locarno and quaint Ascona have beautiful lake settings, but the higher up above them you stay the more impressive the views are. These towns are vibrant with much going on in summer, and there are good free transport systems with a guest card. Hiking and bike trails, water sports and lake cruises are in abundance.
5. St Moritz
Not for its glitzy designer shops, but for its alpine landscape: hills draped in lush meadows, mighty glaciers, and towering snow-capped peaks over sparkling lakes. St Moritz has it all, with lift access included with the accommodation guest card. The scenic lakes with their charming villages are good for wind-driven water sports, while there are some fabulous hiking trails in the forests and high-alpine areas.
My favourite ‘go to’ walk is at the top of the Bernina pass, only accessible by train from St Moritz. The journey is stunning, passing the Morteratsch glacier. At the top you reach Ospizio Bernina by the Lago Bianco (White Lake), which gets its milky white colour from the silt in the glacial meltwater. The waters from this lake divide, with one way flowing down to the Adriatic and the other to the Black sea. Walking around the lake and over to Alp Grüm is
delightful, with panoramic views all around.
The largest Swiss eastern canton of Graubünden is home to some spectacular scenery
Ness Factfile
Ness made her first turns… in 1974, having pestered her parents to let her join a school trip by coach to a tiny resort in central France. Despite only having tuition from the accompanying school teachers she took to it like a duck to water.
She became a Leader in... 1997 and has never missed a year since, until the pandemic struck.
Her favourite skiing is… in powder, of course! And cat-skiing.
Her favourite après spot is… Trofana Alm, Ischgl.
Her tipple of choice is… hot chocolate with amaretto and cream.
Her top tip is… always try to have fun!
