Chamanna Cluozza
A short hut tour from Zernez to the only SAC hut inside the Swiss National Park, straight through the larch and arolla pine forests of the Val Cluozza.
The only hut inside the National Park
The Chamanna Cluozza (1882 m) sits deep in the Val Cluozza, a side valley of the Swiss National Park, hemmed in by larches and arolla pines and closed off by the limestone flanks of Piz Quattervals. It is the only serviced hut inside the park, which makes the walk in one of the quietest hut tours in Graubünden: no cars, no grazing cattle, no signal.
From the National Park Centre in Zernez (1471 m) the path climbs steadily through forest, then traverses the steep flanks of the Val Cluozza. The trail is well built but narrow and exposed in the traverse. A good head for heights is useful. After about three and a half hours it reaches the hut at the end of a long grassy ridge, directly above the Ova da Cluozza. 8.5 kilometres, 800 metres of ascent and 400 metres of descent, technically T2+.
Tip: at its finest in October, when the larches turn gold and the chances of spotting deer or ibex are highest. Reservation at the hut is required. For a longer trip, combine the return the next day with the crossing of the Fuorcla Val Sassa (T3) or the Murterchamm back to Zernez.
On my list but not yet walked myself, a personal report will follow.
Hero image: Wandersmaa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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