Val Trupchun

From the S-chanf train station, the Engadin bus departs several times daily to Prasüras. From Prasüras, either follow the Ova da Varusch stream to the left or right until the Punt da Scrigns bridge. There, we decide whether to hike today on the high path or the valley path.

For the high path, cross the stream, enter the Val da Scrigns, gain altitude, and at the National Park information board turn left into Val Trupchun. The wide path ascends gently through a managed mountain forest. After entering the park, chamois can already be observed with binoculars or a telescope on the south-facing slope of Piz d'Esan. Eagles are often soaring there. At Piz d'Esan, a striking geological boundary is visible: the border between the local soil cover with the wine-red radiolarite band and the overlying Quattervals cover with its significantly older dolomite rocks. This border can be followed all the way to the valley end at Fuorcla Trupchun.

A trail to Alp Purcher branches off to the left. However, we continue on the high path. Soon, the view opens to Val Müschauns. In its front part, forest and subalpine meadows form a green funnel-shaped mouth. Further back, the valley appears debris gray. We continue our way into Val Trupchun. At the same altitude as the distinctive triangle of Dschembrina (dschember: Romansh term for larch), it is worthwhile to take a long break and search the opposite slope for hoofed animals. After the highest point, the path descends towards the Ova da Trupchun. The forest becomes sparse.

The first marmots graze on the open areas. We cross the stream on a wooden bridge and reach the valley path. A few steps further, we reach the Val Mela rest area, offering an excellent spot for observing deer and marmots. Occasionally, attentive hikers spot a common European adder. Now we climb over the huge debris delta at the mouth of Val Mela and after a few minutes can settle at our destination, Alp Trupchun. A fountain provides delicious drinking water. In the large basin of Trupchun with its numerous ridges and depressions, deer, ibex, chamois, and marmots can be seen in many places. Around the alpine building, a beautiful alpine meadow with magnificent monkshood stands indicates that agriculture was practiced here until a few decades ago.

For the return, we choose the valley path on the right side of the Ova da Trupchun, pass through the larch and Swiss stone pine forest of Dschembrina, cross the sometimes rushing stream on a removable bridge, and reach the former pig alpine pasture Purcher, where a fountain provides drinking water (may dry up in high summer).

Directly opposite the alpine building, a particularly impressive example of rock folding emerges. Natural rock salt also oozes there. Therefore, ibexes sometimes stand on the rock face and lick the tasty mineral. We cross the Ova da Trupchun again and hike back to our starting point. The Varusch park hut offers refreshment and accommodation for thirsty and hungry hikers.