Bergell

In Switzerland’s south-eastern corner nestled up to the border with northern Italy lies Bergell (Bregaglia), an alpine valley that connects the canton of Graubünden (Grisons) with neighbour Italy. Bergell is a natural beauty of needle-sharp peaks, jagged mountains, pine tree forests and crystal-clear lakes cradled around historic villages teeming with tradition.

Sheer altitudinous beauty frames views at every turn – whether that’s spring and summer hiking the Val Bregaglia through scented pastures and wildflowers, on a historic pathway that can take you from Maloja in the east through Bregalia, overlooked by Piz Cengalo all the way to in Chiavenna in Italy. Come winter, snow blankets the scene, and the ski region of Maloja-Aela opens up – a couple of lifts and several kilometres of runs mean a great day out especially with panoramic views of Bergell and the Upper Engadine lakes. As much as Bergell is a place for adventure, it’s also been a refuge for creatives and artists over time, most notably Alberto Giacometti, who was born here and had a home in the village of Stampa. Some of his pictures of his wife were drawn in the village; today his art can be admired in the Ciäsa Granda Museum in Stampa. The painter Giovanni Segantini moved to Bergell in 1894 with his family, where the clear light enhanced his pointillism as he daubed the mountains of Maloja, Soglio and Engadin. These days, art is revered at festivals that take place over the summer including ARTipasto and the Bregaglia Biennale. Culture runs deep here, engaged in traditions that are still celebrated today in villages such as Maloja, Soglio, Castasegna and Stampa with annual events that show the relevance of customs, costumes, alpine practices, dance and music including seasonal happenings such the sweet chestnut festival, playing homage to the largest chestnut groves in Europe. The Bergell is an idyllic alpine valley that connects Graubünden (Grisons)  with northern Italy - characterized by rugged mountains and mighty peaks, extensive forests and clear alpine lakes, villages steeped in history and historic hiking trails, varied and untouched landscape. The valley inspired many artists with its fantastic panorama and is the birthplace of Alberto Giacometti. Some of his works can be seen in the Ciäsa Granda Museum in Stampa. 

Far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the the Val Bregaglia is a paradise for nature and culture lovers, mountaineers and hikers. A great cross-border hiking trail is the Via Bregaglia: it starts in Maloja in the Alps and ends in Chiavenna under the palm trees.