«Via Engiadina» – A family history of the Altana Hotel

Adrian Lehmann, a native of the Engadin, is the owner of the Hotel Altana, which was built by his family 30 years ago. He took over the hotel in 2016, having previously worked as a chef and attended a hotel management school in Lucerne. He had done several language courses and spent four years in Thailand, where he also met his wife, who now runs the business together with him. In 2006, Adrian's father, Edwin Lehmann, provided the initial impetus for the development of the Via Engiadina by creating route descriptions and working with local tourism to produce booking documents. This work was later continued by Martina Hänzi, who made sure that a package deal was created for the long-distance hike as well as co-operations with hotels throughout the valley. 

The original Via Engiadina was opened in 1994, but Adrian's father put it online shortly after it was edited by the then local tourism organisation Engadin Scuol Tourismus AG (ESTAG). Following a suggestion from a guest who asked why there was no long-distance hike, his father happily created the entire documentation and added cultural sights, as he was also enthusiastic about hiking, nature and culture. 

The conditions for the Via Engiadina have changed over time. After the opening of the Vereina tunnel in 1999, the number of guests increased significantly. Between 2000 and 2006, guests from all over Switzerland were able to benefit from free travel to and from Scuol until the prices were no longer affordable. In 2006, the switch was made to the Engadin Scuol Mobil guest card – now the Guest Card Plus – in which around six hotels co-operated. Guests were thus able to use all offers free of charge on five out of seven days, which formed a good basis for the «Via Engiadina» hiking package. 

The original «Via Engiadina» was designed as a star-shaped programme, with hikes from Scuol to Zernez to Lavin/Guarda with overnight stays in Scuol. There were dynamics and changes in the programme, such as a change in Ardez and the integration of rest days for local cultural activities such as a visit to museums, a guided tour of the village or a visit to the Bogn Engiadina. The route of the Via Engiadina has been extended, even in winter, and also attracts international guests from travel organisations such as «Wikingerreisen». Demand for the Via Engiadina has increased over time, partly due to improved communication via the internet.

The Via Engiadina still helps to promote the culture and history of the region today by emphasising cultural sights along the route. The diversity of culture and architecture in the Engadin is emphasised by the Via Engiadina, which makes the region unique. The link between culture and the region is strengthened by the Via Engiadina, as it unites two cultures and two languages with different literature and music over 120 kilometres. 

Nature has a significant influence on the Via Engiadina, especially in the Lower Engadine, where the flora and fauna is very rich and varied. The Val Tuoi in Guarda is particularly well known for this and even has its own flora book. Whether guests on the Via Engiadina notice this nature depends on whether they open their eyes to it. Via Engiadina guests are often more sensitive to nature and its beauty. They are nature-orientated and appreciate the combination of culture and nature along the way. The history of Guarda, such as that of the Schellen-Ursli, fascinates many, as do the cultural aspects along the route, as Edwin Lehmann explained. 

The personal significance of the Via Engiadina for Edwin Lehmann lies above all in the unique stretch from Vinadi to Tschlin, which is both challenging and fascinating. The variety of nature and culture along the way, such as the Engadin houses and sgraffiti, make the long-distance hike unique. In his opinion, the Via Engiadina Sommer is still a unique combination of culture, nature and historical paths through the terraced villages of the Engadin. 

The introduction of the Via Engiadina Winter was an initiative of local tourism due to the success of the summer season and the increasing demand for winter hikes. Thanks to the good work of the Scuol mountain railways, which also prepared hiking trails in winter, interest grew and the Via Engiadina Winter became increasingly popular. The long-distance winter hike offers a unique opportunity for hiking, as there are only a few regions where the distance for a winter hike makes sense, says Adrian Lehmann. In addition to the snow, however, long-distance hiking in winter requires more preparation in order to avoid avalanche hazards and to utilise shortened routes. Nevertheless, the culture, tranquillity and landscape remain intact, with the Lower Engadin and its buildings offering a special atmosphere. 

For Adrian Lehmann, the Via Engiadina is special because it offers him the opportunity to enjoy nature and be outdoors. The different seasons he experiences while hiking, as well as the connection to the culture and tranquillity of the region, are fascinating and special for him. Although he grew up in the Engadin, he still finds the architecture of the typical Engadin houses special, especially because of the architecture of past centuries and the special interplay of stone and wood. 

The Via Engiadina sensitises people to the intact nature of the region, and guests often return to the hotel to rave about their encounters with nature. Adrian Lehmann also emphasises the importance of nature conservation and the balance between the use of natural resources and their protection.