Fuorcla Val dal Botsch : Die Drei-Täler-Tour

A varied pass hike that connects two regions of the Swiss National Park with different characters. In addition to the species-rich mountain flora, the magnificent view from the top of the pass on the 2677 m high Fuorcla Val dal Botsch, the alluvial fans in the rear Val Plavna, the Hexenkopf and the opportunity to observe deer in the Val Mingèr await nature lovers.

Hint: Dogs are not permitted in the Swiss National Park, not even on a leash. For more information and all protections, see nationalpark.ch/schutzbestimmungen.

• A visit to the Museum Schmelzra with the bear exhibition is very worthwhile. The experience-oriented exhibition gives an insight into the past, the way of life, the biology and the return of the brown bears. It is particularly suitable for children.
• On the adjacent bear adventure trail , 9 interactive stations amaze young and old guests and provide practical tips on how to behave in a bear area.
• Variant tip: It is also advisable to hike from the Fuorcla dal Botsch into the scenic Val Plavna and on to Tarasp .

From the starting point at the National Park Hotel Il Fuorn and the Postbus stop Il Fuorn (P6) (1794 m above sea level.M), the hike leads along the first section of the nature trail (details in the route description «Margunet»).
From the former car park 7 (no Postbus stop!) the route turns away from the Ofenpass road and climbs higher in the dense forest of the Val dal Botsch. Past the rest area Val dal Botsch, which is almost completely covered with debris, and along the rushing Ova da Val dal Botsch, the path continues uphill to a junction (2176 m above sea level.M.).
The path to the east would lead to the Margunet viewpoint, but our route turns north and mutates into the zigzag path, which leads over flower-rich pastures and overcomes 400 meters of altitude in a short time. The higher the path climbs, the more magnificent the view becomes, which extends to the Bernina massif in the south and shows the Ortler and stilfserjoch in the east. Shortly before the Fuorcla, a circular sinkhole can be seen next to the path, a funnel that is formed when the rock is washed out in the underground and the resulting cavities collapse.
Arriving at the pass crossing (2677 m above sea level.M), I also open the view to the north, to the Pisoc chain, the striking tip of the Piz Plavna Dadaint and to the valley floor of the Val Plavna.
The route now leaves the national park and leads through huge debris fields first downhill and then slightly uphill again to the transition of Sur il Foss (2317 m above sea level.M.). From here, the trail plunges into the Val Mingèr and again runs within the National Park. This section is discussed in more detail in the route description «Val Mingèr».
At Pradatsch (1654 m above sea level.M) the route flows into the Val S-charl. It is already possible to board the Postbus to Scuol here. But the route goes even further, in a southeasterly direction, north of the road. Past the Schmelzra, the renovated administrative building of the former S-charl mines and today's Mining and Bear Museum, the path ends at the Postbus stop in the pretty village of S-charl (1810 m above sea level.M.).