Swiss National Park - From Pfunds to Brusio

A mountain bike traverse of the Engadin and the area around the Swiss National Park, from the Inn valley in Austria across the passes of Val Müstair and Val Mora to Livigno, over the Bernina and down into the Valposchiavo. The route mixes valley cycle paths with genuine alpine trails, and the character changes noticeably from day three onwards.

Total length: 192kmAccumulated height: 5.130mDuration: 6 days

Elevation profile - 2025-swiss-national-park1.0001.5002.0002.5000 km50 km100 km150 kmunder 5%5-12%12-20%over 20%
Elevation profile

We started in Pfunds in Austria at the beginning of September 2025 and finished in Brusio in the Valposchiavo.

Take a look at this video to get an impression about this trip:

Day Trips

Day 1 - Pfunds to Nauders

Length: 22kmAccumulated height: 780m

A relaxed opening stage to Nauders, although it was already raining. I recommend the route from Altfinstermünz via Martina in Switzerland - the alternative means riding the busy main road to Nauders, including several tunnels.

Altfinstermünz
Altfinstermünz

Day 2 - Nauders to Scuol

Length: 47kmAccumulated height: 800m

We made a short detour to the Reschensee to see the famous church tower standing in the lake, then returned to Nauders and continued via the Norbertshöhe and the Mösle nature pond to Scuol.

City of Scuol
City of Scuol

Day 3 - Scuol to Santa Maria (Val Müstair)

Length: 27kmAccumulated height: 1.220m

This is the first real mountain bike stage of the trip, crossing the Pass da Costainas. There are only a few short sections where you have to push the bike.

Pass da Costainas
Pass da Costainas

Day 4 - Santa Maria (Val Müstair) to Livigno

Length: 42kmAccumulated height: 1.180m

This day was particularly demanding, not least because of a grim forecast that included thunderstorms. The reality turned out worse than predicted, with hail on top of the rain. We were thoroughly frozen by the time we crossed the Passo di Val Mora.

Passo di Alpisella
Passo di Alpisella

Day 5 - Livigno to Bernina Pass

Length: 28kmAccumulated height: 1.130m

Only 28km, but this stage takes a surprising amount of time. I keep making the same mistake of assuming that once you reach the Passo Forcola di Livigno the hard part is over - in fact that is exactly where the most difficult section begins. We ended up pushing the bikes a fair distance.

Passo Forcola di Livigno
Passo Forcola di Livigno

Day 6 - Bernina Pass to Brusio

Length: 26kmAccumulated height: 210m

A genuinely beautiful section, though I had not expected the Bernina Express trail (S2-S3) to be so technical. Depending on your riding level you may have to walk parts of the descent.

Giardino dei Ghiacciai
Giardino dei Ghiacciai

Our Learnings

  • The tour changes character on day three. The first two stages are easy valley riding; from Scuol onwards it is a proper mountain bike tour
  • Distance says little here. The 28km from Livigno to the Bernina Pass took longer than the 47km valley stage to Scuol
  • Check the trail gradings before you go. The descent from the Bernina Pass on the Bernina Express trail is rated S2-S3 and requires pushing if you are not comfortable on technical terrain
  • Take the Altfinstermünz-Martina route out of Pfunds and avoid the main road with its tunnels
  • September weather at this altitude is not to be trusted - we had rain on day one and hail crossing the Passo di Val Mora
  • The Bernina line runs alongside much of the final descent, which makes it easy to shorten a stage or return by train