At the eastern foot of the Albula Pass, which is warmed by the sun more than 300 days a year, lies La Punt Chamues-ch, 1700 metres above sea level. The 700 inhabitants are proud of their beautiful village; to the left and right of the river Inn, Engadine farmhouses and patrician houses from the 16th and 17th centuries line up against modern, architecturally significant buildings, and in the middle of it, the slender white tower of the early Gothic church rises up. Far away from the hustle and bustle of tourism, guests will find everything here that makes a good holiday.
Location
La Punt Chamues-ch is situated in the valley floor of the Upper Engadine. A bridge over the Inn connects the two districts of La Punt and Chamues-ch. Upstream lies the valley incision of Pontresina with the Bernina massif on the left and the world-famous ski resort of St. Moritz on the right.
How to get here
By train
The Rhaetian Railway station is located in La Punt. The trains run hourly in both directions. The journey from Chur via Landquart, Klosters and Zernez takes 2 to 2.5 hours, from St. Moritz about 30 minutes. The train stops only on request at this small, picturesque station.
By bus
There are also regional buses to and from Samedan, St. Moritz and Zernez. The Engadin bus serves several stops in both parts.
By car
La Punt can be reached from Zurich in 2.5 hours. In summer over the scenic Albula Pass, in winter often over the Julier Pass or - as long as open - the Flüela Pass. During the winter season it's the Veraina tunnel, which ensures the connection between Klosters and Sagliains, by transporting cars on a special train.
Restaurants and hotels
In La Punt Chamues-ch guests sleep - if not in one of the lovingly furnished holiday apartments - in the modern renovated hotel Gasthaus Krone directly on the Inn, in the small four-star hotel B&B Chesa Staila with its natural wood rooms or in the simple but charming Chesin Zuppo accommodation. A special experience awaits those guests who dare to go higher - in the mountain guesthouse Albula Hospiz at 2135 m a.s.l. the view over untouched nature is enchanting.
Culinary
For those who like Swiss and Mediterranean cuisine, La Punt Chamues-ch offers several possibilities to indulge in well-rated houses. In the surrounding villages, restaurants offer their guests international cuisine - from cosy and small to luxurious.
Schools
Children living here can attend kindergarten, primary school and high school in their own village. At school, Puter, the local dialect of Romansh, is spoken. From the 4th year in primary school, children learn German; in high school French, English and Italian are offered as foreign languages.
Shopping
The Volg covers the daily needs, in a sausage factory, a bakery and an organic farm shop local people and guests like to buy specialities. A petrol station, a sports shop, a pedicure salon and a hairdressing salon round off the shopping possibilities.
Sports and leasure activities
Summer
Nestled between rugged rock faces of high peaks and fragrant mountain pine forests, La Punt Chamues-ch is the ideal starting point for varied cycle tours, fast rides on inline skates, leisurely rides and walks, for example on the Engadine High Trail. The sports ground with football field and basketball court, as well as the skating park with obstacles of the school is available free of charge to everyone.
Families don't have to travel far for an exciting Sunday programme: In the village you will find secluded playgrounds and fireplaces by the water. And at the very back of Val Chamuera, at the entrance to which La Punt Chamues-ch is situated, Alp Serlas awaits you with unspoilt nature.
Winter
The nearest ski area is Zuoz, but the St. Moritz areas are just around the corner and only 30 minutes by bus from La Punt Chamues-ch. Other exciting winter sports are available in the immediate vicinity. Particularly popular: the 3 kilometre long toboggan run on the Albula Pass. Every Thursday night in February, the track is romantically lit and a shuttle takes sledge lovers with their gliding coasters up to the pass. The natural ice rink near the school building can be used free of charge for ice skating, and a curling area is also available.
Sightseeing
It is not surprising that the community offers guided tours through the two districts, as the eye comes to its feast at every corner. The centrepiece of La Punt Chamues-ch is the early Gothic church of San Andrea, a Gothic mountain pilgrimage church with a Romanesque portal. The door knockers show sgraffito motifs, the nave and choir bear frescoes by Bernhard von Puschlav from 1505. But the Reformed Baroque church in La Punt, built in 1680, is also worth a visit.
Typical Engadine houses such as Chesa Merleda from the 17th century and Haus Feldscher from 1594 have survived fires, natural disasters and modern construction activity and make their inhabitants proud. Those interested in architecture will also be delighted by many other sights, such as the Albertini houses, the Chesa Pirani restaurant, the kindergarten designed by architects Ernst Schmid and Robert Obrist or the Chesa Lony, the oldest residential building still inhabited in La Punt Chamues-ch.
