The Swiss National Park and other nature parks
The Swiss National Park in the Engadin is unique. It is complemented by nature parks that highlight other aspects of the Swiss landscape.
Graubünden: Diversity beyond the National Park
Graubünden is not only home to Switzerland’s only national park, but also rich in other protected areas. Particularly noteworthy are the Biosfera Val Müstair, which borders directly on the National Park, and Parc Ela, the largest nature park in Switzerland. Both showcase the region’s diversity – from wild mountain valleys to gentle pastures and Romansh villages. They complement the Swiss National Park and make Graubünden one of the leading regions for nature conservation and sustainable tourism.
The Swiss National Park in Zernez
Founded in 1914, the Swiss National Park is the oldest national park in the Alps. It is located in the Engadin near Zernez in the canton of Graubünden and covers around 170 square kilometers. The area is strictly protected, and visitors are only allowed on marked hiking trails. Precisely because of this, it offers a unique opportunity to observe how nature develops without human interference. Ibexes, deer, and marmots are characteristic inhabitants, along with alpine plants that grow only at high altitudes. The modern visitor center in Zernez provides an up-to-date map of the Swiss National Park and information about hikes and the park’s founding history.
Holidays in Switzerland’s national and nature parks
Those planning a holiday in the Swiss National Park will find suitable hotels and holiday apartments in Zernez, Scuol or S-chanf. Other nature parks also offer accommodations that combine relaxation with closeness to nature. Guided excursions with rangers, themed trails and children’s programmes complete the offering. Thanks to well-developed rail and postbus connections, many national parks can be reached without a car.
If you’re travelling to the Swiss National Park or one of the nature parks, the American Express Platinum Card ensures maximum comfort. You benefit from extensive travel insurance, attractive rental car privileges and exclusive hotel benefits via Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection. These include daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available and a hotel credit. This way, you can combine nature experiences with extra comfort and peace of mind.
Hiking experiences in the Engadin
The Engadin is considered one of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes. The Swiss National Park offers more than 80 kilometers of marked hiking trails. Especially popular is the Val Trupchun, often referred to as the “animal arena of the Alps.” Here, visitors can observe deer during the rutting season or ibexes on the rocky slopes. Beyond the park, other hiking areas in the Engadin invite visitors to enjoy extended tours, making holidays in this region especially varied.
Other nature parks in Switzerland
In addition to the official National Park, there are numerous other protected nature parks in Switzerland. The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch near Lucerne features moorlands and karst landscapes. The Gantrisch Nature Park near Bern combines mountain forests with alpine meadows and offers panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. In Western Switzerland, Parc Jura vaudois showcases wide pastures and old dry-stone walls. These parks are not national parks in the strict sense, but they enhance the diversity and make the concept of Swiss national parks more tangible.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Switzerland has only one official national park: the Swiss National Park in the Engadin near Zernez. It is complemented by more than a dozen regional nature parks and biospheres that are also protected.
The largest and only national park is the Swiss National Park in Graubünden. It covers around 170 square kilometers and is also the oldest national park in the Alps.
Typical species include ibexes, chamois, deer and marmots. Snow hares, bearded vultures and numerous alpine bird species also live here. The deer rut in autumn is especially impressive.
An area is considered a national park when it is placed under strict protection and nature is allowed to develop without human interference. The Swiss National Park has met these criteria since its founding in 1914 – hunting, farming and forestry have been prohibited ever since.
