FACTS
| Project | relocation of the Via Engiadina section |
| customer | municipality of Silvaplana |
| Location | municipality of Silvaplana, Switzerland |
| Period | August – September 2024 |
| project Manager |
The Via Engiadina on the section between St. Moritz and Silvaplana is a very popular route for hikers and mountain bikers in Graubünden. To ensure that it can continue to be used safely in the future, two steep sections of the trail in the municipality of Silvaplana were relocated in 2024. This adjustment not only contributes to better maintenance and longevity of the trail, but also promotes cooperation between all user groups on the route.
BUT WHY WAS THE ROUTE ADJUSTED?
The section of the Via Engiadina between St. Moritz and Silvaplana is part of the Mountain bike Schweizermobil Route 672 Padella Corviglia panoramic tourFor over seven years, the A-Team Switzerland has been maintaining the hiking and mountain bike trails in the area together with the Silvaplana community's maintenance depot. During this time, we have tried to preserve the steep sections of the Via Engiadina as best as possible. However, due to the steep gradient and the associated erosion, the path has become increasingly eroded. The result: wild trail tracks have emerged.
In order to ensure that this section of the Via Engiadina can be maintained in the long term with minimal effort, we have adapted the route so that the surface of the path can be regularly drained. At the same time, the flatter route enables better interaction between the different user groups.
How exactly? The mountain bikers are now a little slower but more controlled on this section of the trail. This makes the hikers feel safer on their way along the Via Engiadina.
MORE SECURITY AND A HARMONIOUS COEXISTENCE
The realignment was initiated to minimize the challenges of maintaining and preserving the trail. In addition, the flatter route reduces the risk of conflicts, so that hikers and cyclists can share the trail harmoniously. The Via Engiadina between St. Moritz and Silvaplana is a living example of coexistence – a model of how different user groups can enjoy their trail together – and this is exactly what we want to promote further.
SPECIAL FOCUS ON NATURE CONSERVATION
The affected section of the path is included in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments (BLN) of Switzerland. For us, this means that when working on site, we have to pay particular attention to dealing with the vegetation. This is common practice in all of our projects, so we have also incorporated our expertise here. Together with everyone involved, we have chosen the route of the path so that it fits perfectly into the landscape and integrates the excavated vegetation into the no longer needed section of the path, as well as greening the embankment of the newly laid path - keyword renaturation. All of our work on this section of the path was carried out by the company Eco Alpin SA within the framework of environmental monitoring.
A FUTURE-PROOF TRAIL FOR EVERYONE
With this realignment, the SwitzerlandMobility route in Silvaplana will be optimized in the long term – for a safe and user-friendly route that meets the needs of all trail users.
You know the problem and are still looking for a sparring partner? Lukas Häusler The ALLEGRA Team Switzerland is there for you – please contact him with your specific question. We also have an expert on our side in the area of coexistence. Kevin exactly the right contact person.
