Margunet (nature trail in the Swiss National Park)

One of the best-known and most popular hiking routes in the Swiss National Park. It became famous mainly because a total of 26 bearded vultures were released into the wild near the route in the Val da Stabelchod between 1991 and 2007. In a good 3 hours, the hike provides an interesting cross-section of the Ofen Pass forests and the flower-rich alpine meadows. The nature trail provides a wealth of information in 5 languages.

Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Swiss National Park, not even on a lead. Further information on this and all the protection regulations can be found at nationalpark.ch/protection-regulations

The route starts at the post bus stop Stabelchod (P8) (1886 m a.s.l.) on the Ofenpass road. The trail leads away from the road, upwards into a uniform mountain pine forest that was last radically cleared about 150 years ago. Passing several clearings, the trail reaches Alp Stabelchod. The former alpine hut serves as a base for the park rangers and is not accessible to visitors.From the alp, the route zigzags up through the God da Margunet. Further up, the path flattens out and fantastic views open up to the Murteras da Stabelchod above the timberline on the opposite side, where we can often spot chamois or deer. The trail continues to the Val da Stabelchod rest area. From the rest area, the gradient increases again and the trail leads in a long zigzag past mats of edelweiss and gentian up to Margunet (2328 m a.s.l.), where an impressive panorama awaits. After the highest point at the signpost, the trail turns north and finally turns west into the Val dal Botsch, rapidly losing altitude until crossing the Ova da Val dal Botsch. Here the trail branches off towards Fuorcla Val dal Botsch and Val Mingèr (see route «Fuorcla Val dal Botsch»). The trail continues over huge scree cones to the Val dal Botsch rest area and into a beautiful mountain pine forest with dense ground vegetation. At the former car park 7 (1876 m a.s.l.) the trail reaches the Ofenpass road (no post bus stop!) and crosses the road to head west towards Il Fuorn. From here it is also possible to take a short walk back to the starting point at Stabelchod (P8). The hike can thus be completed as a circular walk.The last section to Il Fuorn is worthwhile, however, as the final hike beckons along the rushing Ova dal Fuorn, through a humid mixed forest of pines, spruces, larches and stone pines - a striking contrast to the dry mountain pine forest hiked through so far. Vis-à-vis the forest fire area of 1951, the trail reaches the edge of the Ofenberg estate and thus the destination at the Il Fuorn post bus stop (P6) (1794 m a.s.l.) and the Hotel Parc Naziunal Il Fuorn.