A Bell for Ursil!

by Living Our Best Lives

Kilometres Walked : 18

Flights Climbed : 97

Wednesday 14th June 2023

Not really having much of a plan in mind today we set off to find the Shellenursli trail and Heidi’s Flower trail which started at the base of the ski slopes. The tale of Shellenursi (A Bell for Ursli) remains one of the most popular children’s stories in Switzerland. And although it is set in Guardia in the Lower Engadin, the custom it describes is known throughout the region: every year during the traditional ‘Chalandamarz’ children ring the large cow bells to drive away the winter. The trail has numerous timber carvings and tells the story along the way. It was very well done and the chainsaw work was fabulous. The Heidi trail is also to do with a famous children’s book, you guessed it- Heidi! I have a vague memory of this book as a child but it is also one of the best selling children’s book in Switzerland and the hut from the TV series adaptation is along the track. By the way, we didn’t see Heidi!

Jason & Ursil
Lovely views along the way
Just having a break
Goats Milk anyone?
Just someone’s amazing chalet along the way.
The timber art was so well done.
Fields of wildflowers.

After having some fun with timber carvings on the trails we noticed a few different signs and headed off in the direction of Alp Suvretta. We thought we would just walk for a little while and then turn around and return. Well you know what we are like! Ooh that looks nice up there, let’s check it out and oh how about we just go to the next corner! And what a fabulous and picture postcard walk it turned out to be. We made it to Alp Suvretta and decided to go further but not as far as Pass Suvretta. Wow, the scenery before us was just breathtaking. We had to keep stopping to just take it all in and enjoy the natural splendour. The huge mountain peaks looked like something out of Lord of the Rings and delicate wild flowers dotted the earth around us. Alan the Marmot turned up, oh hang on it may have been Steve? They are just like the youtube video, we were having a good giggle watching them today.

We decided to investigate further.
Just waiting for a Billy Goat to show up.
Up we go.
These were so tiny but so vibrant.
Is that Middle Earth?
No it’s just me.
So pretty.
On top of the world.
Soaking up the natural splendour.
So bright.
Heading back down on another track.
Looking back up the valley.
Surely a deer will show itself.
More flowers.

The unplanned walks always end being the best walks. Once again the photos can not show what the scenery is like right in front of you. It’s just completely jaw dropping. I’m not sure how else to describe the raw beauty of the place. This is Switzerland!