Parc Ela Trek Stage 11: Preda - F. Gualdauna - Chamanna d'Es-cha

From Preda, the path leads to the crystal-clear Lai da Palpuogna, in the midst of a larch forest. Along the young Albula, at the edge of the Crap Alv/Ervedi natural forest reserve, we hike up to Alp Weissenstein. ETH Zurich, which has owned the alp since 1967, conducts research here on alpine farming. Until the Albula Tunnel opened (1903), the alp served as a shelter. Right on the hiking trail, the Albula springs from a porous dolomite rock (rauhwacke). The view falls on the Igls Plans plain, where peat was extracted around 1860, until the former lakebed was drained in 1944 by Polish internees and turned into meadowland. In the turquoise “Lais digl Crap Alv,” the freshwater holes are clearly visible, providing a constant supply. Up to the Albula pass height, we follow an old trail. Over alpine pastures, we hike to Punt Granda and up to Fuorcla Gualdauna, with a magnificent view of the Bernina massif. At 2500 m, we continue easily to Chamona d'Es-cha.