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Guarda is the setting of the popular children’s book Schellen-Ursli, written by Selina Chönz and illustrated by Alois Carigiet. It is one of the most popular children’s books in Switzerland, alongside Heidi.
Overview: Schellen-Ursli Trail in Guarda
| Age Group | All ages |
| Category | Nature, Hike |
| Expected Duration | 1.5-2 hours |
| Cost | Free |
| Address | Guarda |
| Website | https://www.engadin.com/de/touren/schellen-ursli-weg |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Public Transport | Guarda, cumün |
Guarda – Where The Schellen-Ursli Is From
Guarda is an incredibly picturesque village 1,653 meters above sea level. Located on a sunny terrace and surrounded by forests, Guarda commands spectacular views of Lower Engadine.
Guarda comes from the word Warda, which means to guard. And, indeed, the village has a wonderful view overlooking the valley. Guarda certainly fits the name, since this picturesque village appears to be a guard post.
All the homes in the village have the traditional Engadine look, with pretty doors and colorful houses.
The village also has its distinctive wooden fountains and church. A specialized restoration team helped restore most of the homes to their original look. The harmonious look and feel of the houses make the village look so picture-perfect.
Consequently, it received the Wakker prize back in 1975. The houses in Guarda have all been designated as protected architecture.
Schellen-Ursli – The Book By Selina Chönz
Schellen-Ursli by Selina Chönz takes place in Guarda. The book was written in 1945 and has been translated into multiple languages since then. Illustrations in the book are also based on houses around the real village of Guarda. Eventually, this book was translated into English and entitled A Bell for Ursli.
Selina Chönz, the author, worked as a kindergarten teacher. She later moved to House Number 47 in Guarda.
The book tells the tale of Ursli and his anticipation of receiving the biggest bell for Chalandamarz. Ursli, however, received a small bell for the upcoming Chalandamarz and was ridiculed by other children.
Ursli then makes his way through the deep snow to find a bigger bell in their mountain hut. His journey is filled with adventures.
About Chalandamarz – The Tradition
The festival of Chalandamarz is for children in Engadin. School children go through the village with their bells early in the morning on the first of March to wake everyone up.
Traditionally, the biggest bell is given to the oldest child in the village.
They receive money and gifts from each family for their school trip. After this, young boys and girls sing traditional songs. They also recall the cows on the alps and the meadows of the mountains in the songs.
Bell-ringing and singing are meant to mark the end of winter and usher in spring.
Schellen-Ursli Trail in Guarda
Engadin Scuol Zernez‘s residents have created a trail named Schellen-Ursli Weg (Tinkle-bell Ursli Walk) to commemorate Guarda’s most famous young boy Ursli. The themed trail is located in the forest above the village of Guarda. It reopened in the fall of 2016.
The hike takes you from Guarda to Plan dal Növ, Clüs, the lake Lajet, and back to Guarda village.
The Schellen-Ursli Trail lasts around 3.1 kilometers. It involves a 248-meter ascent. This circular trail leads you back to the same starting point. Without stopping, you should finish it in about one and a half hours.
Start of the Schellen-Ursli Trail
Leaflets are available at the beginning of the Schellen-Ursli Trail. There are two versions to choose from – in English and German.
After you start the trail, simply follow the Schellen-Ursli signs.
There is a short, but steep climb at the beginning. Following the first post, where you can play a memory game, there are no steep climbs left on the trail. From now on, the trail will be less challenging.
Schellen-Ursli Trail Posts
- My life – Play a memory game and get to know Ursli’s daily routine.
- The distribution of the cowbells – Choose a cowbell and see if you pick the smallest one or the biggest one. Ursli got the smallest one in the story.
- The Rope Bridge – A short rope bridge to start the adventurous route up the alpine hut to get the cowbell.
- The Snow Field – Now, the adventure begins. You must cross the snow field without falling and reach the alpine hut.
- The Alpine Hut – The Alpine Hut is within reach. You can find a big bell in the alpine hut called the Plumpa. It is a great place to rest. The area has a barbecue and plenty of room to relax.
- The Night – The following part consists of several stations located close to each other. As kids play with the stations, they can recognize animals, animal tracks, and people. It’s mostly downhill from here until you reach Guarda.
- On the way back home – On the way back home, you can stop in the small lake called Lajet. In this tiny pond, you can also stop, rest and eat.
- At home – Finally at home. The last part of the trail is a recreation of the door in the story. You can knock and open the door. After this door, it’s really almost done. Just one more post left.
- The procession of the bells – The last station is a couple of cowbells at the end of the trail. This marks the end of the trail as the children have the Chalandamarz.
Grill and Barbecue Options
For those who want to stop and eat, the best places to do it will be either the Alpine Hut station or the On the way back home station (Lake Lajet). The Alpine Hut station provides more space and a barbecue pit and would be my general recommendation.
Summary: Schellen-Ursli Trail
The Schellen-Ursli Trail in Guarda is a fun activity for kids of all ages. Since it is not a stroller-friendly route, I would recommend it to children who are already fairly adept at walking. It is best to bring a hiking backpack or baby carrier if you have an infant with you.
After you have finished the trail, why not explore the streets of Guarda? At Hotel Meisser, there is also the option to have a meal. Alternatively, you can visit the Schellen-Ursli Museum. It is a tiny museum, but an interesting one. They display artifacts from the past and recreate scenes from the book. Those who grew up with the Schellen-Ursli book will find it nostalgic.
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