Pany – Valpun – Chrüz (2195m) – Pany

It was a beautiful blue-sky week and by Wednesday we were fed up being stuck in the office at work. So we wanted a shorter day hike to leave some to relax by an outdoor pool. This hike up to Chruez close to the Klosters ski area seemed perfect!

The hike starts in the sunny village of Pany – a small part of the village of Luzein. We soon leave behind the tiny, charming village and enjoy crossing green meadows alongside babbling brooks. The fantastic panoramic views of the Rätikon are quickly opening up.

We soon reach the Tüfelstein (devil’s stone). Strange round indentations mark the surface of the stone. These marks apparently represent the devil’s petrified fingerprints. He had taken on a bet which he lost. In a bit of a temper he picked up a rock and threw it, landing where it is found today. And then, he is reputed to stomped off to Austria in a bad mood. Honest. If you would like to know what the bet was about, ask a local…

Anyway, we continue around the mountain of Chruez, slowly gaining height and ever changing views of the Rätikon. Eventually we make a left at the farm at Valpun and follow the signs to Chruez. It gets a little steeper here but the views make it all worthwhile.

The farm of Valpun produces 100,000 litres of milk each summer. A great place to buy some fresh Alpine cheese.

After about a further hour of generally following the broad ridge, we reach the summit of Chruez (2102m).

What a panorama!  A perfect place for a spot of lunch and take in 360° views. Now this is better than being in the office!

Heading down the other side of the mountain the beauty of the hike is not at all over! We still have simply wonderfully lush alpine meadows to wander through with view in the opposite direction.  This hike is really spoiling us!

Finally we return back to Pany, very happy and congratulating ourselves for a day away from the office. Grab the swimming gear from the car and relax at the unique Pany outdoor swimming pool…

…  to continue enjoying the views!