BMW xDrive Route

BMW xDRIVE ROUTE
ST. MORITZ.
GRISONS. SWITZERLAND.
Experience unique Driving Pleasure on a fascinating route through one of Europe’s most beautiful regions.
Along the route you can look forward to magnificent views, scenic and cultural highlights and culinary
delights off the well-trodden tourist paths. At the various stopping points, take time to talk to the people
you meet - you’ll be enchanted by their personal stories. BMW ConnectedDrive gives you an entirely
new dimension of Sheer Driving Pleasure: load this BMW Route from BMW Online directly onto
the navigation system of your BMW. You can obtain more information during your trip via the free
BMW Assist information service.
BMW Mountains
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Sheer
Drivingam
Pleasure
Freude
Fahren
GRISONS. SWITZERLAND.
From St. Moritz the route initially runs past Switzerland’s oldest golf course and on to the summer quarters of Friedrich
Nietzsche. Beyond the Julierpass you can look forward to delicious Grisons-style cakes and pastries as well as the
imposing gorges of the Via Mala. After a revitalising mineral bath, the route continues across the Splügenpass into the
Italian wine-growing area of Valtellina. The day is rounded off at one of the region’s best fish restaurants at the smallest
of the four lakes in the Engadin lake district. St. Moritz can be seen in the distance.
Route profile
Country Switzerland
Distance 192 km
Driving time 3 hours
Time required for trip 1 Day
Best travel time May - October
Route character
Road
Landscape
Destinations
athletic
rugged
intellectually stimulating
easy-going
picturesque
tasteful
Gold Engadin St. Moritz.
Samedan
Km 0
Category Golf courses
Golf was played in the Upper Engadin more than 100 years ago.
Dating back to 1893, the Samedan golf course is the oldest in Switzerland and
one of Europe’s first. Its location is outstanding, too: at an altitude of 1,738 metres,
the 18-hole course is set amid an immaculate Alpine landscape. Small lakes and
streams break up the lush green, twinkling between ancient larch trees and rocky
crags. Full concentration is required on the flat, open course when the Maloja
wind blows.
Address
A l’En 14
7503 Samedan
Switzerland
Contact
Tel +41–081–85104 66
www.engadin-golf.ch
Opening hours
Open daily from May - mid-October;
golf office staffed daily 8 am - 6 pm.
Good to know
The Zuoz-Madulain golf course is the second Engadin Golf Club facility and is just
10 kilometres away.
Nietzschehaus.
Sils-Maria
Km 17
Category Places of interest
Of the three lakes that make up the Engadin lake district between St. Moritz and
Maloja, Lake Silvaplana is the central one. It was here that Friedrich Nietzsche hit
upon the idea of the “eternal recurrence of the same”. The philosopher spent many
summers in Sils-Maria between 1881 and 1888. Today the Nietzsche House contains
an exhibition featuring his death mask and a selection of papers. From Silvaplana on
the lake of the same name, the Julierpass runs past the Marmorera reservoir to
Tiefencastel, while the Malojapass heads towards Italy.
Address
7512 Sils-Maria
Switzerland
Contact
Tel +41–081–82653 69
www.nietzschehaus.ch
Opening hours
Mid-June - mid-October and end of December to mid-April: Tues - Sun 3 pm - 6 pm;
closed on Mondays.
Good to know
Admission price adults CHF 8.- / reduced CHF 4.The permanent exhibition is regularly supplemented with talks, readings and temporary
exhibitions of modern art.
Café Casparin.
Savognin
Km 55
Category Food/drink
The Casparin family has been baking Grisons bread and cake specialities at the little
bakery in Savognin ever since 1909. It has long been famous throughout the region
for its Grisons-style nut gateau, Radonser Murmeli chocolates and Grisons-style
Birnbrot (‘pear bread’). These delicious cakes and pastries can be savoured with a
cup of cappuccino at the adjacent cafe. They are also recommended as an exquisite
picnic break with a breathtaking view in the Via Mala.
Address
Stradung 40
7460 Savognin
Switzerland
Contact
Tel +41–081–6841136
www.casparin.ch
Opening hours
Mon - Fri 7.30 am - 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday 7.30 am - 5.30 pm.
Good to know
The speciality here is Grisons-style nut gateau. The shortcrust pastry is filled with
melted sugar, cream and nuts - a coffee-time classic all over Switzerland.
Viamala.
Km 81
Category Landscapes
The Romans set off across the “Evil Way” as they embarked on the dangerous
journey across the Alps. Today it winds its way calmly up to Zillis at first, passing
through the Hinterrhein gorges towards Thusis. As the road gradually climbs higher
it gets extremely narrow in places, making for an exciting ride through an increasingly
craggy landscape. Dark tunnels, narrow bridges crossing dizzying abysses and steep
rock faces on both sides of the route make this a real emotional roller-coaster.
Address
Switzerland
Contact
www.viamala.ch
Good to know
A visit to the Via Mala gorge with its rocky massifs towering up to 300 m high
provides a vivid experience of nature’s unbridled forces and impressive beauty.
Admission price adults CHF 5.- / reduced CHF 3.-
Aquandeer Mineral Baths.
Andeer
Km 88
Category Wellness/Spa
Mineral water from the springs of Andeer has been used to heal the sick and
regenerate exhausted bodies for 700 years. A bath in the water at a temperature
of 34°C loosens strained muscles and is sure to relieve persistent physical tension.
The expansive sauna area comprises a number of different sauna facilities for
revitalising the fatigued traveller. The La Stone therapy is especially soothing.
Hot lava stones and sea marble packed in ice are alternately applied to activate
self-healing powers.
Address
Veia Granda 1
7440 Andeer
Switzerland
Contact
Tel +41–081–6611 878
www.mineralbadandeer.ch
Opening hours
Mineral baths open Mon - Sun 8 am - 9 pm; sauna opens Mon - Sun 11 am - 9 pm;
ladies’ sauna Monday 6 pm - 9 pm.
Good to know
Admission price to mineral baths for 2 hours: Adults CHF 19.- / reduced CHF 9.50.Admission price to mineral baths and sauna for 3 hours: Adults CHF 28.-.
After prior registration with prescription, a medical of team is available to apply a diverse
range of healing methods.
Hotel Alte Herberge Weiss Kreuz.
Splügen
Km 102
Category Food/drink
Hundreds of years ago the radiant white house above the rustic centre of Splügen
was a refuge for the exhausted “Säumer”. These were pack horse drivers who
transported goods across the perilous paths of the Swiss Alps for trading purposes.
When restoration was undertaken in the year 2000, care was taken to preserve the
ancient masonry and showcase it in contemporary style. Delicious regional dishes
are served in the tastefully decorated halls and the panorama restaurant “Heustall”,
along with local and Italian wines.
Address
Oberdorf 66
7435 Splügen
Schweiz
Contact
Tel +41–081–63091 30
www.weiss-kreuz.ch
Opening hours
Restaurant opens Mon - Sun 11.30 am - 2 pm and 6 pm - 9.30 pm;
closed for three weeks from November - mid-December and after Easter.
Good to know
Hundreds of years ago the radiant white house above the rustic centre of Splügen was a
refuge for the exhausted “Säumer”. These were pack horse drivers who transported goods
across the perilous paths of the Swiss Alps for trading purposes. When restoration was
undertaken in the year 2000, care was taken to preserve the ancient masonry and showcase
it in contemporary style. Delicious regional dishes are served in the tastefully decorated halls
and the panorama restaurant “Heustall”, along with local and Italian wines.
Mamete Prevostini Wine Estate.
Mese
Km 142
Category Wine Estate
Mamete Prevostini cultivates his excellent wines on the sunny slopes of Valtellina,
one of Italy’s most important terraced wine-growing areas. Prevostini wines have a
distinctive taste. Elegant and expressive, they provide an interpretation of the Nebbiolo
and the Valtellina grapes. A decade after starting to produce the wine himself,
the legacy of Mamete’s grandfather is something winegrower Mamete himself also
regards as an oenological project to promote his beloved homeland.
Address
Via Don Primo Lucchinetti 63
23020 Mese
Italy
Contact
Tel +39–0343–415 22
www.mameteprevostini.com
Opening hours
End of May - beginning of October: Mon - Sat 8 am - 12 midday and
1.30 pm - 5.30 pm, closed on Sundays.
Good to know
There is also a small restaurant on the beautiful grounds. At “Crotasc”,
typical Valtellina specialities are served under ancient chestnut trees.
Palazzo Vertemate Franchi.
Prosto di Piuro
Km 147
Category Museums
This elegant mansion stands proudly in Bregaglia Valley. The wealthy merchant family
Vertemate Franchi had the Renaissance masterpiece built in the 16th century. As if by
miracle, the Palazzo was left undamaged when a severe earthquake hit the entire village
in 1618. Magnificent frescoes, elaborately worked stoves and imposing wooden ceilings
exude the stately charm of a bygone age. In fitting style, the villa is surrounded by
gorgeous beds of roses, orchards and a vineyard.
Address
Via del Palazzo Vertemate 35
23020 Prosto di Piuro
Italy
Contact
Tel +39–0343–33442
www.valchiavenna.com
Opening hours
End of March - end of October: Thurs - Tues 10 am - 12 midday
and 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm, closed on Wednesdays; open every day in August.
Good to know
Admission price adults € 6.- / reduced € 4.A guided tour in German is available by prior appointment.
Turm Belverde.
Maloja
Km 178
Category Places of interest
Count Camille de Renesse purchased 140 hectares of land by Lake Sils to turn Maloja
into a resort for the European aristocracy. He opened what is now the Hotel Maloja Palace
with its mighty tower in 1884. But the very same year he filed for bankruptcy. The tower
burned down during First World War. Maloja’s landmark building has since been restored to
its former glory and stands proudly between Engadin and Bregaglia Valley. The panoramic
view of the surrounding mountain scenery with its fascinating glacial mills is quite unique.
Address
7516 Maloja
Switzerland
Contact
Tel +41–(0)81–82431 88
www.engadin.stmoritz.ch
Opening hours
Mid-June - mid-October: Mon - Sun 10 am - 5 pm.
Good to know
So-called glacial mills are formed by the glacier water mixing with sand or gravel and
creating openings in the rock. These in turn produce small but powerful eddies which
gradually wear away the solid stone. There are more than 30 glacial mills in the area
around Maloja - the largest collection in Europe. They are up to 11 m deep and 7 m
wide! In Belvedere Tower there is a permanent exhibition, with temporary exhibitions
organised during the summer months.
Restaurant Murtaröl.
Plaun da Lej
Km 181
Kategorie Food/drink
It doesn’t get fresher than this. Heike and Antonio Walther serve freshly caught seafood
specialities at their restaurant looking out over Lake Sils and the mountains of Upper
Engadin. A passionate fish merchant and restaurateur, Antonio goes to Milan three
times a week. On the market there he buys only the very best fish for his chef’s creations.
Lobsters, oysters and mussels are caught in his own sea and freshwater basins for
à-la-minute preparation. The reward is 13 Gault Millau points.
Address
Hauptstrasse 3
7517 Plaun da Lej
Switzerland
Contact
Tel +41–(0)81–8265350
www.plaundalej.ch
Opening hours
Mon - Sun 12 midday - 10 pm.
Good to know
Antonio Walther is the only Swiss national with a permit for the Milan fish market and the
only Swiss importer of live red king crabs. The Walthers offer fresh fish to take away at
the “Pescheria” alongside the restaurant and at their mobile shop.
General information and important notes.
▪ This BMW Route and its destinations have been researched by BMW.
▪ In order to follow this BMW Route conveniently using your navigation system,
load the BMW Route from BMW Online onto the trip list of your navigation system.
You will find detailed instructions on “Route transfer” online at www.bmw-routes.com
▪ Information on all route destinations can be obtained via the
BMW Assist information service (iDrive operating system, “BMW Services” menu).
▪ The BMW Route has been designed in such a way that it can be covered within the recommended
period of time even when all points of interest are visited. If you do not wish to visit all the recommended points of interest, simply skip individual destinations in the navigation system.
▪ The opening times shown were current at the time of going to press but may have been altered since.
To be on the safe side, therefore, we recommend you enquire about current opening hours and times
for guided tours and events using the BMW Assist information service.
▪ You should make enquiries about prices and reservations for hotels, theatres or popular event
venues by contacting the partner companies in question directly in advance.
▪ As a BMW driver you will be granted special terms on request by some partners on submission
of your BMW Card.
▪ During the winter months we recommend you only embark on a trip with the appropriate winter equipment. Prior to starting out on the trip, you should also find out about winter closure and current road conditions,
especially on mountain pass roads.
▪ Your safety is very important to us. No matter how beautiful the route, please drive carefully and adhere
to traffic regulations as applicable, especially when travelling abroad.