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Switzerland has four official languages, one of which is spoken
Guarda is locatedin what I consider the most beautiful canton of Switzerland, the Grisons(Graubünden)at 1600 meters of above sea level. Of themore than 200 inhabitants, 62.5% speak Romansh. It’s one of those little Swiss towns that stood still in time, inspiring Celina Chönz to write the children’s book”SchellenUrsli” in 1945.
And ever since we read “A bell for Ursli,” we have been curious to get to know the small town described in the book and experience Ursli’s search for a giant bell. The locals recreated some parts of the story in a sensational thematic trail for children.
Since my first visit, I have had the impression that Guarda has given us a bucolic and untouched view of Switzerland that has stopped in time, and it is no coincidence that in 1975 it received the Wakker Award as the most preserved townin the country, being considered a true national treasure.
How to get there
By car
It is 2h30 from Zurich, and on the way you will have to take the Vereina Tunnel(cartrain crosses two valleys and connectsthe Chur andthe Engadin regions). In the summer, the trains runs every 30 minutes andcosts CHF 34one-way.
In the town, there are two parking lots: Parkhaus Guarda, Chasa Fuschina address, and Parking Chantun Sura, Chantun Sura address.
By train
The train ride from Zurich takes 2:50hours. The Guarda stop is on request so be sure to press the button in time. There is a bus connection, but the hours are very limited.
What to do:
1- Walk through the townand let yourself be enchanted by the architecture, landscape, food and language.
2- House number 51 – Don’t forget to pass by and take a picture of the house number 51, it is a painted house like the others in the village, but in the book it represents the house of Ursli’s parents.
3- Museum – Located in front of the hotel Meissner, offers information about various scenes from the book. The museum is very small but you will find the first version of the book written in 1945. You will feel as if you were living at that time, with the artifacts and utensils of a time that has long passed, which make us realize how easy our lives are today. Attached to the museum is a café, open daily from 10am to
4- Trail – The new trail was renovatedin 2017 and, unlike the previous one, the route has only 8 interactive stationsand three picnic areas, distributed over 3.1 kilometers, taking about1h30, and an altitude difference of 248m. Unfortunately, it is not suitablefor baby strollers.The trail starts directly in the town, towards the Plan dal Növ, Clüs to Lajet. Returning to Guarda, follow the postswith Ursli’s photo and you will discover his adventures and do the trail without problems.
hiking map
picture from oficial site
here you open and the a guide
follow this signs
For those who have read the book:some stations will remind you of parts of the bookand others will offerinteractive activities about history and attractions of the region.
- First station is a memory game where you get to know Ursli’s daily routine. The next stationdescribes thefamous handing outof bells and because he does not get a big bell, he takes bold risks in the Alps in search of another(big)bell.
- You will follow his adventures and cross a wooden bridge on the way to the alpine hut in search of a giant bell. Ursli had to wade through a snowy field because the hut
wasright on top of the mountain. (Youwon’t have to wade through anything or walk up steep hills or hear howling wolves.)
- And, finally, you Will make it to the hut up in the Alps…
picnic
- Continuing on the trail inthe woods on the way back to Guarda, you will walk byseveral wooden totempoleswith storyplotand find a small lake the”Lajet”surrounded by lush greenery where you can rest a little before continuing down the trail.
- At last you will arriveat the destination,Ursli’s home, which is the last stop.
Vista do caminho de volta a cidade 
Vista da Trilha
For thoseof youwho haven’t yet read the book, I recommend readingit before making the trail, so you’ll feel like you’re part of Ursli’s wonderful storysearchingfor the giant bell.
Enjoy the trail!
Rita
