Sledding track: Preda/Bergün

Have you ever crossed the Albulapass in Graubünden by the popular panoramic trains the Bernina or the Glacier Express?  Drove across the pass by car and stopped to admire the beauty of its landscape?

If not, I strongly encourage you to take the trip; the rail road has been added to the Unesco World Heritage List and crosses viaducts and tunnels in a breathtaking landscape. A car drive is equally recommended as it lets you stop at designated areas and stay awhile, taking in the sights.

One can also bike and hike across the pass, obviously.  But I would like to tell you about yet another way to experience natural beauty of the pass.  In the wintertime, when the snow covers the landscape and the road closes for cars, the best way to explore the valley is to sled down the about 6-kilometer long track. 

The sled track is located between the train station of Preda and the town of Bergün and takes you on a very winding route on the snow-covered road. It is a popular thing to do and attracts crowds, especially on weekends, and is, in my opinion, one of the best and most scenic sledding tracks I have ever been to.  A real treat for both adults and children. 

The fun starts already on the train.  Yes, unlike other sledding tracks where a cable car takes you up on the mountain, this track is accessible by the famous red train of the Rhaetian Railway(RhB)train which takes you on a legendary route over viaducts and tunnels from Bergün to Preda, crisscrossing the valley four times.

You get off the train in Preda at 1800 meters above sea level, rent a sled, and walk about 500 meters on the Albula pass road to reach the starting point.  The whole descent lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your speed.  

About midway down, there is a nice castle, inaugurated in mid-December 2019, where you can taste delicious fondue (reservations advised).  Or just stop to snap a photo or two.

The Preda-Bergün track is about6 km long.  You can add the Darlux-Bergün track for a more guaranteed adventure; besides being faster, the curves are narrower and the road steeper, adding 4.5 km of adrenaline to your day. At the end of the track, just before entering Bergün, you can take the chair lift(Sessellift) that brings you up to the Darlux track.  (You will need a combined ticket for the whole day.) We didn’t want additional adrenaline to our day because despite the sun, the temperature was 10 degrees below zero.  Although we were adequately bundled up, we felt(me and Nico) quite cold.  We stopped for lunch between the runs.  There are a few restaurants to choose from spread out throughout the beautiful town.

How to get there:

 By car:

There is parking available at the train station in Bergün or in front of the Darlux Sesselliftstation – follow Hauptstrasse 

Public transportation:

From Zurich, the train ride takes 2:40hours, and you will need to transfer at Chur. Click here to get the exact connection for you. 

During winter, when the sledding track is open, extra trains operate between Bergün and Preda to bring you to the track every 30 minutes.  

Tickets and opening hours

Adults: A Day Ticket costs CHF 39, with Halbtax CHF28, with a GA CHF19.
 Single ticket CHF 14, with Halbtax CHF 9.50, with GA CHF 6

Children: Ticket for the day CHF 19.50, with Juniorkarte CHF 9.50 Simple ticket CHF 7, with Juniorkarte CHF 3  

You can buy tickets at any train station; the best is to buy a combo ticket which includes the train and the sledding.(Otherwise,you will have to purchase a ticket for the track - honor system.)
The track runs daily from December 20, 2019,to March 15, 2020
Mondays from 09:30 to 17:00
Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:00 to 23:00

Useful information:

• You can rent the sled sat the Preda train station and return it in Bergün or online;
• If you intend to make several runs and have something to eat in between, do ask for a bike lock at the rental place(included in the rental price), each sled has a bar code which registers the sled to your person(viaID or SwissPass) and you are responsible for returning the same sled;
• Plastic sleds(bobsleds) with a braking mechanism are forbidden;
• There is a bathroom at the Preda station;
• The trains between Bergün and Preda can get crowded with people and the sleds;
• Dogs are not allowed on the track;
• The track is lit at night, but it’s good to have a head lamp for those darker sections;
• Always use a(ski)helmet for your safety, some sections can become quite icy and more slippery and dangerous;
• Wear suitable, warm clothing.

I hope you enjoyed the tip, and if you’re going to hit this track, come back here and tell me! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. 

https://www.schlitteln-berguen.ch/

With affection

Rita