Over the Winterlücke to the Jöriseen – Hiking in the Veraina Region

The Jöriseen circuit trail from Wägerhus in the Flüela Valley is one of the most popular hikes in the Davos/Klosters region – and rightly so, as I can confirm after our hike in early August. However, the Jöriseen is just one of many highlights in the impressive mountain landscape of the Silvretta. In this post, I’ll show you how to enjoy a varied hiking weekend in this area.

A Hiking Weekend in the Vereina Area

This year, we spent our annual family hiking weekend at the Berghaus Vereina. This beautifully located mountain lodge in the valley of the same name is an ideal starting point for numerous dreamlike hikes. Aside from the route around the Jöriseen, most of the hikes lead along quiet mountain trails into the remote high valleys of the Silvretta. It’s an ideal base to flexibly adjust the “hiking program” to individual needs.

Over the Winterlücke to the Jöriseen

While some of the family took advantage of the shuttle service from Klosters Platz on the day of arrival, the rest of us enjoyed the glorious summer day and decided to hike from the Flüela Pass over the Winterlücke to Berghaus Vereina. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally catch a glimpse of the Jöriseen.

We took the Rhätische Bahn from Landquart to Davos Dorf and then switched to PostAuto line No. 331 towards Susch. About 15 minutes later, we arrived at the starting point: the Abzweigung Wägerhus/Jöriseen stop. Here, the Jöriseen circuit trail (SchweizMobil route number 788) starts, leading around the lake landscape in about 4.5 hours (11 km / 950 m uphill). One advantage of the circuit is that you don’t need to decide which side to approach the Jöriseen from.

We had to make a choice, though, and opted for the route via Winterlücke. On this side, we passed other small “lakes” and caught a glimpse of the (sadly) dwindling remnants of the Jöri Glacier. In the 1960s, it was still about one kilometer long. Both the Jöriseen and the smaller, newer lakes are fed by the meltwater of the Jöri Glacier.

The ascent progresses quickly. The incline is easy to walk, the mountain trail is well-marked, and we only pass small remnants of snowfields at the very top. By now, those have likely melted entirely. The descent to the Jöriseen is an absolute delight! We picked a perfect day. The view of the turquoise shimmering lake landscape is fascinating from every angle. The best view, in my opinion, is from the western side (towards Jöriflüelafurgga). If, like us, you’re doing a point-to-point hike towards Berghaus Vereina, you’ll need to add a 45-minute detour (included in the following hiking map). But trust me, you won’t regret it!

Afterward, we followed the Jöri stream down through the long Jöri Valley until Berghaus Vereina appeared before us. Now, it was time for the social part of this family weekend.

Key Details of the Hike: Wägerhus – Winterlücke – Jöriseen – Berghaus Vereina

Starting Point	PostAuto stop Wägerhus/Abzw. Jöriseen (2,215 m a.s.l.)
Accessibility	Start accessible by public transport / destination accessible by Vereina bus (shuttle bus, reservation required)
Distance	12.2 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 805 m ↘ 1,076 m
Duration	4:45 h
Destination	Berghaus Vereina (1,943 m a.s.l.)
Refreshment Stop	Berghaus Vereina

From Berghaus Vereina to the Vereinapass

I slept wonderfully in the cozy double room with nostalgic red and white checkered bedding and woke up early the next morning. We wanted to take advantage of the cool morning hours – after all, another hot summer day was in store. The hiking possibilities around Berghaus Vereina are incredibly varied. After some discussion, we decided on a two-part program.

One half embarked on an easy circular hike from Berghaus Vereina into the Süsser Valley, further to the Süserseeli, and back via Frömd to Berghaus Vereina (3.3 km / 160 m ascent / approx. 1.5 hours). This hike is also manageable with small children.

The other half – myself included – took on the ascent to the Vereinapass. The tunnel of the same name is familiar to many, but what does the pass itself look like? We wanted to find out on this hike. The hike to Vereinapass also leads into the Süsser Valley. Instead of a quick detour to the Süserseeli, we hiked through the high valley, where horse herds can be seen in summer, to its end and then followed the mountain trail further toward Fless Pass. The ascent to the Fless Pass is steep but mostly easy to walk. Only the top third has a few slightly more technical and exposed sections.

We then followed the trail further uphill through increasingly barren terrain until a nameless mountain lake appeared in front of us, behind which the Piz Linard rose like a pyramid. What a magnificent backdrop. If you continue along the trail, you will reach the Lower Engadine via Val Sagliains.

However, we turned back here and made a detour to the mountain lakes at Fless Pass. Unlike the Jöriseen, there’s no busy hiking traffic here – not a soul in sight. There’s also the option to continue along the trail, hiking through Val Torta towards Susch or via Jörifless Pass back to the Jöriseen.

After a refreshing foot bath, we finally turned back and made an additional loop over the Süserseeli. Then, it was back to Berghaus Vereina, where we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing.

Key Details of the Hike: Berghaus Vereina – Pass da Fless – Vereinapass (return)

Starting Point	Berghaus Vereina (1,943 m a.s.l.)
Accessibility	Start and end accessible by Vereina bus (shuttle bus, reservation required)
Distance	13 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 780 m ↘ 780 m
Duration	4:30 h
Destination	Berghaus Vereina (1,943 m a.s.l.)
Refreshment Stop	Berghaus Vereina

From Berghaus Vereina through the Vereina Valley to Klosters

On the third day, we considered various route options. Among them were the sporty mountain hike over the Pischahorn or another pass crossing into the Lower Engadine via Furka Zadrell to Lavin. In the end, we opted for a more relaxed “cool down” through the wild, romantic Vereina Valley to Monbiel and on to Klosters Platz. A last look back at Berghaus Vereina, where we were so warmly welcomed for the past two days, and then we set off.

The first three kilometers to the Stutzegg level lead through varied terrain, whose flora, fauna, and trail surface reminded me of the hiking paths in Ticino. Along the way, you cross gushing mountain streams and pass hidden mountain lakes – beautiful! After that, there’s a steep descent to Novai (hiking poles can be helpful here). Once completed, you reach the popular walking and hiking trail from Klosters Platz along the Landquart to Alp Garfiun.

There can be a bit more activity here on weekends. From Monbiel, you can modify the length of the hike as you wish. We had initially planned to take the PostAuto from Monbiel, but as the timing didn’t work out, we decided to walk the remaining stretch to Klosters Platz on foot.

Key Details of the Hike: Berghaus Vereina to Klosters Platz

Starting Point	Berghaus Vereina (1,943 m a.s.l.)
Accessibility	Starting point accessible by Vereina bus (shuttle bus, reservation required), endpoint accessible by public transport
Distance	12.6 kilometers
Elevation	↗ 133 m ↘ 878 m
Duration	3:30 h
Destination	Klosters Platz train station (1,190 m a.s.l.)
Refreshment Stop	Restaurant Alp Garfiun (at “Novai”)

Practical Tips for Your Hikes to the Jöriseen and Around Berghaus Vereina

• All hikes mentioned in this post are mostly on red-white-red marked mountain trails (T2/T3). From Berghaus Vereina, there’s also a yellow-marked trail to Novai (and from there to Klosters Platz). This trail runs along the road used by the shuttle bus and bikers.
• Due to the altitude, hiking in the Vereina area is recommended from mid-July to early/mid-October.
• At Berghaus Vereina, there are double and family rooms as well as mattresses in the dormitory. An overnight stay in a double room including half-board costs 98 CHF/person. Hut sleeping bags are not required in the double rooms. The bathroom is on the floor, and there are two showers in the main building. Note that only cash payment is possible. More information can be found here: Berghaus Vereina
• The shuttle bus connection between Klosters and Berghaus Vereina (and return) is offered five times a day and requires a telephone reservation. GA/Halbtax are not valid.
• On the Berghaus Vereina website, you can find additional regional hiking tips.