Schatzalp

Schatzalp is a sunny terrace at 1,861 m right above Davos Platz, famed by Thomas Mann’s 1924 novel The Magic Mountain. A funicular whisks you up from the Promenade in ~4 minutes.

• Funicular 1899 – first of its kind in Graubünden, 712 m long with 304 m vertical and up to 47.3% gradient.
• Terrace at 1,861 m – about 300 m above Davos with wide views of the valley and the Strela ridge.
• Former Art Nouveau tuberculosis sanatorium, opened 21 Dec 1900, a hotel since 1953; closely tied to The Magic Mountain (1924).
• Alpinum Schatzalp – alpine garden since 1907, around 5,000 species, season May–October.
• Winter sledging run Schatzalp–Davos Platz 2.8 km with 18 bends, illuminated in the evening.

• Panoramic restaurant terraces with views to Parsenn, Jakobshorn and the Davos valley.
• Historic sanatorium façades and public interiors in Art Nouveau style.
• Alpinum footpaths with themed plots and vistas to the Strela range.

Plans to access Schatzalp took shape in the late 19th century: the funicular opened in 1899, covering 712 m with 304 m vertical. On the terrace, architects Otto Pfleghard and Max Haefeli built a sanatorium inaugurated on 21 December 1900.

Literary fame arrived with Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain (1924), inspired by Davos sanatoria and their “sun-cure” regime. In 1953 the building became a hotel, preserving its Belle Époque character and unhurried rhythm.

The funicular underwent a major renewal in 2006, while the historic 1907 Alpinum gained fresh curation and guided tours. Since the late 20th century, the Schatzalp–Platz sledge run has been a family classic again.

Location: Upper station at 1,861 m; valley station of the funicular – Promenade 63, 7270 Davos Platz.

Getting there: From Davos Platz railway station it’s ~5–7 min on foot to Schatzalpbahn on the Promenade; local buses stop at Davos Platz, Schatzalpbahn. Funicular every 15 min by day and every 30 min in the evening; ride ~4 min.

Access: Street-level boarding; limited bike transport, downhill bikes not conveyed. Dogs travel free. Sledge rental at the valley kiosk.

Visiting hours: Year-round by seasonal timetables. Alpinum typically mid-May to mid-October 09:00–18:00.

Visit duration: 1–2 h for the lift and views; 3–4 h with Alpinum or lunch; ~1.5–2 h with a sledge run.

Best time: Summer and early autumn for the Alpinum; winter in daylight for sledging; golden hour for soft terrace light.

Notes: Guide fare example – return adult CHF 20. Alpinum mostly free; Guggerbachtal section CHF 5 (free with Davos Klosters Premium Card). Check current sledging and evening-service status.