Graubünden — The storyteller of the ViaSpluga

ViaSpluga is a historic transit route once used by the Romans to cross the Alps. The approximately 68-kilometer hiking trail leads from Thusis via Zillis, Andeer, Splügen and the Splügen Pass to Chiavenna in Italy. You can do it well in four daily stages, with Andeer, Splügen and Isola being the stage destination.With the storyteller ViaSpluga, Erwin Dirnberger, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in bygone times and to experience the trail in a very unique way. He knows the ViaSpluga and its more than 2,000-year history like no other and brings it closer to you in scenic performances along the way.From the starting point in Thusis you walk south and pass the breathtaking Viamala, through which the fast-flowing Hinterrhein flows. In some places, the cliffs of the bizarre gorge are up to 300 meters high. Via Andeer you continue to Splügen, which enchants with its well-preserved village center. Here you will experience history, enjoyment and hospitality, for example in the Hotel Bodenhaus, which since 1722 welcomes travelers along ViaSpluga.From Splügen you ascend on spectacular serpentines to the highest point of the hike and the border with Italy. The 2,113 meter high Splügen Pass connects the Alpennord with the southern side of the Alps. An old stone path from Roman times just before the pass shows you the millennia-old history of ViaSpluga. And maybe you'll meet the storyteller Erwin with his grocer. The hucksters used to have a wooden rucksack as they wandered from valley to valley, selling buttons, soaps, and other goods to the peasants and villagers.After leaving the pass behind you dive into picturesque Lombardy. Here you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Val San Giacomo and the Cardinello Gorge. From here, the trail leads practically only downhill to the finish of the tour to Chiavenna.

On this scenic mountain trail you hike through the Val Bregaglia, one of the most secluded valleys in Switzerland. On old paths it goes through bright mixed forests and massive granite slabs. You always have the powerful backdrop of the impressive mountain peaks on the other side of the valley in view.Let's start the varied hike in Maloja. From here you hike gently downhill. Past historic ruins such as the church ruins of S. Gaudenzio and the impressive dam of the Albigna Reservoir, you will reach the vast mixed forests.On the sunny southern flank of the valley you follow the path upwards and finally reach a beautiful mountain trail. Here you have the opportunity to take a leisurely break in the middle of the middle of the middle of the middle of the Durbegia. You can enjoy the beguiling panorama on the opposite, massive Granitzacken.Continue towards Soglio over granite slabs paving the way, bridging over watercourses or descending stairs. Soon you will see the roofs of the charming village. Here in Soglio, the destination of the hike, you can spend the night in the historic hotel palazzo and taste exquisite chestnut specialties.

On the circular walk from Obergmeind over the Glaspass you get an exciting insight into the unique landscape, which was shaped both by nature and by human hands. On countless information boards you can find out more about the history of the landslides on the Heinzenberg on the way, illuminating the topic in all its facets. Your constant companion on this beautiful hike is the magnificent view of the Piz Beverin and the Safiental.Let's start the circular hike in Obergmeind. From here you walk in the direction of Glaspass along the huge landslide area. Over the Glaspass, which was once the most important connection from the Safiental to the Domleschg, you ascend to the Glaser ridge. From the easy-to-reach summit you can enjoy beautiful views that can be enjoyed from a cozy bench. After a short break you descend towards Obergmeind. On the way back to the starting point, you pass the former Lüschersee, which was drained in 1910.

The eleven-kilometer hike takes you from the Oberalppass to Tomasee, the source of the Rhine, and back. On the way you will enjoy the magnificent mountain panorama and beautiful flowers such as meadowfoam, gentian, alpine roses, daisies and white cotton grass along the way.The hike starts at the Oberalppass, which you can easily reach by train. From here you walk south. At first it goes slightly downhill, then begins a long climb, which leads you to Maighelshütte. Here you can take a break and fortify yourself with home-baked cake or hearty meals.With new strength you hike then on a mountain trail on to Tomasee, which lies at 2,345 meters altitude. Here you have reached the highest point of the hike and the source of the Rhine, which covers 1,320 kilometers from here to its mouth in the North Sea. The Rhine is still so narrow at this point that you can cross it with one step. After enjoying the dreamy mountain lake and the reflections in the water, you mostly hike downhill to the Oberalp Pass.

The Val d'Uina offers the ideal habitat for over 20 native orchid species. On a guided hike through the valley you can let Ernst Schlumpf show you the most beautiful places where the plants grow best and drive the most magnificent flowers.The hike starts in Sur En at the Postbus stop. From here Ernst Schlumpf takes you into the wild valley and explains everything about the magical orchids. The guided hikes take place from mid-June to mid-August on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can sign up until the day before at the guest info Scuol.

From Tarasp you can take part in a guided hike to Alp Laisch. Through wildly romantic forests you hike up to the alp, where happy dairy cows graze and you can enjoy a magnificent view. The Senn will show you how delicious milk cheese is made from the milk in his dairy. Of course you can also taste the finished product in the end. You also get a general insight into the duties of a senna.After you have absorbed all the impressions and enjoyed your time on the Alp Laisch in peace, you wander comfortably back to the valley to Tarasp.You can book the tour by phone on +41 (0) 81 861 88 00.

In Obersaxen, you can not only hike wonderfully, but also observe the native wild animals. On a guided hike, the hunter Ludwig Tschudor takes you to Mundaun, where he wanders with you through the mountains and forests to observe deer, chamois, marmots and eagles. On the way he tells you interesting things about the Bündner Jagd.After the short hike you can let the events of the day by a campfire in the midst of the wonderful natural landscape and taste a small, grilled snack. Strengthened it then goes back to the starting point in Obersaxen.You can sign up for the tour until the day before at 16 o'clock at the Surselva Tourismus Info Obersaxen, phone +41 (0) 81 933 22 22.

The promising theme trail is especially suitable for families. The just over six kilometers are easy to do and exciting info points await you on the way. You will learn more about life on the alp, such as where the cows graze, what happens to the milk on the alp and why the cows carry bells.The hike starts at the gondola station Somtgant. Right at the beginning you will pass the Alp Somtgant, where you can take a break for the first time and strengthen yourself with homemade cakes on the sun terrace. The kids can let off steam in the playground.Afterwards you continue on wide, comfortable paths past the various information points. On the way you will always enjoy a magnificent view of green mountain meadows, wildly romantic wooded slopes and rugged peaks in the distance. After you've gone slightly uphill for the first two kilometers, you'll hike gently down the rest of the way. Through beautiful meadows and small streams it goes to Radons, the destination of the hike.