アンデアーの峠・トップ20

simple pass crossing

Scenically, this is a true gem of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. However, the Julier Pass is very busy. Therefore, it's advisable to take the alternative route from Tiefencastel via Mon and Salouf to Cunter for the first section. This road has very little traffic, is excellently paved (standard paved), offers excellent climbing with magnificent views, and, most importantly, avoids the rather unpleasant Crap Sers Tunnel on the main route when approaching. There's also an additional 150 meters of elevation gain, which is rewarded with a refreshing downhill section before Cunter.

The Spluga pass (Splügenpass in German, Pass dal Spleia or Pass dal Splegia in Romansh and Cunus Aureus in Latin - 2,117 m a.s.l.) is one of the most important passes in the Alpine arc, known since ancient times for its easy transit: the modern arterial road that crosses it was built between 1821 and 1823, while the Roman-era via Spluga was built at the end of the 1st century BC; in its vicinity is the farthest point in Italy from the sea as the crow flies, equal to about 240 km.

The border between Switzerland and Italy. Very nice view of the surrounding Alps

Mountain pass at 2,486 meters between the Safiental and the Rheinwald. Old ruins from the time of World War II still stand at the pass today. These served as a blocking point at the pass.

For many centuries the Spluga pass saw the incessant transit, at any time of the year, of wayfarers, beasts of burden, carts and carriages. Shortly after the construction of the Spluga road (1823), for safety purposes during the winter, the important avalanche tunnel was built south of the toll booth. Today it represents one of the last testimonies of the massive road works undertaken in the 19th century to cope with the dangers of winter. Finds from the Bronze and Iron Ages indicate that the Spluga pass was already covered in prehistoric times. The name "spluga" is quite common in Valchiavenna and indicates a mountain resort; derives from “spelu(n)ca”, i.e. spelonca, cave. As proof, near the town of Montespluga, there really is a cave that people call "truna de l'urs" (cave, bear's den). In the past, the Spluga pass was called monte or passo dell'Orso.

In the small town of Montespluga, where, despite being 1900 meters above sea level, we feel the first breath of Italy and the South, the only hospice and the only church (the chapel of San Francesco d'Assisi, replaced in 1825 from a new construction) of the locality were located until 1841 at Passo dello Spluga. Today Montespluga, thanks to its accommodation facilities and restaurants, is, both in summer and in winter, a small and welcoming tourist resort with an unmistakable atmosphere.

Known since ancient times because it allowed a peaceful transit, the current Spluga was built in the 1820s. It was climbed for the first time in 1965 by the Giro d'Italia and Vittorio Adorni was the first to pass up here.