Surselva - «above the forest» - Graubunden’s largest Romansch-speaking region. The wild gorge of the Vorderrhein is awe-inspiring - Switzerland’s Grand Canyon. Chur, the oldest town north of the Alps boasts the highest density of restaurants.

The route runs along the main road for a while until the silence begins at Rabius. Sections of hiking trail alternate with forest and alpine roads. Above Trun, you come to the settlement of Caltgadira, where the well-known pilgrimage church of Maria Licht has been a beautiful baroque building since 1683.

Now it's time to gain altitude. Over long stretches on hiking trails, you finally reach the village of Schlans. A Grisons mountain village could hardly be more original. A short walk through the alleyways is definitely worthwhile. The hike to Dardin continues for three kilometers on a paved side road, allowing you to relax and enjoy the mountain scenery. The final ascent to Brigels, again on well-maintained hiking trails, completes the day's hiking.

The mountain village of Schlans on the steep sunny slope is worth a long break.

The family mountain village of Brigels is not only a good place to spend the night, but also well worth a tour of the village.

It is also possible to stay overnight at the start of the stage in Rabius.

The starting point of the first stage is left up to the hiker: directly from the station or by bus to Meiersboden. The signposting to the Schanfigger Höhenweg begins at the St. Hilarienbrüggli. On the way, you pass the hotel management school in Passugg. The building of the former spa hotel is impressive. The Grida-Praden section of the trail is physically demanding, but the reward is wild and romantic passages in the Steinbachtobel. You then pass the village sawmill in Praden. Afterwards you can see the village church from the 17th century. Then you walk partly on the Churer Alpweg (before 1890) past the larch forest to Tschiertschen. In the village centre is the 15th-century church with exposed relics of late Gothic frescoes and a listed Toggenburg organ from 1820. If you still have energy left, visit Füxliweg. A special attraction is also the Tschiertscher Säge (saw), which is still operated by the water power of the Sagenbach stream.

Visit the Güdahof farm shop - with honey from the region, syrup and jams made from seasonal fruit or herbs from the farm garden, Filisurer ice cream and gift articles to complement the carefully compiled range. Bring a piece of your holiday home with you!

Traders, armies, kings and emperors all crossed the Alps via the Septimer route. Its advantages were the convenient location with a direct north-south link and ideal topographical conditions. Finds of lead slingshot on the Septimer bear witness to the fact that the Roman army made early use of the pass. Above all in the High Middle Ages, the Septimerpass was one of the most important trading routes and brought wealth to the Bishop of Chur. Today, one of Switzerland's most diverse cultural and long-distance hiking routes travels over what was once an arduous Alpine crossing. From Chur to Chiavenna in Italy, it gradually traces a chequered history and leads through three different cultural regions. The natural setting is just as varied. There is plenty to discover, the open space of the high plateau in the Surses, the rocky landscape at the head of the Septimerpass and the Mediterranean mountain valleys of Bergell and Valchiavenna.

The Via Sett is accessible from mid-June to mid-October, depending on weather conditions. The 93 km long long-distance hike from Chur (CH) to Chiavenna (IT) can be hiked in 6 or 7 daily stages. The average walking time per day is 4 - 7 hours, and the stages can be simplified by public transport.

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64.01 Chur - Lenzerheide, ViaSett

64.02 Tiefencastel - Savognin, ViaSett

64.03 Savognin - Bivio, ViaSett

64.04 Bivio - Vicosoprano, ViaSett

64.05 Vicosoprano - Chiavenna, ViaSett

64.06 Vicosoprano - Chiavenna (I), ViaSett

Along the mountain road through Praden; Bärenschlucht canyon crossing and on down to Grida-Passugg. Natural pathway from the resort to the Plessurbrücke (bridge). Chur cathedral with two significant Jakob exhibitions and Martinskirchplatz town centre.

This biking tour starts in Chur, a city surrounded by 937 Grisons mountain peaks. There are plenty of things to do and see here in Switzerland's oldest town. Wanting mountain magic or vibrant city life? Chur in the Alps has both. This is a round trip amid magnificent scenery and with gentle climbs and beautiful descents. Leave the pulsating city behind you as you continue along the Plessur towards Meiersboden. This pleasant route goes up to Passugg, where the famous Passugg mineral water has been bubbling out of the Theophil Spring for over 400 years. From Passugg follow the street upwards for a moment. Then turn right and follow the Polenweg to Churwalden. Turn left at the monastery and ride through the Chlosterwald to the Oberhus and then on to Spina. High above the municipality of Malix, the route continues steadily upwards until you get to the Brambrüesch plateau, the location of the mountain station for the Chur mountain railway. Here, several guesthouses offer you the opportunity to recharge your batteries while enjoying outstanding views of the many mountain peaks. The descent takes you through meadows and pastures to the Känzeli, Rosenhügel, Obertor and finally ends in the traffic free Oldtown (or if you prefer a proper trail descent, just follow one of the official freeride trails in the Alpenbikepark Chur). Perfect to finish the tour in one of the many terraces. In early summer this tour is magnificent due to its Alpine flora and fauna.

A view over Chur from the Rosenhügel. Through a cutting, over fields and meadows, to Domat/Ems - built around 7 hills. And along the Senda Sursilvana river to Tamins, where the Vorder and Hinterrhein meet. A visit to Rhäzüns and the famous Kirche Son Gieri with Jakobus display is well recommended.

The Schanfigg region is characterised by the two important towns of Chur and Arosa at the entrance and end of the valley. In between there are small and medium-sized villages that have retained their original character despite the tourist development in Arosa.

5 tips on the Schanfigger Höhenweg:

1. Tschiertschen: This picturesque village was voted the most beautiful mountain village in Graubünden.

2. Arosa: There is much to discover here; the Arosa Bärenland, the Eichhörnliweg (squirrel trail) or loosen up tired hiking legs in the cool waters of the Untersee lido.

3. Sapün and Heimeli mountain inn: The side valley of Sapün is one of the scenic highlights of this long-distance hike. With a bit of luck, you can observe wild animals from the terrace of the mountain inn.

4. Lake Grüensee in Fondei: Lake Grüensee on the Durannapass is too beautiful to simply walk past. Treat yourself to a break.

5. Hochwang: The section between Fondei and Hochwang is perfect as a photo subject: moorland landscapes, flower meadows, sun-baked wooden stables.

The individual Schanfigger stages are between three and six hours long. Since some of the stage locations are served by public transport, there are various options for getting on and off. This allows flexible tour planning to suit your own needs and ambitions.

Route 1: Chur - Tschiertschen

Route 2: Tschiertschen - Arosa

Route 3: Arosa - Sapün

Route 4: Sapün - Fondei

Route 5: Fondei - Hochwang

Route 6: Hochwang - Chur

Enjoy the tour as a multi-day stage hike. Let yourself be spoilt in the rustic "Bergbeizli" or enjoy a picnic in the middle of unique Alpine flora.

Overnight accommodation: in each case at the Etappe location.

Tschiertschen, Arosa, Berggasthaus Heimeli, Berggasthaus Strassberg or Casanna, Hochwanghütte, Chur.

Bahnhof Chur - Tschiertschen - Arosa - Sapün (Heimeli) - Strassberg - Hochwang - Maladers - Chur

- The chairlift Tgantieni, Scalottas and Weisshorn 2nd does not transport downhill bikes (double crown fork)!

- Transport of bikes with a maximum weight of 25 kg: Gondola lifts Chur-Brambrüesch 2nd section.

No less than five cable cars make the ascents on this round tour easier for you. You start with the two chairlifts from Lenzerheide via Tgantieni to Piz Scalottas. Once there, a good 4 km long, partly steep descent to Churwalden awaits you. On the beautiful single trail along the elevation curve you pass the Junehütte - take a moment and enjoy the wide view over the whole valley. After Parpan you pass lush alpine meadows to the Maiensäss settlement Mittelberg - Büel.

The final ride leads to Runcalier, over a short stretch on the Tschiertschen main road and a flowing trail in the Steinbach forest to Chur. Here the mountain railroad takes you via Känzeli up to Brambrüesch. From Brambrüesch you continue to Churwalden. From Churwalden the panoramic cable car Heidbüel brings you back up to 1930 m.a.s.l. After a short transfer on the gravel road a last trail highlight awaits you from the mountain restaurant Spoina to the Heidsee between Lenzerheide and Valbella.

Whole tour: 42 km (5 km chair and gondola ride)

Taking the Tgantieni chairlift, the first step of the tour is comfortably begun. Above lies the alpine path, going to the Tgantieni Mountain Hotel and then further onto the Bergbeizli (small mountain pub) Spoina. The first part runs over well-prepared forest roads with occasional glimpses of Lenzerheide and Heid lake. The gentle descent passes the Valbella hostel and goes through Parpan village back to Churwalden.

A further nature trail brings you to Passugg, which is the source of a famous mineral water. The roaring creek Rabiosa, in Romansch «The Raging», cuts its way through the Passugg gorge. In 1863 this spring was rediscovered, which is known today throughout Switzerland as the mineral springs of Passugg. Next you drop down to Chur and take the gondola back up to Brambrüesch. From here descend again on a tarmac surface to Churwalden, where you take the chairlift Heidbüel.