The Surselva is more than a mere mountain valley. The Surselva - meaning «above the forest» – is a world apart, with its own language (Sursilvan), its own history shaped by the Disentis Monastery and the mountain passes, its own breed of men and a natural character shaped by one particular element, one which is continually gaining in value: water. It’s for a good reason that the official source of the Rhine rises at Tomasee near the Oberalppass. The water, collected in dozens of reservoirs is an energy provider. It has also eaten its way through the world’s largest mapped rockslide at Flims. It has created the imposing Ruinaulta Gorge, which can hardly be beaten for ruggedness – particularly when seen from the vantage platform at Conn.

The hike through the Surselva leads through an intact landscape but also arouses culturally historic curiosity, whether with the paintings in the Waltensburg Protestant Church or in the light of the mystifying menhir at Falera.The finale of four very varied hiking days is a tour around the old town quarter of Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town.

Book Package «Senda Sursilvana»  and benefit from the free luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

Further Information in German

Stages:

85.1 Andermatt–Sedrun
85.2 Sedrun–Sumvitg
85.3 Sumvitg–Breil/Brigels
85.4 Breil/Brigels–Laax
85.5 Laax–Chur

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!

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. The stages can be simplified by public transport.

Book Via Sett now at:

Tour Explorer

+41 81 356 22 44

info@tour-explorer.ch 

www.tour-explorer.ch

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

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

www.viafrancisca.ch/wegbeschreibung/

For more explanations on the trail, visit us on www.viafrancisca.ch

www.viafrancisca.ch/wegbeschreibung

There are now two pilgrimage routes between Chur and Disentis, with the Via Francisca running mainly on the southern side of the Rhine, while the Way of St. James Graubünden, called Via SonGiachen, runs on the northern side. However, the two paths are almost identical up to Tamins. So it may happen that the two hikers in front are also pilgrims, but on their way from South Tyrol to Central Switzerland.
Both paths lead from Chur towards the Graubünden Oberland, called Surselva. Initially, we hike along the southern edge of the wide Rhine valley. At Domat/Ems we first cross the tracks of the Rhaetian Railway at the station, then walk between the two hills "Tuma Tschelli" and "Tuma Casti" and then circle the second to the north. This brings us first to the Rhine power plant, and after crossing the Rhine over the weir, the paths then separate to meet again briefly on the main square of Tamins. But only as far as crossing the village square, where we separate again. Now it's down to cross the Vorderrhein on the railway bridge. And so we arrive at Bonaduz.

The stages in this documentation are suggestions that each pilgrim can adapt to his wishes. however, the technical data always concern the assumption that these stages are completed in one day.

Chur - River Plessur - Rose Hill - Lime kiln - Paleu sura - Domat/Ems - Tuma Casté - Power plant - Rhine weir - Tamins - Anterior Rhine - Campagna - Bonaduz

After leaving Maienfeld, we walk through the vineyards of Jenins and Malans. After the village of Malans, we leave the "Graubünden dominion", as this wine-growing region is called.
Afterwards we cross the Landquart, which has left the Prättigau shortly before through a very narrow rock cut. In the upper part of this valley are the well-known ski resorts of Klosters and Davos.
We stay on the eastern side of the Rhine in the relatively wide valley to Trimmis, passing through other, smaller vine-growing areas. The Rhine Valley is now gradually changing direction to the west.
Leaving Trimmis, we then go up again to the valley flank, which brings us shade in the forest and also gives us the opportunity to look at the Rhine Valley from the heights. In doing so, we also bypass the extensive outskirts of Chur, which lie at the bottom of the valley. This takes us through a lot of nature directly to the cathedral of Chur, the capital of the canton of  Graubünden. 

The stages in this documentation are suggestions that each pilgrim can adapt to his wishes. however, the technical data always concern the assumption that these stages are completed in one day.

Maienfeld - Eichholz - Erlenböden - Buochwald - Malans - River Landquart - Marschlins Castle - Igis - Zizers - Molinära - Trimmis - Bach Maschänser Rüfi - Fürstenwald - Waldhaus - Eulengut - Chur Cathedral

Today's stage is impressive, it takes us on the southern flank through the Rhine Gorge, the Swiss version of the "Grand Canyon", popular especially with water sports enthusiasts such as canoeists or rafters. The gorge has very steep flanks on both sides, so that the embarkation usually takes place in Ilanz and the disembarkation at the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein near Reichenau. However, there is still a transport option, because the Rhaetian Railway (narrow gauge) runs on the Chur - Ilanz route through the gorge, with some bridges and tunnels. This route is also used in winter. So whatever the weather has in store for capers, we will definitely come to Ilanz.
Of course, we hope for sunny weather, because then this stage with its breathtaking views is an unforgettable treat. We will ascend at the beginning and enjoy the gorge from above, then we will descend to the Rhine, where we will then meet the Rhaetian Railway and follow it and the Rhine to Ilanz.

The stages in this documentation are suggestions that each pilgrim can adapt to his wishes. however, the technical data always concern the assumption that these stages are completed in one day.

Bonaduz - Caumas - Tschavir - Zault - Puz da Mattauns - Versam - Hübschera - Carnifels - Alatobel - Carrera - Carreratobel - Valendas - Station Valendas - Castrisch - Glenner - Ilanz