From the railway station at Rhäzüns the route takes us along the Alpstrasse up to the Rhäzünser Alp Sura. There are several village fountains along the way, ideal for topping up those water bottles with good, fresh Rhäzüns water in preparation for the ascent. As the unsurfaced track continuously winds its way upwards, it's a sweat-inducing ascent that calls on reserves of endurance. Once we have passed the culms da razén (Rhäzüns pasture huts), we deserve a short break at the Lag Miert mountain lake. From its idyllic high-plateau setting, the small lake radiates peace and tranquillity, strengthening our resolve before we tackle the final and somewhat flatter ascent to the Rhäzünser Unteralp. By the time we hear the welcome shrieks of the marmots we know we have reached the highest point on the tour, the Alp Sura (Rhäzünser Oberalp). We are amply rewarded for our efforts on the ascent with stunning panoramic views of the Vorab, the Tschingelhörner, the Ringelspitz and the Calanda, the Rhine valley around Chur, and the Safier and Domleschg mountains. The downhill run begins gently enough along the Alpstrasse to the Bonaduzer Alp il Bot. Then it really begins to gather pace at the branch-off after Scardanal before turning technical on the single trail after Salums and Prau Videun. It's a real treat, with a fast-flowing run back down to Rhäzüns.

From Bad Ragaz, the pass route, which was already used by the Romans, leads steadily uphill to the spa town of Valens. There you drive rather flat over the almost 100 meter high bridge further down to Vasön and the Mapragg reservoir. Before the dam, turn right and drive along the lakeshore before continuing on the main road at the end of the lake.

Through a wild valley basin with almost vertical mountain flanks rising on both sides, we continue to Vättis. The final ascent to the pass now runs away from traffic in an untouched, grandiose landscape. Shortly after the Eggwald mountain restaurant, you leave the canton of St.Gallen and you are now on Graubünden soil before you reach the top of the pass.

At the transition from the Tamina Valley to the Rhine Valley, the great differences on both sides of the watershed are astonishing. The descent to Tamins is a real treat with a view of the confluence of the Anterior and Rear Rhine.

The Bündner Herrschaft, Graubunden’s fertile garden and winery lies on a mound of slate detritus. Also the home of Heidi, Peter and Alpöhi (Heidi’s grandfather).

This varied loop tour begins in the middle of the Graubünden capital. But the busy city life is soon left far behind, because the route takes you on a tranquil neighbourhood road into nature. You cross the Fürstenwald, a popular local recreation area with views of the city and the Calanda. The historic Trimmiser Mittelweg then takes you through open pastures to the village of Trimmis. The route follows the "Bündner Rheintal Wine Trail" on several sections. Accordingly, it provides an insight into the local winegrowing culture. This has a long tradition as first mentions go back to the year 765. The Graubünden Rhine valley winegrowing region stretches from Bonaduz to Fläsch and covers around 420 hectares. Thanks to the mild climate and the foehn, the grapes thrive magnificently in the calcareous soils - especially the typical Blauburgunder variety.

Past the imposing, former moated castle of Marschlins, the route follows the Landquart river to the village of the same name. The Landquart has its source above Klosters, flows through the Prättigau valley and finally into the Rhine at Landquart. Here you return on the popular cycling route no. 2, the Rhine route. From Zizers, the path repeatedly follows the young Alpine Rhine. This has its source at the Oberalp pass as the Vorderrhein and at Rheinwald as the Hinterrhein. At Reichenau-Tamins, the two main arms join to form the Rhine. Switzerland’s largest river flows for a total of 1230 kilometres via Lake Constance through Germany, on to Holland, and into the North Sea.

At Haldenstein, you cross to the other river bank. At the level of the town of Chur, the cycle path crosses the Rhine again on the Pardisla bridge which was built especially for cyclists and pedestrians. Shortly afterwards you reach another regional river: the Plessur has its source in the mountainous area between Arosa and Lenzerheide, flows past Arosa through the Schanfigg valley and into the Rhine at Chur. The route follows the river, and over the arched bicycle and pedestrian bridge, built in 2020, you finally dive right into the centre of Chur with its picturesque, car-free old town. Before returning to the station, you can stop at one of the numerous restaurants with sun terraces. The tour comes to a leisurely end in the unique ambience of Switzerland's oldest city.

This stage focuses on the fascination of the Flims rock slide. Gain an impression of its dimension from the new vantage platform at Conn. Gold was mined at Calanda, between Tamins and Felsberg, in the 19th century.

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

• Further Information in German

The episcopal city of Chur is considered to be the oldest city in Switzerland. The wild Rabiosa Gorge with its Passugg mineral springs runs through the German-speaking Churwaldner Valley. The spa hotel still bears witness to the Passugg spa business from the interwar period. Cultural sights from medieval times include the ruins of Strassberg Malix Castle, the monastery church of Churwalden and the Reformed church of Parpan with its free-standing church tower.

Stages:

64: Complete tour ViaSett

64.02: Lenzerheide - Tiefencastel

64.03.: Tiefencastel - Savognin

64.04: Savognin - Bivio

64.05.: Bivio - Vicosoprano

64.06.: Vicosoprano - Chiavenna

Audio guide for your smartphone

With our new acoustic hiking guide, you will learn interesting facts about nature and culture, history and legends along the Via Sett.

Learn more:

https://www.graubuenden.ch/de/news/graubuenden-akustik-erleben  

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.

Book Via Sett now at:

www.bike-explorer.ch/touren/hike/sett

BIKE EXPLORER

+41 81 356 22 44

info@bike-explorer.ch

www.bike-explorer.ch

Near the historic part of Chur, the aerial tramway takes off in the direction of Brambrüesch. The holiday spirit is already in the air here: the short ride along the ridge offers a marvellous view of Switzerland’s oldest town.

Once arrived on the hilly plateau, you can set foot on the scenic Alps and marvel at the panorama with mountains around Arosa, Schanfigg and Lenzerheide.

Through the forest the trail continues until the glade at Spundis, where the panorama opens up to the other side. At the horizon the impressive Tödi can be seen, during the further ascent the Calanda and Ringelspitz dominate the scenery. And soon comes the next targe: the chairlift station at Hühnerköpfe. Below of the chairlift the trail continues in direction of the highest point of the tour. At the Dreibündenstein with its stone monument of the former Three Leagues of Rhaetia, you can admire a 360-degree panorama extending from the town’s home mountains surrounding Chur, the Arosa and Lenzerheide, up to the Glarus Alps. Well visible on the Ringelspitz, lying opposite and reaching up to the Flims Mountains (Segnes, Tschingelhörner) is the UNESCO World Heritage site «Tektonikarena Sardona» (Glarus thrust).

You can start out on the snowshoe hike in Brambrüesch or Pradaschier. Either way: those who would like to can end the hike with a downhill run experience. Switzerland’s longest luge track promises a big adrenalin boost. From Brambrüesch, you can ride on a rental sled down to the Känzeli mid station.