Bever - Spinas (SwissMobil route 266)

The trail starts at the cross-country ski centre near the Inn river. Across the river and the plain, it dips into the secluded side valley north of the village of Bever. The route follows the right side of the Beverin stream into the valley. Entire sections of the long trail run alongside the banks of the bubbling stream. Now and again it entices the cross-country skier to take a short detour through the tranquil forests of Swiss pine and larch that line the snow-covered slopes of the narrow valley. The Rhaetian Railway is an occasional companion on the cross-country trail through Val Bever, running at regular intervals behind the trees on the other side of the stream. The tradition-steeped railway line celebrated its 115th anniversary in 2018 and, on this section of the route, the distinctive red carriages are making their way to the Albula Tunnel, then down towards Tiefencastel. Next the cross-country ski trail steadily edges its way uphill to cover the 125 vertical metres from Bever before ending at the turning point at Gasthaus Spinas, a whitewashed building at the southern portal of the tunnel offering food and board.

During the construction of the tunnel, a pioneering feat of engineering in itself, the hamlet of Spinas had up to 400 inhabitants, making it almost twice the size of Bever. There is no evidence of that today. Gone are the workers’ living quarters, the shops and the school. Only the historical station building, a private pavilion, another building, and the former post office (which now houses the Gasthaus) testify to the bustling activity that once existed here. The return leg back to Bever follows the same route. But thanks to the slight downward slope the way back is more of a gentle run.

More information
Engadin Tourismus AG
Via Maistra 1
CH-7500 St. Moritz
Phone: +41 81 830 00 01
E-mail: allegra@engadin.ch 
Internet: www.engadin.ch 

Corss-country ski run report: www.engadin.ch/en/slopes-tracks/cross-country-trails/ 

You can also take the train for the return

Bever - Resgia - Zaffuns - Spinas