Stage 1: ViaSpluga

 The  viaSpluga  is  a  cultural  and  long-distance  hiking trail in the central Alps which has linked the peoples of the  German,  Romansh,  French  and  Italian-speaking regions,   as   well   as   the   villages   of  Thusis   and Chiavenna. The viaSpluga mainly follows historic mule tracks,  whose  original  structures  have  largely  been preserved  or  restored.  The  viaSpluga  stretches  for a total distance of about 65 km.  

Stage 1 / Thusis - Zillis/Andeer: The route either takes us  via  the  Traversinersteg  footbridge  (mountain  trail) or  through  the  Lost  Hole  ("Verlorene  Loch",  a  longer section  of  the  route on  a tarmac-covered  road)  to  the famous  Viamala  Gorge.  The  hiking  trail  continues  via Reischen  to  Zillis.  The  12th  century  Church  of  St. Martin,  with  its  world  famous  ceiling,  is  well  worth  a visit.  Its  153  panels,  which  are  excellently  preserved, depict  the  life  of  Christ  and  a  wealth  of  medieval magery.  If  you  have  a  room  booked  in  Andeer,  the route  continues through the  dreamy villages  of  Donat and Clugin to the well-known spa town of Andeer. 

Newly designed trail markers

 Everyone knows them: the white-red-and-white trail markers that show hikers that way. From September 2017, five of these look a little different on this trail. Artist Stefan Rüesch has set his hand, or rather his brush, to these and made these signs live up to the beauty of the surrounding nature. True to the motto: Every spot a masterpiece.

Find those newly designed trail markers by clicking on the map above.

 The  viaSpluga  is  marked  throughout  from  Thusis  to Chiavenna  as  regional  hiking  trail  No.  50,  as  well as with brown viaSpluga signposts. 

Stage 1: Thusis/Sils i.D. – Zillis/Andeer. Since  summer  2005,  there  have  been  two  Viamala routes  available  for  the  first  stage  of  the  viaSpluga. One,    which    takes   you    through   the    Lost    Hole ("Verlorene Loch"), is very varied and is not particularly difficult.  However,  it  is  important  to  mention  that it runs     along     the     old     trading     route     ("Alte Kommerzialstrasse")   and   the   road   has   a   tarmac surface.  The  main  route,  which  is known  as  the  "Veia Traversina",  runs  from  Sils  i.D.  via Hohenrätien  Castle and  the  new  Traversinersteg  (suspended  footbridge) into the Viamala Gorge. It is of great historic interest, although  it  is  considerably  more  challenging  that  the "Verlorenes   Loch"   option.   At   the   Viamala   Visitors Centre, the trail continues along the road up the Rhine for  250  m,  before veering  off  to  the  left.  You  then proceed   along  stone   steps  to  the  Posterior   Rhine (Hinterrhein).  After  crossing  the  Punt  da  Suransuns continue along the right side of the Rhine to the Val da Bargias  streamlet.  The  trail  then  carries  on  left  to Reischen.  At  the  end  of  the  road,  take  the  woodlandpath  to  the  Cultira  Dafora  hill.  You  later  proceed to Reischen  and  Zillis  via  the  old  wooden  bridge.  The route  continues  from  here  to  Andeer  via  Donat  and Clugin.