Ruta Grischun

The 5th stage of Cycle Country Route No. 6 leads from Thusis through the dizzying Viamala Gorge into the lovely Schamsertal valley, past the Roffla Gorge and up into the Rheinwald forest via Sufers to Splügen.

The Schamsertal forms the middle of the three valley chambers along the Hinterrhein and stretches from Zillis via Andeer to the Roffla Gorge. The 12th century church of St. Martin in Zillis with its unique ceiling painting is well worth a visit, as is the pretty mountain village of Andeer with its mineral baths.

After Andeer, the route continues via Bärenburg to the Roffla gorge. Before tackling the next few meters of altitude into the Rheinwald, the upper valley chamber of the Hinterrhein, it is worth stopping at the Rofflaschlucht inn and visiting the rock gallery with its waterfall. Once you arrive in Sufers at the Sufner reservoir, the route continues at a leisurely pace to Splügen.

Splügen was an important mule village on the most important north-south Alpine transit route for centuries, at the junction to the Splügen Pass and the San Bernardino Pass. The Italian-style stone houses and the tanned Walser houses characterize the historic townscape, which is worth protecting.

Alternatively, the route between Thusis and Rongellen below the Viamala Gorge can also be covered on the recommended Viamala Trail through the Verlorna Loch, which is not open to traffic.