Splügen
Intro
Splügen is a typical pass village with well preserved architecture, impressive palazzi and sun-browned wooden Walser houses.
Description
Splügen was for many centuries a hub of pack mule traffic across the Alps. For over 2,000 years, the Splügen Pass was the main link between Graubünden and Italy, while the mule track over the San Bernardino also played a significant role.
The southward route from Thusis through the Viamala Gorge was considered particularly arduous. Cliffs up to 300 metres high form the valley cutting of this formidable gorge, in places just a few metres wide. Descending the 321 steps will give you a good idea of its scale. Built in 1739, the bridge almost 70 metres above the Hinterrhein is also an impressive sight.
Winter
While the very biggest winter sport areas are not to be found in Viamala, this region is quite an experience and visitors will greatly enjoy the immense freedom and real winter sport fun of its six skiing and snowboarding areas, with very well groomed slopes, sledge runs, winter hiking trails and idyllic cross-country ski tracks, as well as wonderful natural ice rinks in picturesque villages and in front of magnificent mountain panoramas.