This is Juf
Juf is Europe's highest year-round inhabited settlement and a starting point for mountain pass hikes and ski tours. The village lies at the far end of the Avers Valley, a high-altitude valley in the Viamala holiday region of the canton of Graubünden.
Discover Juf
In Juf, all you see around you are meadows. You are above the tree line, with the nearest forest growing 5 kilometres further down the valley. The houses and barns are traditionally built from wood, weathered and darkened by the sun. Only around two dozen people live in Juf year-round. You can eat and stay at the Alpenrose inn, the Edelweiss guesthouse or in holiday apartments and chalets.
Ancient mountain passes into neighbouring valleys
The Walser people from Upper Valais settled the Avers Valley in the 13th century and used mountain passes to reach neighbouring valleys. Crossing the Stallerberg Pass at 2,580 metres, you can hike to the Italian-speaking village of Bivio in just over 3 hours. The route over the Forcellina Pass at 2,672 metres and the Septimer Pass takes you into the Bregaglia Valley in the south of the canton. Both routes require good fitness and sure-footedness. They are usually snow-free from July to October.
Winter at 2,126 metres
Along the Jufer Rhine, you can go cross-country skiing using either the classic or skating technique. Alternatively, take the 5-kilometre winter hiking trail from Pürt to Juf, which takes just under 2 hours. Ski tours to Mazzaspitz or Piz Piot start in the village, but require experience and avalanche safety equipment. At this altitude, snow remains well into spring, and it sometimes even snows in summer.
Around Juf
The marmot nature trail from Juppa is 7.6 kilometres long there and back. In summer, you can usually spot several marmots on the slopes, while in autumn they retreat for hibernation. You can also go downhill skiing in Juppa, where 2 ski lifts operate in winter. The Mining Museum in Innerferrera tells the story of the difficult work of extracting iron ore, while the Andeer Mineral Baths offer relaxation after an active day.
Experience Juf for less
With the
Graubünden Pass, you can travel unlimited by PostBus and train throughout the canton on 2 or 5 days.
