St.-Gotthard-fünf-Pässe-Bike

From Olivone, the postbus runs to the Lukmanier Pass, where this stage begins. During the journey, you can see how the mountain farmers have transformed this wild valley into a picturesque landscape that becomes increasingly barren the higher you climb. The Lukmanier is a historical pass that was already used in ancient times. On the Via Lucmagn we follow in the footsteps of princes and their armies, traders, pilgrims and scholars, who explored its surroundings after reaching the pass, which at an altitude of 1,913 metres, is therefore the deepest pass crossing in the central Alps.

Along the way, you can find evidence of yesteryear in various places. Some of it has disappeared into the Lai da Sontga Maria reservoir, on the right side of which the trail runs on the surfaced pass road for a short distance. When you reach the end of the lake, you cross the 117-metre-high arch dam and pick up the old trail again. The stone bridge below the dam is evidence of the old path that runs to Mumpé Medel. Incidentally: the word ‘Mumpé’ is derived from the Latin ‘mons’, which means ‘hill’, the word ‘Medel’ comes from ‘metallum’: iron used to be mined in Val Medel (the metal valley).

On the way through Val Medel, you follow the gravel road all the way, which runs close to the pass road and the Rein da Medel. At Sogn Gions, after a short stretch on the pass road, you cross the river that flows from Lago Scuro to Disentis. On the left side of the river, you go downhill to the entrance to Val Mutschnengia, which is best known for the 100-metre-long larch wood suspension bridge that spans the slate gorge.

After leaving the asphalt road, follow the forest path to Mumpé Medel for a little over a kilometre. A single trail winds from here down to the confluence of the Medelser and Vorderrhein. You follow the river as far as the junction to Disentis. The impressive landmark of Disentis is the Benedictine monastery, the history of which goes back more than 1,400 years. The baroque complex also houses a Romansch library and a monastery museum, where you can learn more about the region’s cultural and natural history.