Via Albula/Bernina
Overview
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Distance 10 km
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Duration 3 h 10 min
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Ascent 600 m
Intro
This section starts in Filisur with its historic village centre. Passing the tanzenden Hexen von Bellaluna (dancing witches of Bellaluna) the trail leads up to the well-kept, historic railway station at Stugl. Finishing point at Bergün with its Engadin houses, a mecca for railway enthusiasts.
Description
Filisur bears clear influences from the culture of the Engadin valley. Despite or perhaps because of the fact that it is located right on the other side of the Albula Pass, the Engadin’s architecture and many of its traditions have sprung up here as well. The railway building from 1898 to 1909 made Filisur into a transport hub. The tracks of the Rhaetian Railways – with their viaducts, spiral tunnels and snow sheds – are considered engineering masterpieces.
After setting off from the railway, you will hike through the village centre. Passing by handsome houses in the Engadin architectural style, the route descends to the river Albula. After crossing, follow the river’s course uphill. You will encounter an inn steeped in legends: the Bellaluna. To this day, it is said that witches once gathered here to dance at night, known as “Bal al’üna”. But is the building itself cursed? It’s hard to say, but for a long time whoever ran the site – whether as a sawmill, restaurant or cultural centre – always came to a sticky end. They were all befallen by fire, flooding, suicide or, worst of all, a murder and robbery in 1988 during which then proprietor Paula Roth was stabbed to death.
Passing by this authentic old workers’ house, the route leads up to the railway line and the historic Rhaetian Railways station at Stugl/Stuls. Commencing operations in 1903, the wooden building is now listed. Keep heading along the railway line until you reach Bergün, your destination for the leg, around 300 metres higher up than Filisur. Impressively, the railway covers around 8,800 metres between the two places, passing through a total of 2,627 metres of tunnels, crossing 318 metres of viaducts and overcoming a maximum gradient of 35/1000 along the way. Similarly, Rhaetian Railways is also an important feature of life in Bergün. The museum by the railway station is a popular destination for families and train enthusiasts. Around 600 exhibits on the history of railways in the Grisons and one of the last “Crocodile” locomotives can be viewed here.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Filisur
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Bergün / Bravuogn
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| Direction |
One way
|
| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
1500 m
|
| Ascent |
600 m
|
| Descent |
300 m
|
| Distance |
10 km
|
| Duration |
3 h 10 min
|
| Duration back |
2 h 55 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
May - October
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
Quick Facts
Route number
