Römerweg Rheinwald
Overview
-
-
Distance 5 km
-
Duration 1 h 30 min
-
Ascent 120 m
Intro
On the sunlit side of the Rheinwald massif, the Roman Trail links the villages of Splügen and Sufers. Along the way: lovely views of various peaks and – after traversing the snowclad fairytale forest – Lake Sufers, almost entirely frozen over.
Description
This hike starts in the centre of Splügen village and ends at the village fountain in Sufers. Splügen is one of the most important – and oldest – pass villages of Graubünden. It's no surprise that luminaries such as Goethe and Einstein were profoundly impressed by this region, with its many mountain passes. Proud Italianate palazzi rub shoulders with sun-bronzed Walser houses in Splügen. The Swiss Heritage Society awarded the Wakker Prize to this village in 1995 and in 2019, it joined the "Most Beautiful Villages of Switzerland" association.
On the sunlit side of the valley, this winter hike follows the Roman Trail towards Sufers. The route is located within the Beverin Nature Park, and is part of the Via Spluga cultural and long-distance hiking trail that links Thusis and Chiavenna (Italy) in summertime. Back in the Roman era, the Via Spluga was an important route connecting southern Germany and Lombardy. The impressive ruins of Splügen Castle, on the right side of the path, also recall the turbulent history of the Rheinwald area. Were it not for the resistance put up by the population in about 1940, a dam wall would now be standing approximately at this point. Had it ever been built, the village of Splügen would have been submerged in water.
You now proceed downhill at a stately pace through the snow-clad fairytale forest (Märchenwald) to Sufers. There are superb views of the surrounding mountains and Sufers reservoir, part of the Hinterrhein hydropower plants. The first documented mention of this village dates from 831, when it was referred to as Subere. Ten years later, Holy Roman Emperor Lothar founded a church here. At that time, the outer Rheinwald and neighbouring Schams were settled by Rhaeto-Romans. German has been the principal language since about 1300, when the Walser colony in the inner valley (Nufenen and Hinterrhein) also extended to include Sufers. Iron ore was mined in the Suretta Valley at times, and was smelted in the furnace at the mouth of the valley. You can return to Splügen by postbus or on foot, either via the same route or around Lake Sufers.
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 |
Splügen
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Sufers
|
| Ascent |
120 m
|
| Descent |
150 m
|
| Distance |
5 km
|
| Duration |
1 h 30 min
|
| Physical requirements |
Easy
|
| Theme |
Along Water, Through a nature conservation area, With panoramic view
|
| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/winter-hiking/route-376... |
Viamala Tourismus
Bodenplatz 4
7435
Splügen
Quick Facts
Route number
