Via Spluga: The heart of the Alps
Via Spluga: The heart of the Alps
- Depart from Thusis, a charming Swiss village on the Hinterrhein River, and arrive at the imposing Viamala Gorge.
- Discover Andeer and Splügen, crossing fir forests and waterfalls such as those at Roffla.
- Descend through the vertiginous Cardinello Gorge, between wide rock walls and memorable views.
- Enjoy alpine flavours at every turn, sampling artisan cheeses, cured meats, polenta, mountain wines and unique specialities such as crotti from Chiavenna.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Thusis
Stroll through its quiet streets, surrounded by traditional houses and breathtaking views. Take a moment to breathe in the pure Alpine air, listen to the murmur of the water and enjoy a coffee on a terrace with a view.
Sils im Domleschg: If there is no availability in Thusis, you will need to go to Sils im Domleschg, which is 2 kilometres away.
Overnight in Thusis
Hotel Weiss Kreuz
Located in the centre of Thusis and recently renovated, this hotel offers comfortable rooms with flat-screen televisions, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.
It also has a restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal.
Day 2 - Thusis to Andeer 10,8 miles | 17,4 km
Both options will lead you to the impressive Via Mala Gorge, one of the most spectacular points of the day. After the walk, continue to the peaceful village of Zillis, where the church of San Martino awaits you. Its painted ceiling, a 12th-century gem, tells biblical stories through its delicate medieval panels.
At the end of the day, you will arrive in Andeer to relax in its famous mineral baths. You will have an included visit where you can enjoy two hours of pure relaxation between indoor and outdoor pools, fed by thermal waters at 34°C, with privileged views of the Alpine peaks.
Ascent: 853m (2,798ft) / Descent: 572m (1,877ft)
Overnight in Andeer
Hotel Fravi
Located in a historic building dating back to 1828, it offers modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.
It also has a restaurant serving typical Swiss dishes and a lovely terrace.
Day 3 - Andeer to Splügen 8,9 miles | 14,3 km
The path continues through dense forests, where large fallen tree trunks mark the trail. Soon you will come to Sufers, a quiet village nestled on the shores of a turquoise lake, surrounded by majestic mountains reflected on its surface.
Finally, you will arrive at Splügen, where today's hike ends. This charming village, with its Walser-style houses and cobbled streets, preserves the spirit of the Swiss Alps intact. Be sure to visit the Heimatmuseum Rheinwald, a local museum that lovingly collects centuries of history and traditions from the valley.
Ascent: 789m (2,588ft) / Descent: 313m (1,027ft)
Overnight in Splügen
Hotel Bodenhaus
Surrounded by mountains and set in beautiful surroundings, this hotel offers all kinds of amenities, from a restaurant to a large garden.
It features rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms.
Day 4 - Splügen to Isola 10,6 miles | 17,1 km
As you ascend the northern slope of the Splügen Pass, the air becomes purer and more fragrant, while the surroundings transform into a natural mosaic of colours and textures. Upon reaching the summit, you will cross the border between Switzerland and Italy, a historic pass that also marks a subtle change in architecture, landscape and light.
The descent to the picturesque village of Montespluga is peaceful and offers a perfect place to pause and have lunch in front of the alpine landscape. From here, continue towards the spectacular Cardinello Gorge, a stretch that requires some attention due to its narrow layout, but which rewards you with unforgettable views.
The trail then winds its way through typical wooden mountain houses, also known as baite, and small villages where time seems to have stood still, until it reaches Isola, where this stage full of contrasts and natural beauty comes to an end.
Ascent: 708m (2,323ft) / Descent: 864m (2,835ft)
Overnight in Isola
Mangusta
It offers rooms in a privileged natural setting, equipped with flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.
It also has a terrace, garden and restaurant.
Day 5 - Isola to Chiavenna 13 miles | 21 km
As you approach Chiavenna, the landscape opens up to reveal a spectacular view of the Valchiavenna valley, dotted with terraced vineyards that descend the slopes in almost perfect geometry. Your arrival in this charming town marks the end of your Alpine journey.
Chiavenna is famous for its crotti, natural caves formed in the rocks of the valley, where the constant circulation of fresh air creates the ideal microclimate for storing local wines, cheeses and cured meats. Beyond their practical function, crotti are also social spaces where families and friends gather, or even transform into cosy restaurants where you can enjoy the region's authentic cuisine.
Ascent: 41m (135ft) / Descent: 1005m (3,297ft)
Overnight in Chiavenna
Hotel Crimea
The hotel has been recently renovated so that you can enjoy all kinds of amenities.
Its rooms have free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. It also has a restaurant and a bar.
Day 6 - Chiavenna
End of our services.
Itinerary Map
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Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms
- Daily Breakfasts
- Lunch on days 2, 3, 4 and 5
- 2-hour visit to the Andeer mineral baths
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Transfers as specified in the itinerary
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Travel insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
Accomodation
General information
The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & Transfers
To return to your city of origin from Chiavenna, you can fly from Milan-Bergamo or Milan-Malpensa airports. First, you will need to take a train to Milan Central Station (via Colico) and then take a bus to Milan-Malpensa Airport. If you are flying from Milan-Bergamo, you will need to change trains in Colico and Lecco.
You can find more information on the Trenitalia website.
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
- Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
- Maximum dimensions 65x50x40 cm.
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).