Via Albula & Bernina (Rhaetian Railway)
€1450
per person
Hike along the historic walking trail of Via Albula Bernina. You will follow the route of the Rhaetian Rail UNESCO World Heritage train line. Because this independent walk tracks closely the Albula and Bernina line, it offers truly charming views of the train line. It is a certainly a wonder how perfectly the 100-year-old masterpiece of human artistic genius blends in with the alpine landscape. You will walk along the Albula valley from Thusis to Engadine in the first part of this iconic self-guided hiking tour in Switzerland. Along the way, you will explore the Bernina pass to Val Poschiavo. Finally, this route ends in the city of Tirano in Italy.
Level 3/4
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Destination
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Duration8 Days I Level: 3/4 (of 5)
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What is included7 overnight in 3* hotels incl. breakfast; Luggage transfer; Railway pass Thusis – Tirano 2nd class (valid for all regular train connections along the way); Entry for the Albula museum in Bergün; Navigation materials - 1 set per room (incl. maps and access to navigation app with pre-loaded GPS tracks); Emergency hotline
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What is not includedDrinks and other meals; Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price (payable locally in hotels); Entry fees;
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Best periodJuly, August, mid-September
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided hiking tour in Switserland along the famous Via Albula And Bernina UNESCO World Heritage Route
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Day 1. Arrival to Thusis
Thusis (Tosana in Italian) is a town in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It is easily accessible by train and is the starting point of this self-guided walking tour. *Easiest arrival through Zurich Airport (2hrs by train, 1 change) or Milan (direct bus, appr. 3hrs).
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Day 2. Thusis - Tiefencastel (20km, 6hrs, +1030m/-860m + shorter options!)
The independent hiking tour begins by following a trail from Domleschg through the Schinschlucht gorge. Today you will pass the hamlet of Muldain and enjoy breathtaking views. There is also something for the cultural heritage lovers. The Solis viaduct and St. Peters church in Mistail dating from the 8th century are only some of the treats you will discover along the way.
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Day 3. Tiefencastel – Filisur – Bergün (21km, 6hrs, +915m/-415m + shorter options!)
Today’ section of the self-guided walking route holds one of the highlights of the tour, the incredible Landwasser viaduct. What is more, you will walk alongside the splashing mischievous Albula river and on the even more thrilling wooden passage of “Wasserweg ansaina”. There are so many memorable moments of this day. You will see the world-famous RhB Rhaetian Railway viaduct, the historic center of the village of Filisur and the historic railway station at Stugl. As a result, you will finally reach Bergün with its famous Engadin houses which will be your end point for the day.
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Day 4. Bergün – Preda – Albulapass – Spinas | by train: Spinas – St. Moritz (18km, 6hrs, +1035m/-530m)
The self-guided walking tour continues along the banks of the Albula river. You will cross the railway track at it’s most impressive part form an engineering point of view on several occasions. You will walk from Preda to the Fuorcla Crap Alv (2466m a.s.l) passing the Palpuogna lake. Then steeply down into Val Bever reaching the rewarding finish line for this stage that is Spinas. From here you can enjoy a well-deserved rest with the journey by train to St. Moritz.
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Day 5. By train: St. Moritz – Morteratsch | Morteratsch – Berninapass – Alp Grüm (17km, 4-5hrs, +535m/-360m)
After a well-deserved rest, you continue through plains and alpine pastures to the Berninapass. This day is abundant in marvelous sites. The Stazerwald forest, Pontresina, the Morteratsch glacier world, Lago Bianco and Graubunden's highest mountain, just to name a few. You will reach the marvelous viewpoint of Sassal Mason from which you can contemplate views of Piz Palü, Lagh da Palü, Alp Grüm and Val Poschiavo.
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Day 6. Alp Grüm – Poschiavo (10km, 3-3,30hrs, +30m/-1070m)
A demanding but rewarding hike to e glacial mills of Cavaglia awaits you today. Similar to the Rhaetian Railway a few days back, the path brings us all the way down to the Poschiavo valley floor.
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Day 7. Poschiavo - Tirano (20km, 5,30hrs, +200m/-780m)
Today your independent hike will take you all the way to Italy. The viaducts and glaciers will steadily be replaced by orchards, chestnut groves and vineyards. As a result, you will reach the town of S. Perpetua in Tirano and realize the Mediterranean spirit has firmly moved into the landscape.
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Day 8. Departure day
The tour ends after breakfast. The transfer back to Thusis is included in the train pass.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
1520 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (28/06-29/08)
1450 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (30/08-14/09)
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 360 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. also sgl. room supplement): 420 Euro
Tips
Daily arrivals between mid-June and mid-September. Private car parking is available in Thusis (no option to prebook; payable locally). Transfer back to Thusis is included in the train pass. It is easy to shorten the long legs in the beginning of the trip. If you want to walk everything good stamina is needed. Some of the trails lead over narrow and rocky paths. Surefootedness is needed. Especially for the descend to Val Bever.
Accommodation
En-suite rooms incl. breakfast in nice hotels. Most of the houses are small and family-run businesses.
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