Via Spluga – 200 years back in history
€955
per person
The road from Coira to Chiavenna through the Splugen Pass (2115m) has been the most preferred route from Germany to Italy in the past up to the 19th century. The pass is located in one of the narrowest parts of the Alps and acts as a gate between the Lake Constance and Lake Como basins and the Rhine and Po river valleys. Two centuries after the route has seized being of economic use, it has emerged as one of the most popular leisure walking routes in the world. Retrace the footsteps of the merchants of old and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of this classic self-guided hiking route. Explore magnificent landscapes, charming towns and rediscover the ancient travel methods.
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Destination
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Duration6 Days I Level: 3 (of 5)
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What is included3* category accommodation in hotels and local inns, in en-suite rooms incl. breakfast; luggage transfers (15kg/1 piece per person); detailed maps and museum brochures; entry to the Rofla Gorge, entry to the Via Mala Gorge, entry to the St. Martino church and the regional museum in Zillis, entry to thermal bath of Andeer (max. 2 hours), entry to Museo of the Via Spluga in Campodolcino, entry to the Mill of Bottonera in Chiavenna, entry to Palazzo Vertemate Franchi in Piuro.
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What is not includedDrinks, other meals and transfers, tourist tax (payable locally)
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Best periodmid-June, July, August, September, mid-October
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided hiking tour along the Via Spluga trail in the Alps of Italy and Switzerland
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Day 1. Arrival in Thusis (Switzerland)
Thusis is the starting point of the Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway, which goes between Thusis and Poschiavo. The latter is a marvel of railway engineering that winds its way through the Graubünden Mountains thanks to man-made structures, viaducts and helical tunnels. *Easiest arrival via Zurich Airport (1,45-2,00hrs train journey). From the end of the tour you can also depart from Milan Airport (2,15hrs train ride).
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Day 2. Thusis/Sila - Andeer (9.5km, 4hrs, +850m/-600m OR 11.5km, 5hrs, +1000m/-750m OR 6km, 1.30hrs, +200m/-100m)
You have a number of options for the first day of your independent walking program which will be presented in detail in your route notes. You will have the chance to contemplate the wonderful Via Mala gorges from a close distance. In Zillis you will have the chance to visit the 12-century Romanesque church of S. Martino with its wonderful medieval ceiling painting. Your overnight is in the thermal water resort of Andeer (Switzerland).
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Day 3. Andeer/Zillis - Splugen (13km, 5hrs, +700m/-200m OR 19km, 6.30hrs, +900m/-300m)
After a healthy breakfast, we invite you to begin your self-guided hiking day with the wonderful cascades of Roffla. This is one of the newer trails and takes us through the rocky side of the gorge and toward the magnificent waterfalls of the Rhine river. The destination for today's hiking route is the curious town of Splugen (Switzerland). Splugen has been the most important settlement in the Rheinwald (or Val di Reno) since ancient times. The ancient heart of the trade route, it has remained intact and almost perfectly preserved in contemporary times. Overnight in Splugen (Switzerland).
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Day 4. Splugen - Isola (15km, 6,30hrs, +700m/- 900m + shorter options!)
Today’s independent walking section holds a breathtaking reward. A glorious pass across to the Swiss Alpine trails of the traveled route. You will enter the most picturesque part of Via Spluga - the Cardinello Gorge. You will follow a long balcony along the gorge with a splendid view over the Lior river. The overnight is in Isola (Italy). *You can reduce the mileage for the day by 1) taking a bus from Splugen village to Splugen Pass or Montespluga village and then walk down the rest stage through the Cardinello Gorge (one of the tour highlights), or 2) walk to Montespluga village and then catch a bus for the last stage to Isola.
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Day 5. Isola - Chiavenna (19,5km, 6,30hrs, +230m,/-900m + shorter options!)
Your last self-guided walk for this hiking tour is to Chiavenna. Tracing back to the Romans, this was a crossroad through the Alps of great importance - roads meandering from Lario to the end of Rezia and Norico. Chiavenna was once a customs for the Italian kingdom in the post-Carolingian times. Now, this captivating well-preserved historic town is the center of the Alpine Valchiavenna region. The overnight is in Chiavenna (Italy). *You can reduce the mileage for the day almost anytime by taking a bus to Chiavenna from the main road in the valley.
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Day 6. Departure
Departure day.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
955 Euro per person in twin/dbl room
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 280 Euro
Solo traveler supplement (incl. sgl. room supplement): 340 Euro
Tips
Daily departures between mid-June and mid-October. In the first hotel of the itinerary the guests will find a special “Via Spluga bag” with all the vouchers (hotels and museums), information material, maps, parking coupon, gadgets. One piece of luggage per person is allowed for the luggage transfers (15kg). Possible extensions from Chiavenna: extra day in the area, daily excursions to St. Moritz (1,30hrs by bus), to lake Como (30min; also possible ferry trip there) etc.
Accommodation
En-suite rooms on bed and breakfast basis in 3* category accommodations (hotels and local inns). Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Day 1: Thusis - Hotel Weiss Kreuz, Hotel Gyger; Day 2: Andeer - Hotel Fravi, Hotel Post; Day 3: Splügen - Hotel Bodenhaus, Hotel Alte Herberge Weiss Kreuz; Day 4: Isola - Locanda Cardinello, Hotel Mangusta; Day 5: Chiavenna - Hotel Crimea, Hotel Conradi;
Send an enquiry about this tour
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