“Le grand chemin d’Italie” – this is the way nineteenth-century European travellers often called the road from Coira to Chiavenna through the Splugen. For many years this has been the most travelled route from Germany to Italy, thanks to its particularly privileged geographical position. The Splugen Pass (2115m), located in one of the narrowest points of the Alpine chain, marks the passage through the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps. Equidistant from Milan and Zurich, it is the communication gate of the two basins of Lake Constance and Lake Como as well as the large valleys of the Rhine and Po. Today, after two centuries, it can be seen that interest in that road is coming back to life and this does not depend on trade and economic reasons; more on a mix of motivations including ecology and a reminiscent tourism: the wish to disappear into a intact and well-preserved natural space combines with the desire to recover the ancient way of travelling, to discover new places and to feel the same sensations as those of the ancient travellers. The itinerary, full of historical, ethnographic and naturalist features, unwinds along ancient routes and it is set up with stopping places containing logistic and informational aids. It covers a total of 65 km, starting from Thusis in the heart of the Grison Canton (720m), continuing along the gorges of the Mala Way, through the towns of Schams, Rheinwald and on to Splügen (1457m), an important transit crossroad. The Via Spluga then turns southwards, reaching an altitude of 2115 m at the Splugen Pass, and then descend through the spectacular and charming gorge of the Cardinello as far as Isola, where it continues along the whole of the San Giacomo valley, eventually reaching the picturesque village of Chiavenna (333m).
Tour highlights: Rofla gorge with spectacular waterfalls; Via Mala Gorge - extraordinary geological characteristics, a real breathtaking show; St. Martino churc and the regional museum in Zillis - visit of the three apses Romanic church and dicover the daily life of the past centuries in a XVI-th century bulding; thermal bath of Andeer; Museum of the Via Spluga in Campodolcino possibility to know the history of the valley through a verry good exposition; Mill of Bottonera in Chiavenna; The Cardinello Gorge and the historical centre of Chiavenna;
Trip plan:
Day 1. Arrival in Thusis a small, active town, where numerous hotels and shops of all kinds, offer along the main street of their merchandise.
Day 2. Visit the magnificent gorges of Via Mala, three hundred meters of wall that you face a close distance, up and down along the river Rhine. In Zillis rises the Romanesque church of S. Martino (1130), Carolingian three apses with the famous ceiling painting set in typically medieval style - the life of Christ. Further on reaching the thermal water source (34C degrees) attractive with its new facilities and modern hidroterapeutic centre. /Route Thusis - Verlorenes Loch - Zillis - 3h, uphill walk 500m, downhil walk 300; Route Thusis/Sila - Travorsina - Zillis 4.30h, uphill walk 850m, downhil walk 500; Zillis - Andeer 1.30h, uphill walk 200m, downhill walk 100m/
Day 3. After overnight in Andeer you can admire the cascades of Roffla this is a relatively new trail proceeding on the rocky side of the throat in order to see the spectacular waterfalls of the Rhine. Splügen, the most important settlement Val di Reno (Rheinwald), site of ancient trade remained almost perfectly preserved in its slplendore, overnight. /Andeer - Splugen 4.30h, uphill walk 700m, downhil walk 200m/
Day 4. Sublime pass across to the Swiss Alpine of Spluga. Cardinello throat and the most picturesque stretch of Via Spluga; the trail along the gorge halfway up as a long balcony overlooking the impetuous Liro river, reminds the tragic winter crossings of the military. Overnight in Isola. /Splugen - Isola 6.30h, uphill walk 700m, downhil walk 900m/
Day 5. Walk to Chiavenna: already in Roman times was an important crossroads for roads that climb from Lario, enters the Alps to overcome them to the ends of Rezia and Norico. In the post Carolingian times, Chiavenna was one of the customs of the Italian kingdom, with its "closed" doors to bridges on the river. Charming old town still kept intact and well preserved. Overnight in Chiavenna. /Isola - Chiavenna 6h uphill walk 100m, downhil walk 1000m/
Day 6. Visit of San Fedelino church or Acquafraaggia waterfalls and back by public bus to Chiavenna and overnight.
Day 7. Return by public transport to Thusis.
Included in the price: 6 overnights (B&B, double room), 5 packet lunch (1 drink, 1 sandwich, 1 chocolate bar, 1 fruit), luggage transportaion between hotels, 1 trekking map of the itinerary, 1 entry to the Rofla Gorge, 1 entry to the Via Mala Gorge, 1 entry to the St. Martino churc and the regional museum in Zillis, 1 entry to thermal bath of Andeer (max. 2 hours), 1 entry to Museo of theVia Spluga in Campodolcino, 1 entry to Mill of Bottonera in Chiavenna, 1 entry to the Vertemate Franchi Palace in Piuro, the Via Spluga pin.
The price does not include: Flights & airport taxes, Transfers to Chiavenna/Thusis & return to Airport, transfer by bus from Thusis to Chiavenna/Chiavenna to Thusis;
Additional price information: Single room supplement: 106 euro;
Accomodation and food: accommodation in en-suite rooms on bed and breakfast basis;
Luggage transport: As per program.
Practical information: - No sunday arrivals; - The daily walks range between 14 and 20km with uphill/downhill walks up to 900m; - There is also incuded a Parking card to use in Thusis (available at the tourist office of Thusis inside the train station) - pay one day and have 6 days free parking. - The program is reversible and may start both form Thusis or Chiavenna.
Group size: Min. 2
