Hike Via Spluga

Your first full day of hiking in the Alps begins with a brisk walk through Thusis and into some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. This 15 km hike takes in some truly jaw-dropping vistas and the very best of the Via Mala gorges. Running parallel to this famous route is the Via Traversina — an equally historic route that takes hikers a little higher.

Our first day of Alpine hiking ends in the charming village of Andeer, which is characterised by its quintessentially European architecture and cobblestone streets. The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Data:

Length: 15.5 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
H+: 630 m
H-: 30 m

Our second full day of hiking in the Alps begins with a walk to one of the region’s most stunning beauty spots — the Roffla Waterfalls. After spending a few minutes taking in the scenery and spectacular falls, we take a well-trodden path that runs parallel to an ancient road. This is where we leave the modern world behind, as we make our way into the forest in search of flora and fauna.

Our next stop along the way is the pretty village of Sufers. This ancient settlement was founded during the Carolingian epoch and is awash with history. Once there, you’ll be able to take in the majesty of what surrounds you — a gorgeous valley and towering mountains at every turn. Then it’s back to the ancient path as we wind our way through the valley and onto the town of Splügen. This bustling town offers all the trappings of modern life, yet its ancient character and mystique remain almost unchanged.

We think the picturesque town of Splügen is one of the finest in the Alps. That’s why we encourage you to explore it as it wakes up in the morning. Immerse yourself in local life, enjoy a hearty Alpine breakfast and recharge your batteries for another day of spectacular Alpine hiking. Day 4 takes us through luscious pastures — surrounded by mountain ranges and breathtaking views. Along the way, we’ll point out a range of interesting landmarks, including avalanche barriers, ancient tracks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

This stage of your Alpine hike along the viaSpluga is relatively short, but it’s one of the most energetic. You’ll walk along a high-altitude trail as you leave the village and make your way up the northern slop of the Splügen Pass. You’ll then descend down into the village of Montespluga, which is dripping with Italian culture and centuries of history.

A full day of spectacular Alpine hiking begins with a brisk walk along the reservoir banks and to two spectacular dams. We’ll take a few moments of well-earned rest to take in the vistas over the Cardinello Gorge. You’ll definitely want to get your cameras out for this awe-inspiring photo opportunity!

As we continue, you’ll get the chance to see some of the most breathtaking rock formations in Europe. We then start a steep descent down the gorge and along a raging river. Although challenging, this is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll enjoy on this Alpine hiking tour. But your exertions will be well rewarded, as this leg of our tour takes us to the beautiful settlement of Isola — via a range of pretty mountain homes in Sosta and Mottaletta. And finally, a trek through ancient woodland leads us to our final destination of the day; the wondrous Campodolcino.

Make sure you eat a hearty breakfast on the morning of day 6, as this is a challenging, mostly downhill section of our Alpine hiking tour. We’ll take the Liro torrent route that includes Val San Giacomo, dry-stone walls, bounteous meadows, chestnut groves and some spectacular vistas. There will also be opportunities to explore ancient religious sites and historic churches along the way.

We maintain a steady pace as we continue descending to Chiavenna along an ancient pathway. This leg of our tour includes one of the most spectacular photo opportunities — the vineyards, terraces and natural splendour of Valchiavenna. This quintessentially Alpine settlement is frozen in time, which is why it’s the perfect place to end our tour.