Switzerland - Via Spluga
This delightful hiking adventure takes you on a journey through the breathtaking Swiss Alps, where you can experience the unique beauty and culture of the area.
Via Spluga offers a wonderful mix of history and culture, perfectly embedded in a long hike that leads through one of the most beautiful parts of Switzerland. The first stages lead through the Rofla and Viamala gorges. After these rugged landscapes, the gentle waters of the Rhine and the quiet mountain lakes present a completely different picture of the Swiss Alps. Take a break in the charming village of Splügen before heading up to the Splügen Pass, which leads towards Italy. These trails are among the oldest trade routes in Europe and were already used by the Romans.
On our self-guided walking holiday along the Via Spluga, you'll discover ancient paths that were once used as trade routes between Switzerland and Italy. You'll walk through picturesque landscapes where lush valleys meet majestic mountain peaks, and you'll pass charming villages that ooze history and local charm.
On this trip, you have the freedom to hike at your own pace and explore the beautiful surroundings in your own way. We take care of all the logistics, including accommodation in cosy places and necessary transport, so you can enjoy your walking holiday worry-free.
On your way along the Via Spluga, you'll encounter stunning views, enchanting lakes and authentic Swiss culinary experiences. This is a journey for nature lovers, adventurers and those who want to immerse themselves in the Swiss Alpine air and culture.
About the route
Surefootedness is needed for the alpine hiking trails. Two of the routes are quite long and you need to e in a good phyiscal condition to be able to go on this hike. The trails in the gorges lead over tarmac paths that might be slippery.
Great things about this tour
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
You arrive at your first hotel in Thusis, where you check in to you room. You have the rest of the day to explore your surroundings.
Experience an exhilarating day of hiking that takes you through the dramatic Viamala Gorge and the fascinating area of Schams, characterised by countless cultural treasures such as the historic church of Zillis. Along the way, you'll come across impressive engineering feats, including the Traversiner suspension bridge, Punt da Suransuns, the Wildener bridges and the breathtaking Rania bridge. After the day's hike, you can find peace and renewal at the Andeer Spa, where you can relax and recharge in peaceful surroundings.
Today it's time for another lovely hike on the Via Spluga, which offers a beautifully landscaped path through the challenging Roflaschlucht (gorge) and the sparsely populated valley floor of the Rheinwald. Along the way you can explore the interesting towns of Andeer and Splügen. A visit to the Rheinwalder Valley Museum, Crestawald Fortress Museum and the Roflaschlucht cliff trail are all great experiences you can enjoy today.
Today's hike takes you up to Bodmastafel. A path leads you past the peaks of the Alps in Rhäzüns, up to the Suretta plateau. Here, sparkling lakes and beautiful views await you before you pass the Franzisch-Grind viewpoint on your way back to Splügen.
Alpine hike over the Splügen Pass along a unique mule track with a challenging descent through the Val Cardinello gorge. Along the way, you'll pass historic traffic installations, including a marble-paved road and avalanche galleries. Finally, enjoy an overnight stay in Isola, where the former hideaway now serves as a guesthouse.
Follow the course of the Liro River through shady chestnut forests in Val San Giacomo until you reach Chiavenna with its southern atmosphere. Along the way, pass the remote pilgrimage churches of San Giacomo Filippo and Gallivaggio and enjoy the Italian lifestyle in Chiavenna's vibrant Centro Storico.
This tour is now over. During the morning you check out from the hotel. It is possible to book extra nights after the tour if you prefer.
Price includes
- 6 nights in 3-star hotels and inns
- Breakfast every day
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Entrance to the Roffla and Viamala Gorge
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- GPS-data is available
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- Access to the route in our GPS-app which works offline while you walk
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Switzerland
- Tourist tax (if due)
- Handling fee (EUR 20)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Zürich are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday
- You arrange your transportation
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
On this tour you will spend six nights in 3-star hotels and inns. Breakfast is included.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
Breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch in the small villages before the walks and you will have plenty of choices for dinner in the many restaurants.
This tour has difficulty grade 3-4. Which means that most days are difficulty 3 and some days are difficulty 4.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Grade 4
Trekking with daily walks of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain and higher altitude. There will be longer ascents and descents. Requires endurance and strong knees and ankles. Requires good hiking boots and "outdoor" clothing. There will be major fluctuations in temperatures.
Read more about our Grading System
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
The statistics are from yr.no.
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Mail: [email protected]