Stage 7: Alpine Passes Trail

This long stage starts in the Safien Valley at the Kleinhotel Nühus, which has been refurbished with modern amenities. The influence of Walser culture is very strong in this secluded tributary valley in Graubünden's Surselva region. Scattered hamlets and farms tell the story of settlement in this valley over time. One particularly fine example: the hamlet of Camanaboda with its Heritage Museum, in an old Walser house. From the Nühus hotel, the trail plunges into the forest after a few minutes. Several hairpin bends take you uphill to the Zalöner Hütta settlement, past dozens of anthills. With luck, you will spot roe deer in the idyllic forest. A lovely view of the Beverin Nature Park, with the peak of Piz Beverin (2,998 m), opens up here. The park, which covers an area of 412 km2 around the peak, is home to ibex (capricorn).

The meadows are strewn with heather. Climb through meadowland – where marmots sound the alarm – to reach Güner Lückli pass (2,470 m.a.s.l.) after well over two and a half hours. A transit route across this pass used to lead from Safierberg pass via the Safien pastures to Pitasch and Castrisch. This was one of the first crossings in Graubünden from the Vorderrhein (Anterior Rhine) to Chiavenna. Then comes a rather poorly marked path down to Alp Gretg settlement. With a little luck, you will spot some chamois on Piz Radun mountain. The sweeping view extends from Val Lumnezia to the Surselva Valley, taking in Oberalpstock mountain and the Tödi massif. Continue through the forest above Val da Pitasch to reach Duvin after well over two and a half hours.

After this small hamlet, there a steep path down to Planezzas. Further along the main road, you cross the river Glenner (Glogn in Romansh) at Peiden-Bad. This whitewater river, which rises between Piz Terri and Piz Scharboda, flows through the Val Lumnezia. A better-known and larger river is the Valser Rhine: at Suraua, it flows into the Glenner, which then joins the Vorderrhein at Ilanz. Stay on the asphalted road to continue climbing towards Peiden. Now comes the last hour of this hike: you pass below Cumbel village to reach Vella, the end of this long stage with over 3,000 meters of altitude gains and losses.