Hikes
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

Via Albula/Bernina

The unique long-distance hiking trail Via Albula/Bernina runs along the UNESCO World Heritage RhB line. In 10 stages, it covers 131 kilometres on foot from Thusis to Tirano through three language and cultural regions. Sights such as the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur, the helical tunnels between Bergün and Preda, old railway stations and the circular viaduct in Brusio can be admired at close quarters. The varied Alpine landscape is a special feast for the eyes.

Short Info
Difficulty
medium
Distance
131 km
Duration
40 hours
Start altitude
697 m a.s.l.
End altitude
429 m a.s.l.
Ascent
4'650 m
Descent
4'910 m
Lowest point
429 m a.s.l.
Highest point
2'466 m a.s.l.
Restaurants

Stage 1: Thusis – Tiefenfcastel

Stage 2: Tiefencastel – Filisur

Stage 3: Filisur – Bergün

Stage 4: Bergün – Preda

Stage 5: Preda – Spinas

Stage 6: Spinas – St. Moritz

  • Central in Samedan
  • Bo's Co in Celerina
  • various restaurants in St. Moritz

Stage 7: St. Moritz – Ospizio Bernina

Stage 8: Ospizio Bernina – Cavaglia

Stage 9: Cavaglia – Le Prese

Stage 10: Le Prese – Tirano

Alternative routes

Thusis - Tiefencastel

  • Hiking time: 5.45 - 6.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 920/730 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 19.6 km
  • Characteristics: Easy (T1) to medium (T2) mountain hike on marked, partly asphalted roads and well-maintained hiking trails, approx. 80m long tunnel (usually illuminated).
  • Highlights: Schin gorge, village of Muldain, Solis viaduct, church of St. Peter in Mistail.


Tiefencastel - Filisur

  • Hiking time: 2.45 - 3.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 360/160 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 11.5 km
  • Characteristics: easy (T1) to medium (T2) mountain hike on marked driving and well-maintained hiking trails.
  • Highlights: Landwasser viaduct, ansaina waterway, Filisur


Filisur - Bergün

  • Hiking time: 3 - 3.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 590/300 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 9.5 km
  • Characteristics: Filisur - Bellaluna easy (T1) hike, Bellaluna - Bergün medium (T2) mountain hike on marked driving and well-maintained, partly narrow hiking trails.
  • Highlights: Historic Stugl railway station, Albula Railway Museum, Bergün railway village


Bergün - Preda

  • Hiking time: 2 - 2.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 470/60 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 6.9 km
  • Characteristics: Medium (T2) mountain hike on marked roads and well-maintained, partly narrow hiking trails.
  • Highlight: Albula railway experience trail


Preda - Spinas

  • Hiking time: 4.15 - 4.45 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 800/770 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 12.0 km
  • Highest point: Fuorcla Crap Alv, 2466 m a.s.l.
  • Characteristics: medium (T2) mountain hike (partly with alpine character) on marked driving and well-maintained, partly narrow, stony and steep hiking trails, especially descent from Fuorcla Crap Alv into Val Bever requires surefootedness.
  • Highlights: Lake Palpuogna, Spinas


Spinas - St. Moritz

  • Hiking time: 3.15 - 3.45 hrs.
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 250/290 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 13.7 km
  • Characteristics: Easy (T1) hike on marked roads and well-maintained paths.
  • Highlight: St. Moritz


St. Moritz - Ospizio Bernina

  • Hiking time: 6 - 6.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: 780/300 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 23.4 km
  • Characteristics: easy (T1) hike to medium (T2) mountain hike on marked driving and well-developed hiking trails.
  • Highlights: Morteratsch glacier world, Lago Bianco - Lej Nair watershed


Ospizio Bernina - Cavaglia

  • Hiking time: 2.30 - 3h
  • Ascent/descent: 210/770 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 9.1 km
  • Characteristics: Medium (T2) mountain hike on marked tracks and well-maintained hiking trails. Somewhat steep, narrow descent from Sassal Mason.
  • Highlight: Panoramic viewpoint Sassal Mason


Cavaglia - Le Prese

  • Hiking time: 2.45 - 3.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 30/750 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 10.4 km
  • Characteristics: Medium (T2) mountain hike on marked driving and well-maintained hiking trails, partly on asphalted roads.
  • Highlights: Cavaglia high valley, glacier mills, village of Poschiavo


Le Prese - Tirano

  • Walking time: 3.45 - 4.15 h
  • Ascent/descent: approx. 230/760 metres altitude difference
  • Distance: 14.2 km
  • Characteristics: Medium (T2) mountain hike on marked roads and well-maintained hiking trails. Parts of it on asphalted roads, stone staircase-like descent from Santa Perpetua.
  • Highlights: Circular viaduct in Brusio, various fruit, chestnut and wine areas, Tirano
Remarks

Book one of Eurotrek's hiking packages with overnight accommodation, luggage transport and rail pass: either one of the two 3-day hikes (North or South) or the 6-day Albula/Bernina hike.

Provider
Eurotrek AG
Lerzenstrasse 21
8953 Dietikon
  https://eurotrek.ch
  eurotrek@eurotrek.ch
  +41 44 316 10 00