505 Rheinwald Route

already actively used the pass routes via Splügen and San Bernardino, the Rheinwald was only sparsely populated by Romans until the High Middle Ages. In the 13th century, the Walser settled. To this day, their language and culture characterize the valley. This can also be seen in Splügen, where the Rheinwald circular route starts: In the old, typical pass village, tanned Walser houses stand right next to Italian-style stone houses.

On the sunny side of the valley we pass the castle ruins of Splügen, the only one in the valley. After Sufers we descend to the Sufnersee, which we circle clockwise. At the southern end of the reservoir we dive into the Göriwald and pass Splügen again. However, before the bridge leads over the Hinterrhein into the village, we turn. Nufenen is reached via the Tamboboden. Here it is possible to reach Hinterrhein via cycle route no. 6. The first village on the young Rhine is also the oldest Walser settlement in Graubünden. From Nufenen, the path leads on the left side of the river via Medels back to Splügen.

Cycling along the young Rhine almost became impossible: In the 1940s, the population of the Rheinwald successfully resisted a reservoir project. This envisaged flooding the valley with a 700-metre-long and 150-metre-high dam wall at the castle ruins. If the battle had been lost back then, Splügen and part of the pretty farming village of Medels would be under water today.

Any hiking trail closures/restrictions or diversions can be found here.