Säumerweg Avers: Soglio - Chiavenna

A narrow path leads downhill through the Selven and crosses the road several times until it leads into a natural road that runs over a spectacular tunnel behind a waterfall. Shortly thereafter, you reach Castasegna – the last village on Swiss soil. The border is only a few steps away, and beyond it, the landscape visibly changes: the Italian part of the Bergell begins.

In Italy, you first follow a bike path to the dam at Villa di Chiavenna. The route passes through small hamlets such as San Barnaba and Chete, past chapels of the Via Crucis, through chestnut groves and vineyards. Beautiful views of the valley open up again and again. Especially impressive is the small round church of Santa Croce and the church of San Martino, which is reached after crossing two bridges.

Through the open meadows of “La Ruina” you reach the Borgonuovo hamlet. There, signs point to the famous Acquafraggia waterfalls. The nearby place Sant’Abbondio tells of the past of the old village, which was almost completely destroyed by a flood – only the leaning church tower remained intact.

The path then continues over the broad streambed of the Drana to the stately Palazzo Vertemate, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture well worth a visit. The last stretch leads through the streets of Prosto, past the impressive church with a high bell tower and the soapstone museum. Then you stroll along the traditional Grotti through the glacier mill park (Marmitte dei Giganti) and finally reach, along the riverbank, the lively small town of Chiavenna – a place full of history, culture, and Italian flair.

• Chestnut nature trail: Between Soglio and Castasegna, the trail provides interesting information about the importance of the chestnut for the region.
• Waterfall tunnel at Brentan: An impressive natural phenomenon where the water spectacularly plunges through the rock.
• Palazzo Vertemate Franchi: Magnificent Renaissance palace in Prosto di Piuro with elaborately decorated halls and frescoes.
• Chiavenna: Enjoy a refreshing gelato at the end of the stage in the charming old town.

After crossing the border, continue on the Italian side on the bike path to the dam of Villa di Chiavenna. After crossing the dam, you pass San Barnaba and follow the signposts over Chete and Canete. A beautiful mule track with small chapels leads down to the bike path near Giavere. After crossing a bridge, you change to the main road and turn into a narrow lane to Bregalone with its old chestnut groves.

Near Vallata, follow a marked footpath through vineyards to the chapel of Santa Croce, cross two bridges (Mera and Aurosina), and reach the church of San Martino. Continue through the chestnut groves of Aurogo and over meadows into the Borgonuovo hamlet. There, follow the path to the Acquafraggia waterfalls near Sant’Abbondio.

A small road leads near the leaning church tower to the streambed of the Drana and further to the remarkable Palazzo Vertemate. The last section leads through Prosto over the Mera to the striking church with a bell tower, past the soapstone museum and the Grotti, to the Marmitte dei Giganti (glacier mill park). From there, follow the river bike path to the center of Chiavenna.