Säumerweg Avers via Cröt: Soglio - Chiavenna

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

In Italy, you initially follow a cycle path to the dam of Villa di Chiavenna. The path goes through small hamlets such as San Barnaba and Chete, past chapels on the Via Crucis, through chestnut groves and vineyards. Beautiful views open up again and again into the valley. Particularly 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 district of Borgonuovo. There, signs point to the famous waterfalls of Acquafraggia. The nearby town of 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 continues over the wide stream bed of the Drana to the stately Palazzo Vertemate, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture worth visiting. The last section runs along the streets of Prosto, past the impressive church with a high bell tower and the steatite museum. Then you walk along the traditional Grotti through the glacier mill park (Marmitte dei Giganti) and finally reach 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 knowledge about the importance of the chestnut tree 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 in the charming old town at the end of the stage.

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

At 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 across meadows to the district of Borgonuovo. There, follow the route to the waterfalls of Acquafraggia at Sant’Abbondio.

A street leads near the leaning church tower to the Drana stream bed and further to the scenic Palazzo Vertemate. The last section leads through Prosto over the Mera to the distinctive church with a bell tower, past the steatite museum and the Grotti, to the Marmitte dei Giganti (glacier mill park). From there, follow the river bike path to the center of Chiavenna.