A 136-metre arch spans the Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur. It is part of a railway story that you can also discover on foot in Albula: the Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the 131-kilometre Via Albula/Bernina, ten stages follow in the footsteps of the railway pioneers, passing viaducts, spiral tunnels and historic stations. Here, engineering and landscape meet along a long-distance hiking route.
Railway History and Cultural Heritage
The Albula Railway Museum is also home to the Rhaetian Railway’s UNESCO Visitor Centre. Across four floors, the museum displays more than 800 exhibits from over 135 years of railway culture in Graubünden. The Bergün Local History Museum offers another perspective on the railway: the Albula Bahn Club operates a model railway there depicting the UNESCO World Heritage line between Bergün and Preda in 1:87/H0 scale. The museum itself is housed in an Engadine house dating from between 1560 and 1600 and uses historic rooms to show the former way of life and culture of the people of Bergün.
St. Peter Mistail also tells a story of construction dating far back into the past. The former monastery church was built around 800, during the time of Charlemagne, and is one of Switzerland’s oldest sacred buildings. Inside, there are important wall paintings in four layers. The Schmitten Local History Museum offers insights into the period from the 18th to the early 20th century through an audiovisual presentation. Topics include agricultural work, crafts, mining, customs and church traditions.
Mountain Landscapes and Nature
The Albula region encompasses the Albula Valley and the Oberhalbstein in the Julia Valley, as well as the six municipalities of Albula/Alvra, BergĂĽn Filisur, Lantsch/Lenz, Schmitten, Surses and Vaz/Obervaz. It ranges from 720 to 3,416 metres above sea level. The Crap Alv natural forest reserve marks two milestones in forest protection: the forest has not been used since 1951 and has been protected as a natural forest since 2015. The reserve contains three raised bogs of regional importance.
The Ela federal hunting reserve, established in 1886, lies around Piz Ela. Alp Flix is home to more than 2,000 animal and plant species. On a hike through the landscape at the Albula Pass, Lai da Palpuogna can make a good place to rest. A mountain tour in the Albula Alps passes several mountain lakes and the distinctive Piz Ela. Along the Path of the Pioneers, which runs above the Albula from Surava towards Alvaneu Bad, various forest types grow across 120 hectares, including spruce and mountain and Scots pine.
Hiking Trails with Different Destinations
The Albula Railway Adventure Trail runs in three stages between the Albula Tunnel and the Landwasser Viaduct. Along the way, it offers insights into the technology, culture and daily life of the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula Valley. The third stage leads from Filisur to the Landwasser Viaduct and back to Filisur; it is an easy hike on well-maintained paths.
The Trans-Parc-Ela Three-Pass Hike offers a longer route through the area: it leads from Preda via Val Tschitta, Furschela da Tischtta, Lai Grond, Pass d’Ela, Pass digls Orgels and Lai Tigiel to Savognin. The Senda Segantini also starts in Savognin, but continues to the Upper Engadine. Its stages link places associated with the artist. The routes therefore differ both in their stated destinations and in their thematic focus.
Water Trails and Seasonal Experiences
The ansaina water trail brings the many facets of water in the cultural landscape to life at eleven stops. You can reach it by taking the Rhaetian Railway to Tiefencastel or Filisur, then the PostBus to Alvaneu Bad. Savognin is connected by PostBus from Tiefencastel; you can reach Tiefencastel from Chur by Rhaetian Railway or PostBus. Check timetables before you travel.
At Lai Barnagn bathing lake, swimming and the hire of stand-up paddleboards, rowing boats and pedal boats are available. Facilities and rentals are seasonal, so check current availability. In winter, the closed Albula Pass becomes the Preda–Bergün sledging run. As seasonal access may vary, it is worth checking the latest conditions. In summer, the Landwasser Express takes visitors directly to the Landwasser Viaduct; check the current operating details in advance. In the La Nars children’s ski area, Switzerland’s longest covered magic carpet runs through a 171-metre-long tunnel. Winter operations are seasonal.
Regional products and how they are made can also be discovered in Savognin: Buteia regiunala sells products from Parc Ela, including delicacies, handicrafts, souvenirs and gift baskets from producers in the park area. Tours at the Nossa Caschareia cheese dairy show how Savognin hay-milk mountain cheese is made, where it matures and how the milk gets from the alp to the dairy. Tours are seasonal or require booking for specific dates; check the latest dates.
Discover more destinations: Alvaneu, Bivio, Cunter, Surava, Lantsch/Lenz, Savognin, Alvaschein, BergĂĽn, Vaz/Obervaz, Wiesen, Brienz/Brinzauls, Filisur, Mons, Tiefencastel, Sur, Alvaneu Bad, Riom-Parsonz, Tinizong-Rona, Salouf, Mutten, Schmitten, Stierva, Marmorera.
Go to the main travel overview: GraubĂĽnden.
