Bivio lies at the foot of the Julier and Septimer Alpine passes. Hiking, churches and seasonal activities offer different ways to experience the village and its surroundings. The history of the pass routes is also part of the picture: Bivio’s settlement history is closely linked to traffic across the Julier and Septimer passes.
Landscape and connections
The passes connect Bivio with the Bergell and the Engadin. Another important regional route leads over the Stallerberg into the Avers, which is entirely inhabited by German-speaking Walser people. Bivio also lies at the crossroads of different languages and cultures; important influences came from the south, from the Bergell. These connections give the routes around the village a cultural dimension, too.
Bivio has a high-alpine climate like nearby Upper Engadin. In the wider area lies Alp Flix, a nationally protected moorland with various fens and raised bogs protected under federal law. It forms a distinct landscape feature in the surroundings of Bivio. When choosing the region, you can include this natural setting in your travel plans alongside the passes and cultural attractions.
Churches and local history
The parish church of Son Giagl houses a Late Gothic winged altar from the workshop of Ivo Strigel in Memmingen. The church is believed to have been preserved in its present form as a single-nave Romanesque building from the time it was constructed.
The Church of St. Gall is also associated with a dated chapter in local history. The decades-long dispute over the church ended on 9 August 1657 at a meeting of the Three Leagues in Chur. For another church visit, the Reformed church in Bivio is at ground level and accessible to wheelchair users. If you have specific requirements regarding door width, it is best to confirm the details before your visit.
Hikes, village trails and cycling route
The Bivio–Stallerberg–Juf hike starts behind Hotel Grischuna. It first passes lush meadows and Crap da Radons, then climbs to Stallerberg with beautiful views and abundant wildlife, before descending to Juf. This connects the landscape along the route with the region’s links to the Avers. Another hike leads from Bivio via Alp Natons, Gruba, Salategnas, Lais Blos and Lai Neir to Sur. For both hikes, conditions on the trails can change, so it is worth checking them before setting out.
The KrimiSpass Bivio crime trail runs across the village on asphalt, gravel paths and cobblestones. If you would rather explore a cycling route, the Septimer Pass e-bike tour offers a different route description: it starts at the tourist office, first passes through the village and begins climbing shortly after Hotel Post. It initially follows a paved road, changing to gravel after about one kilometre. The route is wide throughout and has no technical obstacles; surfaces and conditions can change.
Climbing and seasonal activities
The Bivio climbing garden has eleven routes on basalt cliffs up to 20 metres high. The stated difficulty range is from UIAA grade 3 to UIAA grade 7. During the summer season, there is also an opportunity to climb on Thursdays under professional supervision and with equipment provided. This is a seasonal activity; check the dates before your trip and follow local safety instructions when using the climbing garden.
There are various options in winter, too: three ski lifts serve an area with natural-snow pistes in Bivio. The high-alpine location offers good opportunities for winter sports, although seasonal operations may vary. The Bivio natural ice rink is also located in the village centre and is lit every evening until 9:30 p.m. As operating details can vary by season, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting.
Using your smartphone, you can explore and listen to legends and myths about Bivio on the Bivio Legends Trail. Check in advance whether the required app is available. This lets you include the activity in your visit to the village without confusing it with the hikes or seasonal sports opportunities.
Plan your journey
One described train and bus connection runs from Zurich to Chur on the SBB, then to Tiefencastel by the Rhaetian Railway or PostBus, and on to Bivio by PostBus. Connections and timetables may change; check the times for your travel date. This allows you to coordinate your journey with the hikes, sightseeing or seasonal activities that interest you during your stay in Bivio.
Discover more destinations: Riom-Parsonz, Alvaneu, Mons, Cunter, Salouf, BergĂĽn, Tinizong-Rona, Tiefencastel.
Back to the regional travel overview: Albula.
