Above Sur lies Alp Flix, at around 2,000 metres above sea level; a snowshoe trail and the Alp Flix bike route also start in the village. There are also two distinct ways to explore the past: the church of S. Catregna (St Catherine) and the Son Roc chapel. The landscape, outdoor activities and architectural history each offer their own focus for planning a trip.
Alp Flix: Moorland and Biodiversity
Alp Flix is classified as a moorland of national importance and is home to remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. Together with its location above Sur, at around 2,000 metres above sea level, this gives the area a clear focus on nature. For your selection, this landscape sits alongside the specific architectural and religious histories of S. Catregna and Son Roc: those wishing to include both nature and culture in their trip planning will find two clearly distinct themes here.
Snowshoe Trail, Bike Route and a Valley Connection
The Alp Flix snowshoe trail starts in the village of Sur on the Julier Pass road. From there, it leads via Plang Grond, Son Roc, Tigias, Tga d'Meir, Tgalucas and Cuorts back to Sur. The route therefore returns to its starting point and lists a sequence of intermediate places that clearly outlines its course.
On the Alp Flix bike route, the tour’s steepest section begins in Sur, with the climb up to Alp Flix. Through the villages of Sur and Mulegns, the route follows the Julia River back to the destination. The routes therefore differ both in how you travel and in their described courses: the snowshoe trail focuses on its sequence of waypoints and return to Sur, while the bike route features the climb from Sur and the return along the Julia.
Another trail runs between the Marmorera dam and Sur and was built in summer 2022. It moved the existing SwitzerlandMobility route away from the dangerous national road. The trail was also an important step towards creating a route connecting the valley from Tiefencastel to Bivio. This places the trail in a broader regional context without equating it with the Alp Flix routes.
Churches and Chapel History
The church of S. Catregna, also known as St Catherine, was first mentioned in 1510 and replaced by a new building in 1663. The base of its north tower is medieval. The church thus brings together distinct points in time: its first mention, the later rebuilding and an older structural element.
The Walser, who settled on Alp Flix around the middle of the 14th century, are believed to have built the Son Roc chapel. The chapel was originally dedicated to Saints Placidus and Sigisbertus; later, Saint Roch was chosen as its patron saint. The wooden altar is dated to 1660. Taken together, the presumed attribution to the builders, the change of patron saint and the altar’s date offer different ways of exploring the chapel’s history. In comparison with S. Catregna, the focus here is particularly on religious dedication and a specific furnishing.
Getting There and Seasonal Planning
Sur can be reached by PostBus from Tiefencastel. During the summer season, the Bus alpin takes visitors from Sur up to Alp Flix. These are two distinct parts of the journey: travelling to Sur and the seasonal onward trip up to Alp Flix. Check the timetable before travelling, and check the current operating days for Bus alpin.
The time of year can also be a practical starting point when choosing a holiday apartment in Sur. For a summer stay, you can include the seasonal bus connection to Alp Flix in your plans; for a winter outing on the snowshoe trail, check local conditions in advance. This way, you can begin your search by considering the activity you have in mind and the right time to travel.
Discover more destinations: Stierva, Vaz/Obervaz, Mutten, Filisur, Salouf, Riom-Parsonz, Mons, Marmorera.
Back to the overarching travel overview: Albula.
