Most of Lake Sufnersee lies within the municipality of Sufers. Sufers is also the only village in the region with direct access to the lake. The lakeside path, mountain valleys and historical sights offer different experiences—from time by the water to a hike of around four hours through the Suretta Valley.
Village and landscape in the Rheinwald
Sufers is a municipality in the Viamala Region in the canton of Graubünden. The clustered village lies in the west-east-running Rheinwald, north of the Hinterrhein, which is dammed to form Lake Sufnersee, and at the mouth of the Steilerbach stream. In the northwest, the municipality includes the four-kilometre-long Steilertal valley, and in the south, the seven-kilometre-long Surettatal valley. Mountain ranges over 2,500 metres high border both sides of the valley; the glaciated Surettahorn rises to 3,026 metres at its head. Around the Steilertal, Teurihorn reaches 2,973 metres, Alperschällihorn 3,039 metres and the Grauhörner, also known as Pizzas d'Anarosa, 3,000 metres.
At Lake Sufnersee and along the circular trail
The circular trail at Lake Sufnersee offers a way to set aside time by the shore. Nine benches along the trail invite you to linger, and there are three official fire pits on the lakeshore. If these facilities are important for your visit, briefly check in advance whether they are available.
Hiking, high-altitude destinations and summer nature
The circular hike through the Surettatal starts and ends in Sufers. It goes around Lake Sufnersee and across the Surettaalp. The 12.30-kilometre route is estimated to take around four hours—a useful timeframe for planning your day. Check seasonal trail conditions before setting out.
Another landscape highlight is Lai da Vons, which lies at 1,991 metres, high above Sufers and Andeer. Alpine flora and views of the mountains of the Rheinwald shape the lake’s appeal. It can be reached on foot or by bicycle; during the summer months, a hiking bus runs from Sufers almost all the way to Lai da Vons. As the bus runs seasonally, it is worth checking the timetable for your planned visit dates.
The hiking area around CufercalhĂĽtte also offers a diverse range of flora and fauna in summer, including ibex and chamois. The hut stands on a grazing terrace on the southern foot of Piz Calandari, at 2,385 metres. Nature lovers can therefore choose between different experiences: the lakeside trail, mountain views at Lai da Vons, and the summer wildlife and plant life around CufercalhĂĽtte.
Cultural history and historic sites
Sufers was first mentioned in a document in 831 as Subere; a church was endowed there ten years later. The Reformed Church of Sufers is a protected historic monument. Its origins date back to 841, while the present building was constructed during the early Bündner Wirren (Grisons turmoil) of 1618 to 1625. The village’s history also includes a change of language: the outer Rheinwald was historically settled by Romansh-speaking people. After the Walser colony in the inner valley expanded to Sufers around 1300, German became the main language.
The Crestawald Fortress Museum presents Swiss military history and insights into the Cold War era in an underground fortress. The fortifications were built from September 1939 to 1940 to block the north-south transit route through Graubünden. The site is open to individual visitors and for guided tours; check the visitor information before your visit. Gilli’s Museum offers a different historical perspective, with household and agricultural objects from several centuries.
Routes for different seasons
Sufers lies on the Via Spluga cultural and long-distance hiking trail and on national cycle route no. 6. The two routes offer different ways to explore the area: hiking and culture on the Via Spluga, and cycling on the cycle route. In winter, the Panell snowshoe trail descends to the Sufers reservoir. The winter hiking trail can be used to continue around the lake to Sufers. Here too, check seasonal conditions before planning your route.
If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, first consider the season and what you would like to focus on. The four-hour circular hike, the high-altitude landscape around Lai da Vons and the seasonal hiking bus offer different ways to plan a summer visit; in winter, the Panell snowshoe trail is another option. For specific visit dates, useful details to check include trail conditions, the bus timetable and the fortress museum’s visitor information.
Discover more destinations: Rodels, Almens, Urmein, Andeer, Rothenbrunnen, Präz, Donath, Zillis
For the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.
