Sta. Maria Val Müstair can be explored through a range of highlights: textile craftsmanship at Tessanda, milling technology at Muglin Mall, and trails that take in historic irrigation channels or alpine landscapes. The time required also varies considerably—from a 60-minute weaving mill tour to hiking routes of around 50 minutes or two to two and a half hours.
Crafts and culture in Sta. Maria
Tessanda is Switzerland’s largest hand-weaving mill. Its production rooms house nearly 30 traditional looms, some of them more than 100 years old. An individually bookable tour lasts 60 minutes and takes visitors through the rooms. It explains textile production from the first to the final step, as well as the history of the weaving mill, founded in 1928. Advance booking is required. The demonstration weaving mill is wheelchair accessible and offers a 12-minute video about hand-weaving on traditional looms.
Muglin Mall dates back to the 17th century, was restored in 2004, and opened to visitors. It is one of Switzerland’s oldest functional mills. Two undershot Strauber waterwheels power both the mill and the fulling mill. Tours offer insight into traditional farming crafts and show the process from grain to bread—a different way to experience traditional work than through the looms at Tessanda.
Whisky enthusiasts can plan a tour with a tasting: it takes place at the HighGlen AG distillery and in the Whisky Museum, where five selected single malt whiskies are sampled. Visitors can also get to know the village on a guided tour. According to the 2025 tourism program, village tours in Sta. Maria were available on request. Topics include personal insights into life, culture and the language of the mountain valley, as well as houses richly decorated with sgraffito. Check current availability.
Hiking trails and landscapes
“Auals” is the Romansh term for historic irrigation channels and ditches in Val Müstair. Selected Auals were restored and made visible in the landscape through an initiative by the Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation, the municipality of Val Müstair and the nature park. The Auals Trail is a circular route starting and ending in Sta. Maria. It is approximately 4.5 kilometres long and takes around two to two and a half hours.
A shorter walking option is the “Sta. Maria Posta–Müstair Somvih” winter panoramic trail: this easy walk covers 3.2 kilometres, takes approximately 50 minutes and descends 99 metres. The two trails therefore differ in both their stated duration and distance. The Via Son Giachen, meanwhile, is partly alpine and can only be hiked all the way through during the warmer seasons. Check that it is passable before setting out; details about the winter trail may also change because of maintenance work or a diversion.
The mountain hike “Sta. Maria, Prà da Vau–Lai da Rims–Alp Sot–Prà da Vau” starts at the PostBus stop in Sta. Maria and heads towards Val Vau. Lai da Rims is a mountain lake at an elevation of 2,396 metres, with crystal-clear water.
The Flower Walks route “A la riva dal Rom—from the source of the Rom to Sta. Maria” offers another perspective on the landscape. It leads from Tschierv to Sta. Maria and shares information about species-rich fens, alluvial forests, flower meadows and semi-dry grasslands. The Flower Walks app combines a hiking guide with a plant identification book; check its availability and content before your trip.
Getting there and planning your visit
One of the described hiking routes is accessible by PostBus. From Zernez or Mals, the PostBus runs hourly to the Sta. Maria Val Müstair, scoula stop. Check the timetable before departure. Advance booking is required for a tour at Tessanda; for village tours, confirm current availability. This will help you plan cultural activities, trail distances and travel times to suit your stay.
Discover more destinations: Tarasp, Ftan, Fuldera, Susch, Schleins, Brail, Sent, Lavin
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