Selma combines a landscape of historic routes with a parish church whose furnishings span several centuries. The Mulattiera da Selma a Landarenca, the Via Calanca and the Chiesa dei Santi Giacomo e Pietro each offer a different focus. Hiking and sacred architecture can thus be enjoyed as different facets of a stay in Selma.
Historic Routes and Hiking Trails
The Mulattiera da Selma a Landarenca is a historic route of national importance connecting Selma with Landarenca. It is 2.20 kilometres long; the ascent covers 365 metres of elevation gain and takes about one hour. Much of its original historic fabric has been preserved. Along a large part of the route, a drainage channel is visible at the edge of the path on the valley side.
For a longer itinerary, compare it with the second stage of the Via Calanca: it leads from Santa Maria to Selma, is 10.3 kilometres long and takes about 3.5 hours. Compared with the approximately one-hour Mulattiera, it is the longer walk. Route specifications may be revised; check the information for both routes locally before setting off.
The third stage of the Via Calanca is a family-friendly hike from Arvigo to Rossa that passes through Selma. There are bus stops in every village along this section of the trail, so you can shorten the hike if needed. A section of the hiking trail through the Calanca Valley follows the Calancasca and passes through Selma. The route’s first truly flat stretch is on the Via Calanca. Check local conditions before setting off, too.
The Sentiero Alpino Calanca is also historically connected with Selma: in 1793, Wilfried Graf from Binningen bought a holiday home there and explored the mountains of the Calanca Valley over the following years. The cable car near Selma goes to Landarenca, a village with attractive Rustici.
Parish Church and Historic Furnishings
The parish church, Chiesa dei Santi Giacomo e Pietro, was rebuilt between 1662 and 1667 after the earlier church was destroyed by an avalanche. The choir features wall paintings from the second half of the 17th century and an altar with a painting of the Crucifixion dating from 1680. The aedicule altars date from around 1667. The nave retains a coffered ceiling from 1937. The dates reveal different phases of design: the rebuilding and several details of the choir date to the 17th century, while the ceiling is from a later period.
Getting There and Planning Your Routes
The Mesolcina–Val Calanca PostBus network map, valid from 14 December 2025, lists the Selma, al Pont stop and the Selma cable car stop. Before travelling, check the current timetables so you can plan your journey around the right connections.
From Selma, you can return to Arvigo by PostBus or on foot along the Calancasca mountain stream. This gives you two different options for the return journey: taking the PostBus or following the stream on foot. If you are planning your return trip, check the current connections in advance.
Discover more destinations: Rossa Gr, Roveredo, Braggio, San Bernardino, Soazza, Misox, Santa Maria In Calanca, Verdabbio.
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