Surcuolm is a village in the municipality of Obersaxen Mundaun in the canton of Graubünden and in the Surselva region. A stay here offers a variety of things to discover: an easy hike along the edge of the forest, a difficult summit route, a snowshoe trail and the village’s history. You can plan your outings according to whether you prefer to explore trails, take in the scenery or learn more about the village.
Hiking between the forest edge and the summit
The Witzweg in Surcuolm is an easy hike along the edge of the forest. Signs invite you to stop and enjoy a smile. The difficult summit route from Surcuolm to Piz Mundaun offers a different kind of hike: it is 11.6 kilometres long. The route follows a forest and meadow path to the Bündner Rigi restaurant. When choosing between the two options, the character of the trail and its stated difficulty provide a guide: signs along the forest edge on one route, a summit route described as difficult on the other.
Another option is the Hilarius audio adventure trail at the upper edge of the village. This 3.5-kilometre discovery route passes wooden figures that tell stories, which you can listen to on your smartphone by scanning a QR code. The route is currently marked as closed. Check before travelling whether it is possible to visit.
Snowshoe trail and enduro tour
The signposted snowshoe trail starts at the old sawmill above Surcuolm. From there, it leads through forest clearings, past old stables and across broad alpine pastures. This sequence of landscape features defines the character of the route. When planning a winter visit, bear in mind that snow and avalanche conditions can affect access.
The enduro tour from Piz Mundaun to Ilanz also includes a specifically described section: between Surcuolm and Cuolm Sura, it involves a climb of 240 metres in elevation. Route conditions and lift-assisted access may vary depending on the season. Bear this seasonal caveat in mind if you include the tour in your plans.
Alpine panorama from Piz Mundaun
The viewing platform on Piz Mundaun offers unobstructed views of the Alpine panorama. Swisstopo Digirama panels help you identify peaks, valleys, villages and alpine pastures. They give the panorama specific names and points of reference: as you look out across the landscape, you can try to find the features described. This offers a different way to experience the mountain from the route itself, focusing on viewing and interpreting the scenery.
Local history and cultural identity
The people of Surcuolm have traditionally spoken Romansh and are Catholic. This distinguishes them from the people of the neighbouring settlements of Flond and Luven. Surcuolm is home to the Catholic Church of St George. A chapel dedicated to Saint George, dating from 1603, was demolished on 25 April 1856 to make way for a new church. The new church was solemnly consecrated in 1858 by Auxiliary Bishop Albert von Haller.
The village’s architectural history also tells a story of change. Around the turn of the 20th century, successful people returned to Surcuolm and built imposing stone houses that shaped the village’s appearance. Surcuolm developed from a typical mountain farming village into a tourist destination and is connected to the Obersaxen Mundaun ski area on Piz Mundaun. Together with the church’s history, these milestones offer insight into the village’s development, so the mountain landscape need not be the sole focus.
A product from Surcuolm
Dubler in Surcuolm sells homemade dried meat and a variety of sausages. If you are planning a visit, check in advance what visiting options are currently available.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Martin, Sumvitg, Igels, Ilanz, Schluein, Sumvitg, Castrisch, Vals.
For the regional travel overview: Surselva.
