Via Spluga

The Via Spluga connects Thusis in Graubünden, Switzerland with Chiavenna in Italy via the Splügen Pass (Italian: Passo dello Spluga). It has a length of about 75 km. Natural beauty, like the Viamala gorge and cultural heritage (e.g. the church of Zillis) make for a very diverse multi-day hike.

Understand

The trail used to be one of the most important mountain passes in the Alps for many centuries. The central point and the climax (both physically and thematically) of the trail is the Splügen Pass, which was already in use in the Roman era. From 1818 to 1823 the modern road was built at the behest of the Austrian authorities, then ruling the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia in the south. In 1843 the road was further expanded with a 312 m (1,024 ft) long avalanche gallery, a fairly major engineering effort for the time; today, the gallery is out of use but significant efforts are being taken to preserve it. Plans to build a railroad line across Splügen Pass were abandoned in favour of the Gotthard railway opened in 1882. Since the opening of the San Bernardino road tunnel in 1967, the pass has lost its former importance; it is not kept open in winter. It is now a quiet pass where essential portions of the historical roads have survived allowing a good historical review for hikers.

The pass road connects the Swiss Hinterrhein valley and Splügen in the canton of Graubünden with the Valle San Giacomo and Chiavenna in the Italian province of Sondrio, the road continuing to Lake Como. It is overlooked by Pizzo Tambo and the Surettahorn, on its western and eastern side respectively. On the Italian side of the pass is Montespluga, a small three-street village which is cut off from both Italy and Switzerland during the winter.

The trail is paved and marked. It can be walked in four days. Cumulative elevation gain is approx. 3,600 m (~12,000 ft).

Route information

SwitzerlandMobility route guide.
ViaSpluga website in English.

Prepare

For more information on this topic, see the Hiking#Prepare article.

The towns and villages on the route have hotels and inns. There are also some campsites and mountain huts. Plan your route and book accommodation before you start.

Get in

Thusis railway station, 46.6982°, 9.4405°. has trains from Chur and St. Moritz. 2022-11-05
Chiavenna railway station, 46.3196°, 9.40507°. has trains from Milan and Colico. 2022-11-05

Walk

Thusis, 46.68854°, 9.43282°. is a town at 720m with a population of 3000. 2022-11-05
Viamala, 46.661543°, 9.449208°. a gorge, where the 1976 film Heart of Glass was filmed. 2022-11-05
Zillis-Reischen, 46.633056°, 9.433056°. is a village with a population of 400 at 945m. The 12th century church of San Martino is famous for its painted wood panelled ceiling. 2022-11-05
Andeer, 46.603°, 9.4264°. is a village at 982m with a population of 900. There is a mineral bath and a campsite. 2022-11-05
Splügen, 46.549722°, 9.316667°. is a village at 1,475m, with a population of 400. It has the 25 bed Hotel Piz Tasmbo. 2022-11-05
Splügen Pass, 46.505528°, 9.330389°. is the highest point on the walk at 2114m. The pass has been used since Roman times. It is no longer a major route since San Bernardino road tunnel opened in 1967. Here you cross the border into Italy. 2022-11-05
Montespluga, 46.48906°, 9.33645°. 2022-11-05
Isola, 46.4433°, 9.3326°. 2022-11-05
Campodolcino, 46.4051°, 9.353°. is at 1047m wit a population of 1000. See the history of the route at the Museum of the Via Spluga and Val San Giacomo. 2022-11-05
Chiavenna, 46.316667°, 9.4°. is a historic town at an elevation of 333m, with a population of 7000. 2022-11-05

Stay safe

For more information on this topic, see the Hiking#Stay safe article.