Discover Albula: Nature, Hiking Trails and Railway Culture

The Albula region includes the Albula Valley and the Oberhalbstein in the Julia Valley, as well as the six municipalities of Albula/Alvra, Bergün Filisur, Lantsch/Lenz, Schmitten, Surses and Vaz/Obervaz. It ranges from 720 to 3,416 metres above sea level. When planning your trip, it helps to decide whether you want to focus on railway culture and historic buildings, hiking trails and protected areas, or experiences involving water and winter. The region brings together a range of themes that you can prioritise individually when planning your trip.

Nature and protected landscapes

Since 2015, the forest in the Crap Alv forest reserve has been protected as a natural forest; it has not been used since 1951. The reserve is home to three raised bogs of regional importance. For a different perspective on nature, visit Alp Flix, with more than 2,000 animal and plant species. The Ela federal hunting ban district lies around Piz Ela and was established in 1886. Together, these places showcase different aspects of the landscape: forest conservation and bogs, biodiversity, and a hunting ban district with a long history.

Railway culture along trails and at historic structures

The Via Albula/Bernina is a 131-kilometre long-distance hiking route with ten stages. It follows in the footsteps of railway pioneers and passes viaducts, spiral tunnels and historic stations. The Albula Railway Adventure Trail runs in three stages between the Albula Tunnel and the Landwasser Viaduct; along the way, it offers insights into the technology, culture and everyday life of the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula Valley. For route planning, you can choose between a ten-stage long-distance hiking route and a three-stage railway adventure trail. The third stage of the railway adventure trail runs from Filisur to the Landwasser Viaduct and back to Filisur. It is considered an easy hike on well-maintained trails.

The Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur has a 136-metre-long bridge arch. In summer, the Landwasser Express takes visitors directly to the viaduct; check the latest operating details for this seasonal service before travelling.

Museums and historic landmarks

The Albula Railway Museum also serves as the UNESCO Visitor Centre for the Rhaetian Railway. Across four floors, it displays more than 800 exhibits from over 135 years of railway culture in Graubünden. The Bergün Local Museum houses the model railway layout of the Albula Railway Club, depicting the Bergün–Preda UNESCO World Heritage route at a scale of 1:87/HM0. The museum itself is housed in an Engadine-style house built between 1560 and 1600. Its historic rooms offer an insight into the former way of life and culture of the people of Bergün.

The former monastery church of St. Peter Mistail was built around 800, during the time of Charlemagne, and is one of the oldest religious buildings in Switzerland. Its interior features significant wall paintings in four layers. The Schmitten Local Museum uses an audiovisual presentation to offer insights into the period from the 18th to the early 20th century. Topics include farm work, crafts, mining, customs and religious traditions.

Seasonal trails and water experiences

In winter, the closed Albula Pass becomes the Preda–Bergün toboggan run. As winter access can vary by season, check the current situation in advance. At the La Nars children's ski paradise, Switzerland’s longest covered magic carpet runs through a 171-metre-long tunnel; skiing is seasonal. Lai Barnagn bathing lake offers swimming as well as stand-up paddleboard, rowing boat and pedal boat rentals. Check the seasonal facilities and rental availability before planning your visit.

The ansaina Water Trail offers a sensory experience of water’s many facets in the cultural landscape at eleven stations. It can be reached by Rhaetian Railway to Tiefencastel or Filisur, followed by PostBus to Alvaneu Bad. Check connections and timetables before travelling.

Regional products and cheese culture

The Buteia regiunala in Savognin sells regional products from Parc Ela, including delicacies, handicrafts, souvenirs and gift baskets from producers in the park area. The selection may change. Tours at the Nossa Caschareia cheese dairy show how Savognin hay-milk mountain cheese is made, where it matures and how the milk gets from the alp to the dairy. Tours take place seasonally or on specific dates; check the latest dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Wiesen, Vaz/Obervaz, Bergün, Alvaschein, Savognin, Lantsch/Lenz, Surava, Cunter, Bivio, Alvaneu, Brienz/Brinzauls, Filisur, Mons, Tiefencastel, Tinizong-Rona, Sur, Alvaneu Bad, Riom-Parsonz, Salouf, Mutten, Schmitten, Stierva, Marmorera.

For the broader travel overview: Graubünden.