Sur: Alp Flix, Snowshoe Trail and Cultural Heritage

Sur can be explored through different themes: the landscape of Alp Flix, the history of its buildings and chapels, or specific routes. When looking for a hotel in Sur, consider what you want to shape your stay. The Alp Flix snowshoe trail starts in the village; the steepest section of the Alp Flix bike trail also starts here, with the climb up to Alp Flix. The two routes differ in how you travel and where they go: the snowshoe trail passes several waypoints before returning to Sur, while the bike trail’s steepest section begins in Sur with the climb up to Alp Flix.

Alp Flix: Moorland and Biodiversity

Alp Flix lies above Sur at an altitude of around 2,000 metres. It is designated a moorland of national importance and is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. Its protected status and biodiversity make the landscape a clear focus for travellers who want to choose their destination based on nature.

Alp Flix is also linked to the history of the Son Roc Chapel. The Walser people who settled on Alp Flix around the middle of the 14th century are believed to have built the chapel. The qualification matters: this attribution remains a presumed historical interpretation. If you consider natural and cultural heritage together when planning your trip, Son Roc connects these themes with the history of settlement on Alp Flix.

Churches and Chapel History

The Church of S. Catregna (St Catherine) was first mentioned in 1510 and replaced by a new building in 1663. The lower section of its north tower dates back to the Middle Ages. The first mention, the new building and the tower’s lower section are distinct historical details about the church and should not be conflated into a single construction date.

The history of the Son Roc Chapel can also be traced through specific details. It was originally dedicated to Saints Placidus and Sigisbertus; later, Saint Roch was chosen as its patron saint. Its wooden altar is dated to 1660. The sequence of the original dedication, the later choice of patron saint and the dated altar offers several distinct points of reference if you are interested in the religious history of the area.

How the Snowshoe Trail and Bike Trail Differ

The Alp Flix snowshoe trail starts in the village of Sur, by the Julier Pass road. From there, it passes through Plang Grond, Son Roc, Tigias, Tga d'Meir, Tgalucas and Cuorts before returning to Sur. The route therefore starts and ends in the village, following a set sequence of waypoints in between. If you plan to hike the snowshoe trail, check local winter conditions before your trip.

The steepest section of the Alp Flix bike trail starts in Sur: the climb up to Alp Flix. On the way back to the finish, the bike trail follows the River Julia through the villages of Sur and Mulegns. The snowshoe trail passes a series of waypoints before returning to Sur; on the bike trail, the climb up to Alp Flix is the steepest section, and on the return route the trail follows the Julia through Sur and Mulegns.

Another route connects the Marmorera dam and Sur. When the trail was created in summer 2022, the existing SwitzerlandMobility route was moved away from the dangerous main road. The trail was also an important step towards creating a route linking the valley from Tiefencastel to Bivio. The trail itself runs between the Marmorera dam and Sur.

Getting There and Seasonal Connection

Sur is accessible by PostBus from Tiefencastel. During the summer season, the Bus Alpin takes visitors from Sur to Alp Flix. As this bus runs seasonally, check current operating days and times before your trip. This means you will need to consider two separate connections when planning: the PostBus to Sur and the seasonal onward connection to Alp Flix.

Discover more destinations: Filisur, Wiesen, Vaz/Obervaz, Mons, Bivio, Alvaschein, Tinizong-Rona, Alvaneu Bad.

For the overarching travel overview: Albula.