Bergün – Railway Heritage and Mountain Hikes

Bergün lies on the UNESCO World Heritage Albula–Bernina railway line of the Rhaetian Railway. The village brings together railway history and historic village architecture, with hiking trails in the surrounding area; in winter, there is also sledging. To plan your trip, you can compare options by trail length, walking time and theme: would you like to learn about the railway line, take a shorter circular hike or experience the winter landscape on a sledging run?

Railway line, village and history

The Albula Railway Adventure Trail runs from Preda via Bergün to Filisur and offers insights into the history of the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Albula/Bernina landscape. One section connects Preda and Bergün: it is seven kilometres long and classified as a moderately difficult mountain hike. The estimated walking time is between two hours 15 minutes and two hours 45 minutes. The Albula Railway Museum is located right next to Bergün railway station. There, you can learn about the history of the Rhaetian Railway; the museum also features a driving simulator in a Crocodile locomotive and a Clà Ferrovia children’s tour.

The village itself also tells its own story. Along Dorfstrasse, houses with bay windows facing the street and sgraffito façades stand side by side. The Platzturm La tuor is a landmark of the village: it was built as a refuge and defensive tower and used as a prison during railway construction. The local museum is housed in a former farmhouse built between 1560 and 1600. In the village centre, a true-to-scale model of the Preda–Bergün line shows the route of the Rhaetian Railway at a scale of 1:87 (H0m).

During the late Gothic renovation of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Bergün around 1500, an Italian itinerant painter created a cycle of frescoes, including scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ. The church can be visited during the day via the gallery.

Hiking: a short loop or a longer route

The Bergün–Funtanislas–Bergün circular hike is 3.9 kilometres long, classified as easy and takes about one hour and ten minutes. Funtanislas is considered a green oasis on the valley floor. The route passes rock overhangs resembling stalactites and moss-covered features known as “Tierspitäler”. Seasonal ground conditions may affect whether the trail can be used.

Another circular hike runs from Bergün via Latsch and Stuls and back. It is 8.6 kilometres long and takes about two hours and 30 minutes. From Latsch, the route offers lovely views over the valley. The trail from Bergün via Latsch to Stugl/Stuls also leads to the Romanesque Church of St John, whose Gothic wall paintings are well preserved. You can compare the two circular routes by their stated lengths and approximate durations; their destinations and experiences along the way also differ.

The Ela Circular Tour starts and ends in Bergün and runs via the Ela Hut and Ela Pass, then over Fuorcla Tschitta to Naz and back. From Ela Pass, the tour leads to three mountain lakes. Various types of rock are clearly visible in the area. This route therefore combines several named landmarks with a geological perspective on the surrounding landscape.

Sledging and winter trails

The Preda–Bergün sledging run is a six-kilometre descent from Preda down to Bergün in the valley. It passes through the winter landscape and offers views of the surrounding mountains. Trains run from Bergün to Preda every half hour; frequency may vary depending on the season and operating conditions. Check the timetable before planning your trip.

The Darlux–Bergün sledging run is 4.5 kilometres long. Compared with the Preda–Bergün run, it has tighter curves and a steeper gradient. It ends at the entrance to the village, next to the chairlift valley station. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in their described course. You can weigh up the options based on these specific features, rather than choosing solely by the name of the starting point.

Nature trails and other activities

Large colonies of ibex and chamois live near Bergün, in Val Tuors. The Nutcracker Trail explores another nature theme: at seven interactive stations, you can learn more about the nutcracker’s calls and its role as the “gardener of the forest”. The trail starts at the La Diala mountain station. From Bergün railway station, you can reach it on foot via the Darlux chairlift valley station; the chairlift takes you to the start at the mountain station.

The Bergün Timber Trail is suitable for pushchairs and has nine stations with information, games, puzzles or short activities. About halfway along, at station 5, there is a shelter with a barbecue area. If you’re looking for a more active experience in the water, Bergbadi Bergün has a 50-metre pool with a slide, as well as a children’s pool with a fountain. In cool weather, a heated hot tub and a barrel sauna are available; the barrel sauna can be booked in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lantsch/Lenz, Alvaneu, Brienz/Brinzauls, Filisur, Tiefencastel, Tinizong-Rona, Wiesen, Alvaschein.

Back to the main travel overview: Albula.