Discover Avers: Walser culture and high-alpine trails

If you are looking for a hotel in Avers, its high altitude, Walser culture and varied trails provide a clear starting point for planning your trip. Juf is a Walser village at 2,124 m and is considered the highest year-round inhabited village in Europe. Avers-Juf lies at 2,126 m above sea level and is described as Europe’s highest year-round inhabited settlement. The two place names each refer to a distinct elevation and classification.

Walser culture and historic trails

Walser houses are scattered throughout the high valley of Avers, some more than 400 years old. Walser traditions are still upheld today, and the Walser dialect is still spoken. The Alte Averserstrasse also tells the story of travel through the valley: the historic trail from Juf to the Roffla Gorge is protected by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Graubünden. Along the road are larger and smaller natural stone bridges, carefully restored over the past ten years. Glacial mills can be found in the bed of the Averserrhein.

Another connection between local history and the trails can be found on the Innerferrera–Juppa stage, which passes the 14th-century valley church in Cresta. The Avers muleteers’ trail follows the historic Averserstrasse from Innerferrera to Juppa, passing bridges, steep gorges, historic Walser houses and quiet Alpine landscapes. Along the route, you can take in a range of historical and scenic highlights without focusing on just one place.

Compare hikes and tours

The marmot nature trail runs from the Loretschhus near Avers-Juppa to Alp Bergalga, also known as Olta Stofel, at 2,074 m. The round trip takes about two hours. The trail is suitable for pushchairs and can also be used by wheelchair users with an aid such as a Swisstrac. There is a barbecue area and a playground at the start. The nature trail therefore combines a manageable estimated duration with practical information about trail conditions and facilities at the starting point.

A different kind of tour is the circular hike to the Bandseen lakes from Avers-Cresta: it is 9.3 km long, with 690 m of ascent and 690 m of descent. Lower Bandsee lies at 2,599 m above sea level and Upper Bandsee at 2,643 m; both lakes can be reached from Avers-Cresta. The trail to Upper Bandsee is well marked. The key planning details differ between the two tours: the approximate duration for the marmot nature trail, and the distance and elevation gain and loss for the Bandseen loop.

The Juppa–Soglio stage climbs gently to Alp Bergalga and continues to Bergalga Pass. It crosses a high-alpine lake landscape between 2,500 m and just under 2,800 m above sea level, then crosses the pass into the Bregaglia Valley. For those interested in a cycling tour, the listed elevation difference between Andeer in Val Schons and Juf in Avers is 1,150 m. The Andeer–Juf cycle race takes place once a year; check the current edition and date before travelling.

Winter trails and seasonal activities

The classic cross-country ski trail in Avers-Juf is about 4 km long. It starts in the village of Avers-Juf, leads to Jufer Alp and then returns to the village. Track preparation depends on conditions. In the Avers ski area, gentle slopes alternate with sporty runs; children can try their first turns at the pony lift. Two T-bar lifts and a pony lift serve eight kilometres of pistes. This infrastructure information may change. Night skiing is available at the Cawetta lift; check the current winter programme before travelling. The natural ice rink in Avers-Juppa is at 2,000 m. Check whether it is currently open before visiting.

The Bergalga winter hiking trail runs from Juppa via Vorder Bergalga and Nüwa Stofel and back to Juppa. Along the way, there are views of Piz Platta, Gletscherhorn, Wengahorn and Grauhörner. Depending on the season and conditions, chamois, ibex, golden eagles and bearded vultures may be spotted; sightings are not guaranteed. A more demanding winter option is the ski route from Juf to Mingalunhorn: it requires good fitness, careful preparation and technical mountaineering skills. Along the way, it offers views of the Avers high valley, Madris, the Albula Valley and the Bregaglia Valley.

Juf can be reached by PostBus.

Discover more destinations: Innerferrera, Masein, Flerden, Sarn, Paspels, Tschappina, Cazis, Ausserferrera.

Return to the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.