Nufenen in the Rheinwald: Trails and Village History

Nufenen in the Rheinwald: Location and Landscape

Nufenen is the second-highest village in the Rheinwald’s trough-shaped valley, which runs from west to east. It lies on the left bank of the Hinterrhein, opposite the mouth of the Areuabach. The Areua is a pristine mountain stream and considered a rarity; a trail leads through unspoiled nature to Alp de Rog. Deep blue pools form repeatedly along the stream, while water levels vary seasonally. The river, stream, and valley give the surroundings a tangible context when choosing Nufenen as a travel destination.

Hiking: Circular Routes and Passes

A circular route through the high valleys of Val Curciusa and Val Vignun runs from Nufenen via Alp de Rog, Bochetta de Curciusa, Pian Cales, Cassina da Vignun, and Strec de Vignun, returning to the village. Conditions on this route can vary depending on the season and weather. Another circular hike heads down the valley toward Gadastatt and Gadastettli, crosses the Hinterrhein to Schöna Boda, and returns to Nufenen along forest tracks through alpine mountain meadows beside the river. The two loops therefore differ mainly in their routes: one passes through two high valleys and over named passes, while the other crosses the Hinterrhein and follows the meadows along its banks.

A hike from Nufenen to San Bernardino Dorf is also described: it leads over the Vignonepass and the Strec de Vicnun, following the Areua into Val Curciusa. The highest point is at 2,373 metres. Part of the ascent is off-trail, but marked. If you are planning a route between the villages, distinguish this trail from the circular routes that return to Nufenen.

The Rheinwald Village Trail runs via Medels and Nufenen to Hinterrhein and can be walked in either direction. In Nufenen, you reach the village centre via the prepared village road. Several stops allow for different route options; the PostBus is one option for the return trip to Splügen. Check the timetable for the day of your hike if you want to combine your route with a bus journey.

Walser History and Village Life

WalseRama is housed in a historic Suste dating from 1680 and operates as a museum. Its cultural and historical exhibits offer a glimpse into the Walser people’s historical daily life. Nufenen’s Reformed church brings together further historical and architectural features: founded in 1643, it is a protected monument of the Canton of Graubünden and has a tower with a distinctive onion dome. Nufenen’s local history can thus be explored through both a museum housed in a historic Suste and a church with a clearly identifiable architectural feature.

The wider Rheinwald also reveals an architectural contrast: large, Italianate-looking stone houses stand right beside the Walser people’s sun-browned wooden houses. The village goat-keeping tradition offers another glimpse of local life. In Nufenen and Hinterrhein, dozens of village goats are driven out to pasture every day and return to their stalls in the evening. The Nufenen dairy was founded in 1846 as the first cooperatively run dairy in Graubünden. In the 1970s, it developed the first original Graubünden mountain cheese. There is also a restaurant with a large car park at the exit from Nufenen.

Short Excursions and Getting There

For a shorter walk, the hiking trail from Nufenen toward Medels leads to the Schwarzwald Nufenen fire pit. It can be reached in about 30 minutes on foot; the route has around 50 metres of elevation gain and is also suitable for children. Use of the fire pit may depend on the current forest fire notices. This route is therefore clearly different from the hikes through the high valleys or to San Bernardino described above.

Nufenen, San Bernardino, Splügen, Medels, and Hinterrhein can be reached by PostBus. Combined with the different routes, this offers a guide for planning: you can centre your stay on Nufenen and its circular trails, or combine a hike with a connection between the villages.

Discover more destinations: Cazis, Thusis, Präz, Zillis, Trans, Fardün, Innerferrera, Andeer.

Back to the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.