Sumvitg: Chapels, churches and paths through history

Sumvitg in the canton of Graubünden draws attention to church and chapel architecture, local memories and trails through the mountain landscape. Its themes range from early church records to a chapel built by Peter Zumthor, along with a Way of the Cross, a themed trail and seasonal activities. If you are planning a stay, Sumvitg can be explored primarily through its cultural heritage and specific places to visit.

Churches and chapels in Sumvitg

The municipality of Sumvitg has twelve chapels and four churches. The Caplutta Sogn Benedetg is well known far beyond the municipal boundaries. The parish church of St John the Baptist in Sumvitg also has a long history: written records attest to it in the 9th and 10th centuries; it was later transferred to Disentis Abbey. The early written records and the later transfer mark different periods in its history.

The Caplutta Sogn Benedetg stands above the village of Sumvitg in the Surselva region of the canton of Graubünden. After an avalanche destroyed the old chapel in 1984, Peter Zumthor built the new chapel in 1989. It is open during the day at all times, except for private events. This exception is important to bear in mind when visiting.

The ruins of the S. Benedetg chapel offer another historical point of reference. The chapel dates from the 9th century, has a horseshoe-shaped choir and was restored in 2013. Sumvitg thus brings together different architectural features and dates: the dating of the ruins and their later restoration, as well as the construction of the new Caplutta in 1989.

Religious trails and personal memories

The Sumvitg–Clavadi Way of the Cross has 14 illustrated stations. They depict Jesus’ journey from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion and burial. The sequence of images gives the trail a clear religious focus and makes the stations a distinct way to explore the cultural history of the place.

The themed trail “Glimpses of Space and Time, Sumvitg” offers a different perspective. At its event stations, local interviewees share stories from their earlier lives. This places two different forms of storytelling side by side: the Way of the Cross depicts a religious sequence of images, while the themed trail draws on personal memories of Sumvitg.

Mountain landscape and seasonal activities

The mountain lake Lag Serein lies near Sumvitg, above Alp da Glivers, at an altitude of 2,260 m. From Alp Glivers, it takes about an hour and a half to reach the lake on foot. This estimated walking time applies to this starting point. Take the prevailing mountain conditions into account when planning your trip.

In summer, the Bus Alpin feeder service on the Rabius–Runcahez route runs directly to hiking trailheads for the Greina plateau within the municipality of Sumvitg. The service operates seasonally. Check the timetable and applicable reservation requirements before travelling.

In the surrounding region, the Nordic Surselva cross-country ski trail follows the Rhine from Trun to Disentis and back. It includes more than 30 kilometres of groomed trails for classic and skating styles. Since the trails are groomed seasonally, this cross-country skiing option differs in timing from the summer hikes to the Greina trailheads.

A local bus has been serving the hamlets of the municipality of Sumvitg since August 2024; since 15 December 2024, it has been integrated into the public transport timetable. For your specific journey, it is best to check the current connections.

Discover more destinations: Rabius, Morissen, Castrisch, Disentis/Mustér, Obersaxen, Schnaus, Cumbels, Waltensburg.

For the broader travel overview: Surselva.