Sumvitg: Discover hiking and cultural heritage

Hiking routes and cultural sites offer different ways to spend your time in Sumvitg. You can choose a stage along the valley slope, climb to a mountain lake or explore the churches, chapels and history of the municipality. The routes differ in their starting points, destinations and the topics described along the way.

Hiking routes and alpine destinations

The Senda Sursilvana stage starts in Sumvitg and follows the left-hand side of the valley to Brigels. The route runs high above the Surselva valley basin, past steep mountain streams that later flow into the Vorderrhein, and through villages in Graubünden. This describes both the starting point and destination, as well as the character of the landscape along this stage.

For a shorter introduction to the area’s ecclesiastical heritage, take the church and chapel walk in the municipality: it passes five different churches and chapels and can start in either Rabius or Sumvitg. The starting points and directions of the circular route “Views in Space and Time” are different: it starts at Rabius railway station in the direction of Surrein, or at Sumvitg/Cumpadials railway station in the direction of Cumpadials or Surrein. The project connects the landscape with cultural themes, while the church and chapel walk focuses on religious buildings.

Lag Serein is an alpine destination. The lake lies above Alp da Glivers at an altitude of 2,260 metres. The route passes through Sogn Benedetg, Crap Nér and Alp Glivers; the climb on foot from Alp Glivers to the lake takes about an hour and a half. This time refers to the ascent from the alp, not the entire route. Trail conditions can vary, so it is a good idea to check conditions before setting out.

The Alp Glivers circular route runs from Sumvitg through Val Sogn Benedetg, via Alp Glivers and Clavadi, and back to Sumvitg. To reach the Piz Avat route, you can take the Rhaetian Railway from Disentis or Ilanz to Sumvitg, then continue by taxi to Sogn Benedetg or Siltginas. The summit trail follows an exposed ridge to a summit cross and a 360-degree mountain panorama. As conditions and safety requirements vary depending on the time of year, check them before your hike. You should also check transport connections and road access before setting off.

Chapels, history and cultural heritage

The ruins of Sogn Benedetg Chapel feature a horseshoe-shaped choir dating from the 9th century and are the oldest documented chapel of this type. On 10 February 1984, the chapel was largely destroyed by a powerful powder avalanche; it was restored in 2013. This site therefore brings together early architectural history and a much later period of preservation. In the wider Sumvitg area, Peter Zumthor also built a wooden chapel in Sogn Benedetg between 1985 and 1988.

The Archiv cultural Sumvitg in the schoolhouse in Surrein documents the municipality’s history through texts, images, audio recordings and objects. The “Views in Space and Time” project offers another way to explore cultural heritage, crafts and everyday life in the past: it presents these themes through the memories of contemporary witnesses and viewpoints set up as event stations in the landscape. The archive focuses on documenting the past through various media, while the project connects memories with stations in the landscape.

Above Sumvitg, near the hamlet of Clavadi on the mountain slope, the ruins of the small tower castle of Tuor stand on a rocky outcrop. It is considered a possible residence of an official of the Imperial Abbey of Disentis. This cautious interpretation is part of the site’s historical context and should not be understood as a confirmed identification.

Discover more destinations: Ilanz, Disentis/Mustér, Suraua, Vella Gr, Siat, Waltensburg, Tujetsch, Andiast

Return to the main travel overview: Surselva.