Affeier – Hiking, Chapel and Mining History

Affeier can be explored through two distinct themes: paths through the mountain landscape and evidence of the village’s history and mining past. An easy winter hike starts and ends in the village; at the same time, the second section of the Via Mundaun passes through Affeier. The Chapel of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the mine provide further historical connections to the place. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether to focus on hiking, local religious history or mining.

Hiking in the mountain landscape

Obersaxen Mundaun is an alpine panoramic region with numerous hiking trails and sweeping views of the mountain landscape. Walser and Romansh cultural traditions, historic chapels and a vibrant village culture come together in the region. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider cultural themes alongside hiking.

The easy winter hike starts and ends in Affeier. Its route passes through Pifal, Markal, Meierhof, Cresta and Misanenga. The second section of the Via Mundaun is different: it runs from Meierhof via Affeier to Misanenga, past typical Walser houses, and loops around the eastern flank of Piz Mundaun. When choosing a route, you can therefore opt for a hike that returns to Affeier or a section that continues through several villages.

Chapel, tradition and winter sports history

The Chapel of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in Affeier. Until 1967, a rogation procession to Affeier was held each year on 2 July to celebrate the patronal feast. The chapel and procession offer different ways to explore the area’s religious history: one focuses on a building, the other on a custom with a clearly defined date.

Obersaxen’s development into a winter sports centre is also part of the region’s history. After the first ski lift was built in 1952, Obersaxen rapidly developed into a winter sports centre after 1970. This development forms a distinct historical context alongside the hiking trails and the older history of the village and its religious life.

Affeier mine and its geology

The Affeier mine is one of two mines in the municipality that are still known and accessible today. Visits are possible; check the local arrangements in advance. Silver-bearing copper ores were extracted at the mine from Verrucano rock, a breccia ranging through to a conglomerate from the Permian period. The ore consisted mainly of fahlore.

To understand the geology, it helps to distinguish between the ore and the rock: fahlore refers to the predominant type of ore; Verrucano is the rock from which the silver-bearing copper ores were extracted. This provides another way to explore Affeier’s mining history through its raw materials and geological setting. If you are interested in the extraction of mineral resources as well as hiking trails and architecture, this offers another way to discover the place when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Giraniga, Friggahüs, Platta.

View the main travel overview: Obersaxen.