Discover Versam

Versam combines views of the Rhine Gorge with hiking trails, local history and local brewing culture. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Versam, these different highlights can help you decide what to explore while you are there: the landscape, historic buildings or trails through the Safien settlement landscape.

Nature and trails around Versam

The Islabord viewing platform offers both panoramic and deep views into the Rhine Gorge. Its structures are defined by wood and concrete. From Versam Dorf, you can reach the platform on foot in just a few minutes; it is open from May to October. If you are planning a visit, check whether it is accessible before you set off.

Several routes offer different highlights. The circular hike through the Rhine Gorge starts at the school in Versam and follows the Islaplanggen forest trail to the Islabord viewing platform. The Calörtsch bike tour, by contrast, starts at the car park and Islabord viewpoint below Versam Dorf. From there, it climbs through forest and across meadows to Versam and continues to the Calörtsch Maiensäss. The descriptions differ mainly in their starting point and route; no walking or cycling times are provided here.

A tour to Calörtsch offers views of the Flims Plateau and traces of a major landslide from around 10,000 years ago. The Versam circular tour on the edge of the Rhine Gorge also has its own natural highlights: it passes through Lengwald, a natural heath pine forest and habitat for capercaillie. For whitewater and paddling, a Joy of Whitewater whitewater paddling base is listed near Versam; the Vorderrhein is just under 100 metres away.

The Walserweg Safiental follows old church, valley and high-altitude trails through hamlets, forests, alpine meadows and typical Safien settlement landscapes. In three stages, the route runs from Versam via Tenna and Safien Platz to Thalkirch Turra in the upper Safiental. This gives you a choice for your trip planning: trails with a specific destination at Islabord, or a multi-day route through different landscapes.

Architecture and history

Different chapters of local history meet in Versam. Haus Gugalun dates back to a building constructed in 1706 using block construction. Historic fabric is combined with a modern extension added by Peter Zumthor. The contrast between the block construction and the contemporary structure makes the house a distinctive architectural feature of the village.

The history of technology is also part of the story: the historic Versam telephone exchange served 210 subscribers on the local network and was in operation from 1943 to 1989. Today it is disconnected from the telephone network but fully preserved. Its equipment has been conserved in situ and is part of Swiss industrial heritage. It tells a different story of local history from the buildings: how the village was once served by a local telephone network.

The organ and pulpit in the Protestant church commemorate local benefactors and craftsmen. The organ was donated in 1789 by local resident Jakob Gredig. The pulpit was made in 1710 by master craftsmen Felix Prader and Joos Bonadurer from Arezen, who belonged to a local dynasty of carpenters. As early as 1634, the people of Versam, together with the Arezen estate, had decided to build their own Protestant church and cemetery. The journey to church and the transport of the dead to Valendas were arduous. In the wider history of the region, Valendas joined the Reformation in 1523 together with Versam; in the 14th century, Walser settlers advanced as far as Versam and the farms of Valendas.

Local brewing culture and getting there

Since January 2019, Safienbrauerei has been brewing its own regional beer at Gasthaus Rössli. The beers produced include Lager, Red Ale and a light summer beer. The selection may change; if you are interested in a particular beer, ask what is currently available.

Bahnhofstrasse connects Versam with Versam-Safien railway station, which is located in the heart of the Rhine Gorge. The PostBus runs along Bahnhofstrasse from Versam-Safien; check the timetable before travelling. A journey on the Rhaetian Railway takes you through the Rhine Gorge. The Cabrio minibus runs from Laax via Sagogn to Valendas and Imschlacht. Twice a day, it runs from Valendas via Versam, Bonaduz and Reichenau to Tamins and back. As timetable details vary seasonally, it is advisable to check before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Breil-Brigels, Waltensburg, Castrisch, Medels Im Oberland, Luven, Laax, Disentis/Mustér, Andiast

Back to the main travel overview: Surselva.