Viamala - Viamala

Viamala is a section of the Hinterrhein Gorge between Thusis and Zillis in the canton Grisons called. The region lies in the middle of the Beverin Nature Park. The groundbreaking natural force of the Rhine water is impressively staged here.

background

The deeply dug canyon of the Hinterrhein between Thusis and Zillis on the northern ascent to the cross-alpine passes San Bernardino and Splügen Pass was already difficult to conquer in ancient times and has been known as "Via mala" resp. "Bad way" called.

The Alpine crossings in the area of ​​the Splügen Pass used, in Roman times the path from the south over the Splügen was used as a mule track and was possibly even passable for carts. The most critical point on the path sloping down towards Chur along the Hinterrhein was the Hinterrhein Gorge, which in the upper area was made passable by half galleries and suspended walkways as well as a wooden bridge.

In 1473 a stone bridge was built and the path was improved with suspended walkways and the expansion of the Roman galleries carved into the rock in order to facilitate traffic on the Splügen route. In addition to mule caravans, the Lindauer-Bote used this alpine crossing just like Goethe did on his trip to Italy.

In 1739/39, master builder Christian Wildener built two bridges over which the San Bernardino Pass increasing traffic was led on the canton road built in 1818/21.

In 1967 the car road was over the San Bernardino opened and bypassed the Viamala with a new bridge in the south and a road tunnel. The historic path on the right bank, which has been in use since Roman times, was made passable again and, after the bridge built for this purpose was destroyed by a rockfall in 1999, it was replaced by a new bridge.

In 2012 the “Viamala Infra Betriebsgenossenschaft” commissioned the two architects Ivano Iseppi and Stefan Kurath to renovate the outdated and partly ailing facilities in the gorge and to build a new visitor center. This was completed in 2014. An exposed staircase leads to the gorge from the visitor center for CHF 10.

http://www.swiss-architects.com/de/iseppi-kurath-thusis/project/besucherzentrum-viamala-schlucht-2

getting there

By plane

Visitors arriving to visit the Viamala will find the nearest international airports in Zurich-Kloten and Milan.

By train / bus

The Rhaetian Railway is leaving Thusis further over the Albula line, a railway line was never built through the Viamala line.

In Thusis must on that Postbus transfer, most Postbus courses on line 90.541, the San Bernardino line from Thusis above Splügen - San Bernardino-Pass after Bellinzona run on the autostrasse. To visit the Viamala Gorge, a course with a stop in "Zillis, Viamala Gorge" must be used, the stop is only served from March 30th to November 2nd.

In the street

The autostrasse is used to get there A13Chur - Thusis - San Bernardino - Bellinzona used and when connecting Leave Viamala, the traffic will then be on the main road 13 past the Viamala visitor center to the next car entrance.

By bicycle

When crossing the pass by bike, it is worth stopping to visit the Viamala, which is of course the main road 13 used, in the gorge you descend on a staircase, it is not accessible by bike.

On foot

You can take the Postbus from Thusis to the gorge and hike back or vice versa (approx. 4 hours).

mobility

The visitor center is barrier-free Wheelchair accessible, the descent into the gorge on 321 stone steps requires good footwear and, above all, a robust stamina for the ascent.

In between there are some viewing platforms. On the terrace attached to the visitor center, visitors can enjoy the gorge who do not want to take this steep path down and / or who want to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Tourist Attractions

• Viamala visitor center. Tel.: 41 (0)81 650 90 30, Fax: 41 (0)81 650 90 31, Email: [email protected]. Open: March, Oct 9 am-6pm, May-Sept. 8 am-7pm.Price: 6.00 / 4.00h.last change: not specifiedType is group designation
• During the winter (November to March) the Viamala Gorge is closed for safety reasons.
• Next to the famous Wildener Bridge from 1739, two old caverns of the Swiss Army are carved into the rock. Here the history and stories of the Viamala Gorge are shown in an inforama in four languages ​​(de, it, e, romance).

activities

• Descent on 321 stone steps into the gorge (railing available), information pavilions with information on the historical background
• Treasure hunt for children, in the season there are guided tours and as special, but also expensive night tours offered (Viamala Notte).
• Viamala canyoning
• various well-marked hiking trails

shop

Souvenirs can be bought in the kiosk at the visitor center.

kitchen

nightlife

accommodation

• Alte Post inn (2 star hotel), [email protected]. Tel.: 41 81 661 12 35. , Zillis (3.2 km from Viamala Gorge).Price: Single: from 70 Double: from 130 SFr.last change: Mar. 2018 (information may be out of date)
• campsite / caravan site viamala ag thusis ([email protected]), pantunweg, ch-7430 thusis. Tel.: 41 (0)81 651 24 72. Price: from 18 SFr for one person and tent.last change: Mar. 2018 (information may be out of date)

Practical advice

Toilets for a fee can be found at the car park.

• In a ravine it is naturally noticeably fresh even in summer, so you should think about appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes in advance.

• Dogs can be brought along
  

trips

• to Thusis
• Visit to the Church of Zillis with the painted wooden ceiling from the 12th century, numerous square panels show biblical representations; the images were shown on Swiss Pro Patria stamps for several years.

• Rofflaschlucht, here you can even walk under a waterfall of the Rhine

• Chur

• Reichenau - confluence of the front and rear Rhine rivers

• Ruinaulta - another legendary Rhine gorge

• San Bernardino and Splügen Pass

• Take the Rhaetian Railway from Thusis

literature

• John Knittel: Via Mala. Novel. (12th edition). Heyne, Munich 1993, 697S., ISBN 3-453-02280-7; The novel about the gorge, a must for every visitor to the Hinterrhein region and lover of epochal literature.

Web links

• Website the tourism organization Viamala
• CH-7430 Thusis Tel. 41 (0) 81 650 90 30 Fax 41 (0) 81 650 90 31 [email protected], www.viamala-schlucht.ch