Cycling in Switzerland
Graubünden Route
Stage 3, Bergün–Zernez
rotate your device for slideshow
Graubünden Route
Stage 3, Bergün–Zernez
Follow the bends of the Rhaetian Railway in fresh mountain air. The Albula Pass is windswept and rocky. The mood is joyful in the Upper Engadine, by the river Inn, where nature can flourish freely – to the delight of many – in the National Park, now over 100 years old.
Handsome Engadine houses provide a quaint village setting in Bergün. So inviting that camera teams regularly wander into the Graubünden mountains to shoot films such as "Die Direktorin" or "Heidi" with Bruno Ganz as grandpa. Attractive accommodation with "props" from bygone days will tempt you to stay longer. In a former armoury, the Albula Railway Museum gives an exciting presentation of the history of the Albula line.
You ride sedately along the river Albula, up to the area around the source of the Hinterrhein's largest tributary, on the western side of the Albula Pass. Especially in autumn, this region is like a dream with its multicoloured foliage and gorgeous yellow larches. Somehow, the Rhaetian Railway – which pirouettes impressively around Bergün – is always appearing from some crevice or fissure in the rocks. Trains packed with visitors from all over the world are delighted by the imposing rail viaducts and landscapes. A little further on, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) has a facility near Alp Weissenstein (Crap Alv), 2,026 m.a.s.l. Research focuses on high Alpine dairy cow and sheep farming, and on the vegetation of this mountain region. After a regular climb through all the Alpine vegetation and climate zones, you finally reach the top of the pass (2,312 m.a.s.l.).
Then comes an enjoyable descent on a road with little traffic. You soon reach pretty La Punt in the Upper Engadine. Zuoz, with its solidly built and richly decorated houses, is another pretty spot. A sculpture of Schellen-Ursli here recalls the famous children's story ("A Bell for Ursli"). The glory of an early morning can be experienced elsewhere, but it is especially memorable between Zuoz and Zernez. Morning mist often persists over the Inn, but it usually starts to clear soon afterwards. Sandwiched between the Inn and the Swiss National Park ("parc naziunal svizzer"), the route literally sweeps you towards Zernez (although the ride on the forest path can be rather bumpy). This is the base for outings to the National Park and Val Müstair.
You ride sedately along the river Albula, up to the area around the source of the Hinterrhein's largest tributary, on the western side of the Albula Pass. Especially in autumn, this region is like a dream with its multicoloured foliage and gorgeous yellow larches. Somehow, the Rhaetian Railway – which pirouettes impressively around Bergün – is always appearing from some crevice or fissure in the rocks. Trains packed with visitors from all over the world are delighted by the imposing rail viaducts and landscapes. A little further on, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) has a facility near Alp Weissenstein (Crap Alv), 2,026 m.a.s.l. Research focuses on high Alpine dairy cow and sheep farming, and on the vegetation of this mountain region. After a regular climb through all the Alpine vegetation and climate zones, you finally reach the top of the pass (2,312 m.a.s.l.).
Then comes an enjoyable descent on a road with little traffic. You soon reach pretty La Punt in the Upper Engadine. Zuoz, with its solidly built and richly decorated houses, is another pretty spot. A sculpture of Schellen-Ursli here recalls the famous children's story ("A Bell for Ursli"). The glory of an early morning can be experienced elsewhere, but it is especially memorable between Zuoz and Zernez. Morning mist often persists over the Inn, but it usually starts to clear soon afterwards. Sandwiched between the Inn and the Swiss National Park ("parc naziunal svizzer"), the route literally sweeps you towards Zernez (although the ride on the forest path can be rather bumpy). This is the base for outings to the National Park and Val Müstair.
Follow the bends of the Rhaetian Railway in fresh mountain air. The Albula Pass is windswept and rocky. The mood is joyful in the Upper Engadine, by the river Inn, where nature can flourish freely – to the delight of many – in the National Park, now over 100 years old.
Handsome Engadine houses provide a quaint village setting in Bergün. So inviting that camera teams regularly wander into the Graubünden mountains to shoot films such as "Die Direktorin" or "Heidi" with Bruno Ganz as grandpa. Attractive accommodation with "props" from bygone days will tempt you to stay longer. In a former armoury, the Albula Railway Museum gives an exciting presentation of the history of the Albula line.
You ride sedately along the river Albula, up to the area around the source of the Hinterrhein's largest tributary, on the western side of the Albula Pass. Especially in autumn, this region is like a dream with its multicoloured foliage and gorgeous yellow larches. Somehow, the Rhaetian Railway – which pirouettes impressively around Bergün – is always appearing from some crevice or fissure in the rocks. Trains packed with visitors from all over the world are delighted by the imposing rail viaducts and landscapes. A little further on, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) has a facility near Alp Weissenstein (Crap Alv), 2,026 m.a.s.l. Research focuses on high Alpine dairy cow and sheep farming, and on the vegetation of this mountain region. After a regular climb through all the Alpine vegetation and climate zones, you finally reach the top of the pass (2,312 m.a.s.l.).
Then comes an enjoyable descent on a road with little traffic. You soon reach pretty La Punt in the Upper Engadine. Zuoz, with its solidly built and richly decorated houses, is another pretty spot. A sculpture of Schellen-Ursli here recalls the famous children's story ("A Bell for Ursli"). The glory of an early morning can be experienced elsewhere, but it is especially memorable between Zuoz and Zernez. Morning mist often persists over the Inn, but it usually starts to clear soon afterwards. Sandwiched between the Inn and the Swiss National Park ("parc naziunal svizzer"), the route literally sweeps you towards Zernez (although the ride on the forest path can be rather bumpy). This is the base for outings to the National Park and Val Müstair.
You ride sedately along the river Albula, up to the area around the source of the Hinterrhein's largest tributary, on the western side of the Albula Pass. Especially in autumn, this region is like a dream with its multicoloured foliage and gorgeous yellow larches. Somehow, the Rhaetian Railway – which pirouettes impressively around Bergün – is always appearing from some crevice or fissure in the rocks. Trains packed with visitors from all over the world are delighted by the imposing rail viaducts and landscapes. A little further on, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) has a facility near Alp Weissenstein (Crap Alv), 2,026 m.a.s.l. Research focuses on high Alpine dairy cow and sheep farming, and on the vegetation of this mountain region. After a regular climb through all the Alpine vegetation and climate zones, you finally reach the top of the pass (2,312 m.a.s.l.).
Then comes an enjoyable descent on a road with little traffic. You soon reach pretty La Punt in the Upper Engadine. Zuoz, with its solidly built and richly decorated houses, is another pretty spot. A sculpture of Schellen-Ursli here recalls the famous children's story ("A Bell for Ursli"). The glory of an early morning can be experienced elsewhere, but it is especially memorable between Zuoz and Zernez. Morning mist often persists over the Inn, but it usually starts to clear soon afterwards. Sandwiched between the Inn and the Swiss National Park ("parc naziunal svizzer"), the route literally sweeps you towards Zernez (although the ride on the forest path can be rather bumpy). This is the base for outings to the National Park and Val Müstair.
Length
45 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 35 km
Natural surface: 10 km
Natural surface: 10 km
Ascent | Descent
1250 m | 1150 m
Fitness level
difficult
Arrival | return travel
Season
Season
Please note: pass open from approx. May to October. Info Tel 163.
More …
Surface/foundation
Beware: rough or muddy trails may be met in higher regions.
Saving metres in altitude Albulapass
There is a train between Thusis and Samedan that saves about 2200 metres in altitude.
Saving metres in altitude / Transport Albula Tunnel
There is a train between Preda and Samedan that saves about 500 metres in altitude.
