Cycling in Switzerland
Andeer
Andeer
Andeer
The small spa resort of Andeer lies in the Shamsertal (Val Schons), a section of the Hinterrheintal. Famed for its rugged gorges and mineral spa, Andeer lies on the road to the Splügen and San Bernardino passes.
For over 2000 years, the Splügen Pass, together with the pack mule route over the San Bernardino, was the most important traffic route between Canton Graubunden and Italy. The section through the Viamala-Schlucht (Viamala Gorge) to the north of Andeer was considered the most gruelling. Only a few metres wide in places, the gorge is enclosed by vertical rock faces of up to 300 metres height. Viamala means «bad route». The old pack mule route between Zillis and Thusis can still be hiked today, from where 321 steps covering 150 metres distance lead down to the Rhine and the almost 70 metre-long bridge built in 1739.
Another bottleneck of the nascent Rhine lies to the south, up-valley from Andeer: the Roflaschlucht. This is where the river rushes, enclosed between steep rock inclines, over a drop in a wild, romantic and impressive natural fall. A rock gallery leads to the waterfall and allows the hiker to pass safely beneath and behind the frothing, falling torrent.
The family-friendly resort of Andeer has historic houses bordering the main street and one of the smallest mineral spas in Switzerland with sauna facilities, a water temperature of 34°C and an outdoor swimming pool in a picturesque wood clearing. The village is also known for its green-hued orthogneiss rock, which is mined and hewn at the edge of the village.
SUMMER
Over 400 kilometres of signposted hiking routes lead through the expansive pine forest of the Rheinwald region, on historic paths into neighbouring valleys and to tranquil mountain lakes. A short trip leads to the ibex centre in Wergenstein am Schamserberg, close to Andeer. The long distance hiking and culture trail ViaSpluga documents the beauty and hardships of life on the pack mule trails of yore.
WINTER
There are 12 kilometres of tobogganing runs in nearby Schamserberg by Zillis. Skiers can ski at Piz Tambo near Splügen and in the Avers-Tal. Cross-country skiing runs for both classic and skating techniques are maintained along the banks of the nascent Rhine.
Another bottleneck of the nascent Rhine lies to the south, up-valley from Andeer: the Roflaschlucht. This is where the river rushes, enclosed between steep rock inclines, over a drop in a wild, romantic and impressive natural fall. A rock gallery leads to the waterfall and allows the hiker to pass safely beneath and behind the frothing, falling torrent.
The family-friendly resort of Andeer has historic houses bordering the main street and one of the smallest mineral spas in Switzerland with sauna facilities, a water temperature of 34°C and an outdoor swimming pool in a picturesque wood clearing. The village is also known for its green-hued orthogneiss rock, which is mined and hewn at the edge of the village.
SUMMER
Over 400 kilometres of signposted hiking routes lead through the expansive pine forest of the Rheinwald region, on historic paths into neighbouring valleys and to tranquil mountain lakes. A short trip leads to the ibex centre in Wergenstein am Schamserberg, close to Andeer. The long distance hiking and culture trail ViaSpluga documents the beauty and hardships of life on the pack mule trails of yore.
WINTER
There are 12 kilometres of tobogganing runs in nearby Schamserberg by Zillis. Skiers can ski at Piz Tambo near Splügen and in the Avers-Tal. Cross-country skiing runs for both classic and skating techniques are maintained along the banks of the nascent Rhine.
Highlights
- Andeer – pretty resort with a mineral spa and small thermal baths with a water temperature of 34°C.
- Viamala – a narrow gorge enclosed by steep rock faces up to 300 metres high. A centuries-old, dangerous and therefore dreaded section of the main Alpine traversal from north to south. Viamala means «bad route».
- Roflaschlucht – gorge near Andeer with a 300 metre-long rock gallery and path leading to a majestic waterfall.
- Zillis – the world-famous St. Martin’s Church has a ceiling with a unique and valuable 12th century cycle of paintings.
- ViaSpluga – culture and long distance hiking path leading past Thusis and Andeer over the Splügen Pass to the small Italian town of Chiavenna.
- Casa Storica - A house full of stories from the region Viamala with scenic tours.
The small spa resort of Andeer lies in the Shamsertal (Val Schons), a section of the Hinterrheintal. Famed for its rugged gorges and mineral spa, Andeer lies on the road to the Splügen and San Bernardino passes.
For over 2000 years, the Splügen Pass, together with the pack mule route over the San Bernardino, was the most important traffic route between Canton Graubunden and Italy. The section through the Viamala-Schlucht (Viamala Gorge) to the north of Andeer was considered the most gruelling. Only a few metres wide in places, the gorge is enclosed by vertical rock faces of up to 300 metres height. Viamala means «bad route». The old pack mule route between Zillis and Thusis can still be hiked today, from where 321 steps covering 150 metres distance lead down to the Rhine and the almost 70 metre-long bridge built in 1739.
Another bottleneck of the nascent Rhine lies to the south, up-valley from Andeer: the Roflaschlucht. This is where the river rushes, enclosed between steep rock inclines, over a drop in a wild, romantic and impressive natural fall. A rock gallery leads to the waterfall and allows the hiker to pass safely beneath and behind the frothing, falling torrent.
The family-friendly resort of Andeer has historic houses bordering the main street and one of the smallest mineral spas in Switzerland with sauna facilities, a water temperature of 34°C and an outdoor swimming pool in a picturesque wood clearing. The village is also known for its green-hued orthogneiss rock, which is mined and hewn at the edge of the village.
SUMMER
Over 400 kilometres of signposted hiking routes lead through the expansive pine forest of the Rheinwald region, on historic paths into neighbouring valleys and to tranquil mountain lakes. A short trip leads to the ibex centre in Wergenstein am Schamserberg, close to Andeer. The long distance hiking and culture trail ViaSpluga documents the beauty and hardships of life on the pack mule trails of yore.
WINTER
There are 12 kilometres of tobogganing runs in nearby Schamserberg by Zillis. Skiers can ski at Piz Tambo near Splügen and in the Avers-Tal. Cross-country skiing runs for both classic and skating techniques are maintained along the banks of the nascent Rhine.
Another bottleneck of the nascent Rhine lies to the south, up-valley from Andeer: the Roflaschlucht. This is where the river rushes, enclosed between steep rock inclines, over a drop in a wild, romantic and impressive natural fall. A rock gallery leads to the waterfall and allows the hiker to pass safely beneath and behind the frothing, falling torrent.
The family-friendly resort of Andeer has historic houses bordering the main street and one of the smallest mineral spas in Switzerland with sauna facilities, a water temperature of 34°C and an outdoor swimming pool in a picturesque wood clearing. The village is also known for its green-hued orthogneiss rock, which is mined and hewn at the edge of the village.
SUMMER
Over 400 kilometres of signposted hiking routes lead through the expansive pine forest of the Rheinwald region, on historic paths into neighbouring valleys and to tranquil mountain lakes. A short trip leads to the ibex centre in Wergenstein am Schamserberg, close to Andeer. The long distance hiking and culture trail ViaSpluga documents the beauty and hardships of life on the pack mule trails of yore.
WINTER
There are 12 kilometres of tobogganing runs in nearby Schamserberg by Zillis. Skiers can ski at Piz Tambo near Splügen and in the Avers-Tal. Cross-country skiing runs for both classic and skating techniques are maintained along the banks of the nascent Rhine.
Highlights
- Andeer – pretty resort with a mineral spa and small thermal baths with a water temperature of 34°C.
- Viamala – a narrow gorge enclosed by steep rock faces up to 300 metres high. A centuries-old, dangerous and therefore dreaded section of the main Alpine traversal from north to south. Viamala means «bad route».
- Roflaschlucht – gorge near Andeer with a 300 metre-long rock gallery and path leading to a majestic waterfall.
- Zillis – the world-famous St. Martin’s Church has a ceiling with a unique and valuable 12th century cycle of paintings.
- ViaSpluga – culture and long distance hiking path leading past Thusis and Andeer over the Splügen Pass to the small Italian town of Chiavenna.
- Casa Storica - A house full of stories from the region Viamala with scenic tours.
