ViaSpluga, Stage 3/4

Alpine hike over the Splügenpass on a unique mule trail with an exposed descent through the gorge of the Val Cardinello. En route: historic traffic constructions (engineered road with marble bridges and avalanche galleries). The refuge in Isola is now a guest house.

The hike begins in the village of Splügen; the Splügen, Dorf bus stop is around 300 m from the starting point. Shortly after the last houses, the mountain trail, marked white-red-white, climbs through open meadows and pastures. The long, steady ascent characterises the first half of the hike. Near the Splügenpass, the route reaches its highest point at around 2,120 m. This is the watershed between the Rhine and the Po, and also marks the border with Italy.

On the southern side, the trail widens and gradually loses altitude. Open terrain continues to dominate the landscape as the descent proceeds in long stretches towards Isola. After 17 km and around five and a half hours, the hike ends in the Italian village of Isola. With 780 metres of ascent and 950 metres of descent, this cross-border route requires stamina, but remains on marked trails throughout. The destination is not served by public transport: the nearest listed stop, Splügenpass, ital. Zoll, is around 7 km away.