ViaSuworow, Stage 10/11

From Elm, the ViaSuworow goes via the Panix Pass, where snowy and icy conditions spelled fatal disaster for Russian General Suvorov’s troops in October 1799. Today’s hiking route leads through the Jetzbachschlucht gorge up to the pass and then over Alp Mer and Alp Ranasca down to Pigniu/Panix.

From the Elm, Station bus stop, the route initially leads through the village. The sustained ascent out of the Sernftal soon begins. A hiking trail climbs through meadows; higher up, it becomes a mountain trail, while the terrain grows increasingly barren and rocky. With around 1,650 metres of ascent, this first section requires a good level of fitness.

After around four and a half hours, the route reaches its highest point at just over 2,400 m, immediately beside the Panixerpass. A mountain refuge stands at the top of the pass. Here, the hike crosses from the Glarus Sernftal into the Vorderrheintal in Graubünden, and the long descent begins. The mountain trail steadily loses altitude across open slopes and pastures before the first houses signal that Pigniu is near. In the village, the route passes the church of Sogn Valentin and ends shortly afterwards near the Pigniu, vitg bus stop. A little over eight hours should be allowed for the 23 kilometres.