Walserweg, Stage 5/19

For centuries, the Safien inhabitants crossed the Glaspass with cattle and goods to the marketplace of Thusis. Walser folk settled in Inner and Usser Glas and Tschappina. The abandoned Walser settlement of Masügg, now alp pastureland, at the foot of the Piz Beverin.

From the Safien Platz bus stop, the route initially leads through the village. Right at the start, the balancing reservoir lies close to the trail. The mountain path, marked in white-red-white, then climbs across open meadows towards the Glaspass. The ascent continues a little further, reaching the highest point of the hike at around 1,880 metres. Up to this point, the landscape is characterised by pastures and broad slopes.

On the other side, the long descent towards Heinzenberg begins. The mountain path crosses open terrain and later descends through forest to Tschappina, passing the Gasthaus Alpina. It continues downhill via Urmein; between meadows, patches of woodland and the first settlements, the route now loses altitude rapidly.

Towards the end, the path becomes broader and leads into Thusis. Shortly before the destination, it passes the heritage-listed Reformed church. After 17 kilometres and a good five and a half hours, the hike ends at Thusis railway station. With around 720 metres of ascent and 1,350 metres of descent, it is above all a long route with a great deal of downhill walking.