Andiast-Sumvitg

Pius and Miriam with Gypsie and Mia (from 16.06.18):

This morning at 10.10 a.m. we continue our hike on the Graubünden Camino de Santiago at the post office stop in Andiast. At the end of the village, we turn right into a meadow path, zigzag down a ravine, cross the Ual da Ladral stream and walk back up on the other side. After another short descent we pass the chair lift Waltensburg, which in winter takes skiers and snowboarders to the ski paradise Brigels-Waltensburg-Andiast. From here, an asphalt path leads over pasture land, always along the left side of the valley. In a sharp bend we take the left fork and a little later we find ourselves once again on a meadow path which runs across a dreamlike flower meadow. Here it is teeming with bees, June beetles, butterflies and other insects. We are overwhelmed by the bright colours and the variety of species that dominate here. Walking slightly upwards we finally reach Lag da Breil (Brigelsersee). The green-blue shining mountain lake is about 500 m long and up to 140 m wide. Since it is used for the production of electrical energy, bathing is prohibited. Brigels is located together with Andiast and Waltensburg on a sunny terrace of the Vorderrheintal in Graubünden. In summer, the destination attracts visitors with its hiking, biking and golf courses. In winter it transforms into a snow paradise for the whole family.

The Way of St. James runs a few metres above the lake, with countless horses grazing in a large pasture to our left. Afterwards we cross the lower part of the village and hike on a narrow path below the cantonal road over meadows and through the forest, sometimes steeply downhill. We are glad that a large part of the path runs in the shade and that a cool wind blows from time to time. Otherwise it would be a bit too hot for us and the dogs.

At the small village of Casu we reach an asphalt road with hardly any traffic, but in some parts of the road we can avoid the more pleasant mowed verge. We pass some talinas, the typical local wooden racks built in front of the stable to mature the grain. A little later we reach the hamlet Capaul and have a short break at the church in Caprè, it is now 12.40 p.m.

We walk slightly uphill on the high trail through open terrain, passing a few more small, charming villages with old wooden houses until we finally arrive in Schlans. Above the centre of the village is the chapel Nossa Dunna della Naiv next to the ruins of the tower of Schlans.

On a forest road we walk up a short distance until a trail leads us into the forest. The fall of an avalanche last winter has left a devastation here over a length of about 50 m, which will be visible for a long time. On this forest path we cross several streams that still carry meltwater. After reaching the highest point there is a long and steep descent through the forest with partly large fern fields. We pass the hamlet Cartatscha, which consists of an old group of houses and the small chapel St. Valentin. One of the houses bears the date 1664 above the entrance door, and from here there is also a view of a castle ruin on a moraine hill. After Cartatscha an asphalt road leads us further downhill past a huge retention basin made of natural stones, which is supposed to protect the village below from flooding. We follow the Ferrera stream until we arrive in Trun a little later. This village is idyllically situated on the Vorderrhein and is historically an important village in the history of Graubünden. Under the maple tree near the St. Anna Chapel, the Graue or Upper Bund was renewed and extended in 1424. This federation later gave the name Graubünden to the canton.

After a cool refreshment in a small and hearty garden restaurant we continue on an asphalt road and cross the villages of Gravas, Campliun and Rabius. A faintly marked footpath leads off to the right, rather steeply up to a hill with a large stone and a bench. There is a heavy smell of hay in the air. After a short descent on a meadow path we reach Sumvitg. This village is one of the municipalities in the Bündner Oberland where the Rhaeto-Romanic language has been preserved most strongly. We stroll through the village and continue in the direction of the railway station, which is located a little further out. Directly on the way is the campsite Garvera, which we reach at 17.30. As always we are warmly welcomed and the owner is very happy that we have two dogs with us. We exchange a little bit about the Way of St. James Graubünden, which she would also like to walk. In the Ustria Staziun we enjoy a delicious dinner on the terrace outside and enjoy the magnificent view of the beautiful mountain range Garvera and the Val Sumvitg.

For the overnight stay we pay Fr. 6.00 per person, Fr. 3.00 per dog, Fr. 10.00 for the tent and Fr. 3.00 in visitor's tax.

Today's stage of 22 km ran through the beautiful Grisons Oberland, mostly along the Vorderrhein. We managed ascents of 942 m and descents of 1'156 m. We were especially fascinated by the many small villages with their pretty wooden houses.