50.03 Splügen - Isola (I), ViaSpluga

 Stage 3: Splügen–Isola (I): Hike along an Alpine pass on the unique mule track over the Splügen Pass with an exposed descent through the gorge of the Val Cardinello.  Setting off from the mountain pass village of Splügen, the  trail  takes you  through  larch  woods  running alongside the Hüschera Stream and then crosses the large car park. Keeping to a track, follow the stream until you reach the main road at the actual Splügen Pass.  Veer  right  at the Marble Bridge and take  the hiking  trail  close  to  the  Hüschera  Stream  in  the direction  of  Bodmenstafel.  After  the  switchback  (pt. 1845), cross the road and then the stream. The path soon  leads  along  carefully  assembled  cobbles over the Altbäärg and on up to the border. This is definitely the section of the route on which you will experience the  most  pronounced  sense  of  the  old mule  track. When you reach the culmination point (alt. 2115 m),the trail continues straight ahead on the cobbled path and crosses a run of bulky rocks. At the Cantoniera, cross  the  road  and  follow  the  trail  to  Montespluga.The  route  runs  along  the  right-hand  side  of  the reservoir up to the dam wall, of which you walk along the crest. After the dam, follow the signposts  which lead to the mule track through the Cardinello Gorge. The  path,  which  is  cut  into  the  rockface  in  some places, leads  to Isola via  the hamlets of  Soste and Torni.