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Long distance hiking trail recommended route Stage 4

Schanfigger Höhenweg, 4th route, Sapün - Fondei

Long distance hiking trail · Plessur Alps
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  • Grüensee_Durannapass
    Grüensee_Durannapass
    Photo: Marco Hartmann, Graubünden Ferien

Challenging mountain hike: Strelapass, rocky path, panoramic views into Prättigau, the picturesque Grünsee lake on the Durannapass - all this awaits hikers on the way to Fondei. 

difficult
Distance 13.5 km
5:00 h
800 m
710 m
2,630 m
1,830 m
The fourth stage begins with a steep ascent to the Strelapass. After a flat section through the rocky path, there is a one-hour climb to the watershed. After that you have overcome the metres in altitude and the rest of the route can be completed comfortably. The panoramic view of the Prättigau is breathtaking. The contrast between the barren ski area and the beautiful Fondei is impressive. "Hardly any other high valley in the Alps has such a well-preserved Walser cultural landscape. Sun-baked wooden houses lie scattered in flowering mountain meadows. A picture that was probably true of many Walser areas for centuries. In contrast to many Walser settlements, the Fondei was demonstrably inhabited all year round for 600 years with a population of up to over two hundred people. It was only with the development of the transport routes and the removal of the hay yields at the end of the 19th century that the valley became depopulated." (Mettier-Heinrich, Hochtal Fondei).

Author’s recommendation

  • Break and picnic at the beautiful Grünseeli on the Durannapass.
  • Refreshments at the Casanna and Strassberg mountain inns
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Author
Arosa Tourismus
Update: March 14, 2022
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,630 m
Lowest point
1,830 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Berggasthaus Heimeli
Bergrestaurant Strelapass
Mountain Inn Strassberg
Ski and Mountain Guesthouse Casanna

Safety information

Mountain hiking experience required! If snowfields are present, the ascent to the Strelapass as well as the ascent and descent in the Weissfluhjoch area require good surefootedness and special caution.

Tips and hints

This route is categorised as T3, which is defined as demanding mountain hiking. In terms of physical demands, the stage with a length of 12 km is certainly one of the more strenuous routes. A total of 760 metres in altitude uphill and 670 metres in altitude downhill have to be overcome.

Refreshments en route: Strelapass

Overnight accommodation: Berggasthaus Strassberg / Skihaus Casanna

Start

Berggasthaus Heimeli (1,831 m)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'777'744E 1'187'556N
DD
46.815412, 9.767960
DMS
46°48'55.5"N 9°46'04.7"E
UTM
32T 558585 5184938
w3w 
///pointed.twirls.committed
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Destination

Strassberg

Turn-by-turn directions

Berggasthaus Heimeli - Strelapass - Weissfluhjoch - Casannapass - Grünsee/Durannapass - Reckholdern - Strassberg

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

The Rhaetian Railway runs every hour from Chur to Langwies (also in the opposite direction). A footpath leads from Langwies railway station towards the village centre and on towards Heimeli. 

By road

By car to the Alpine town of Chur. From Chur, take the winding Arosastrasse road to Langwies. After the village centre of Langwies, follow the Arosastrasse for a few minutes until you reach the Werkhof Langwies. There you will find public parking spaces. 

Parking

There are several public parking spaces at the "Werkhof" in Langwies. 

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'777'744E 1'187'556N
DD
46.815412, 9.767960
DMS
46°48'55.5"N 9°46'04.7"E
UTM
32T 558585 5184938
w3w 
///pointed.twirls.committed
Show on Map
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Equipment

Good shoes, rain jacket, walking sticks if necessary, enough to drink, snack to eat. 

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Difficulty
difficult
Distance
13.5 km
Duration
5:00 h
Ascent
800 m
Descent
710 m
Highest point
2,630 m
Lowest point
1,830 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Flora Linear route Fauna Insider tip

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  • 12 Waypoints
  • 12 Waypoints
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
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Lowest point  m
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