The Graubünden Route takes riders from Chur into a landscape of castles, gorges and Alpine passes. SwitzerlandMobility’s National Route 6 divides at Thusis: one branch crosses the Albula Pass into the Engadin, while the other heads towards the San Bernardino Pass and Bellinzona.
From Chur to the fork at Thusis
The journey begins in Chur and heads towards Thusis through the Domleschg, a valley known for its castles. SwitzerlandMobility’s route description also points to the Polenweg and views of the Hinterrhein. Thusis is the place to decide which of the two branches fits your trip.
Switzerland Tourism presents the Chur–Thusis section as the first of seven listed stages across the whole project. Those stages describe a shared approach followed by two different routes, rather than a single continuous journey from Martina to Bellinzona.
Over the Albula Pass to the Engadin
The eastern branch continues from Thusis towards Bergün and climbs over the Albula Pass towards Zernez. From there, the listed itinerary carries on to Martina through the Engadin. Mountain villages and the railway are part of the appeal: the Albula line’s bridges and spiral tunnels make the valley a rewarding place to pause and look around.
Between Tiefencastel and Bergün, the route passes through Parc Ela. The Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur is a notable railway landmark, while the former ore-smelting site at Bellaluna offers a glimpse of the valley’s industrial past. Bergün is also home to the Albula Railway Museum.
The San Bernardino branch
The second branch leaves Thusis for Splügen, crosses the San Bernardino Pass and descends towards Bellinzona. It offers a different Alpine crossing, following the Hinterrhein before reaching the pass landscape and the Valle Mesolcina on the southern side.
Splügen’s wooden houses and the moorland around the pass are among the features highlighted in SwitzerlandMobility’s description. At the southern end, Bellinzona’s three castles give riders a reason to spend time in the town after the descent.
Planning the ride
Treat the two branches as separate choices and examine the individual stage descriptions before settling on daily distances. The Thusis–Bergün section includes both paved and natural surfaces, and Switzerland Tourism rates its physical requirements as difficult. Conditions and effort can vary substantially between sections.
For the busy main road and dangerous tunnel between Thusis and Tiefencastel, Switzerland Tourism recommends taking the train or PostBus. Check route and weather conditions with local information centres before travelling: seasonal weather can close or interrupt sections, and the Thusis–Bergün page reports detours or closures.