RegionOutline guide

Surselva

Graubünden, Switzerland

Photo: Lutz Fischer-Lamprecht, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Surselva Valley (German: Bündner Oberland) is a valley in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The valley stretches from near the canton's capital Chur to the Oberalp Pass near Andermatt. The official Surselva administrative region covers all the side valleys as well.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By Car
The Swiss motorway Number 3 goes from Zurich to Sargans where it merges into Number 13. Number 13 takes you all the way to Reichenau where you turn off onto the 'A'road Number 19 (Oberalpstrassse).

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Getting around

By Car
The national route 19 runs the length of the valley. Roads run up the majority of the side valleys and all except remote villages are accessible via road.
By Foot
Every wood, slope or river, will have a marked trail beside or through it.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Zürich Airport

Zurich · International · ZRH

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Read before you go to Surselva

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Full travel guide

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Cities and Destinations

UnderstandThe climate of the region is very cold and snowy in the winter and reasonably warm in the valleys and cold on the mountains in summer. The area has a rare Romansch culture, which includes language, food and drink.

TalkThe Surselva is one of two regions in Switzerland where Romansch is the main language (except in Obersaxen and Vals districts).

Get inThe nearest international airport is in Zurich. From the station there you can take a train directly to Chur. The trains are fast and efficient and will get you into Chur in under 2 hours.

Get aroundThe Glacier Express runs the length of the valley, stopping at Disentis, as does the Rhatischer Bahn (Graubunden's train service).

SeeThe mountains of the region are simply beautiful and are a fantastic backdrop to other sights in the valley. The main river of the valley is the Vordderrhein which meets up with the Hinterrhein at Reichenau.

DoSkiing is the main sport in the Surselva region. Major resorts include Flims Laax Falera, Obersaxen and Sedrun. Flims Laax Falera is often referred to as Die Alpenarena.

EatTraditional dishes in the area include Capuns and Pizokel.

Stay safeThere is very little crime in the Surselva region and travellers will rarely feel threatened.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Surselva" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Lutz Fischer-Lamprecht, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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