At 1,301 metres above sea level, Schmitten lies on a sunny terrace, 400 metres above the valley floor. Churches, the local museum, former ore mines and trails to the Landwasser Viaduct offer a variety of experiences: you can explore the village’s history and mining heritage or set aside time for a hike.
Getting here and trails to the Landwasser Viaduct
Schmitten is easily accessible from Davos or Lenzerheide via a very well-maintained road and by public transport. The Viadukt shuttle takes you from Filisur or Alvaneu to the Schmitten GR Landwasser Viaduct stop. Another option is the post bus from Chur to Schmitten Dorf; from there, continue on foot. Check the current timetables before travelling.
A summer walk from Schmitten leads to the Landwasser Viaduct, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008. It is 0.6 kilometres from the stop to the viaduct, about a ten-minute walk along a well-maintained hiking trail with steps. The Hennings viewing platform is about a five-minute walk from the same stop. These details refer to different destinations; check current trail conditions before setting off.
Churches, the Way of the Cross and the local museum
The Church of All Saints stands on a long hill high above the Albula Valley and has a Gothic bell tower. Construction may have begun around 1470. Between 1703 and 1706, Capuchins from Brixen transformed the late Gothic church into its present form; its walls still enclose the Baroque church today. The bright interior, with its magnificent altar and murals, evokes the atmosphere of the Baroque period.
The Way of the Cross is also part of the church hill: it begins at the rectory, built in 1707, and follows a route dating from 1761 with seven wayside chapels. Its Passion scenes have been fully restored since 1985. The Chapel of St. Lucius is late Romanesque and is once again used as a place of worship. Schmitten brings together different architectural and religious histories, from the late Romanesque chapel to the Baroque-style church.
The Schmitten local museum is housed in the former schoolhouse. It documents the social changes that came with modernity and offers a glimpse of life in a simple mountain village in the central Albula Valley. Its themes include farming, crafts, mining, customs and religious traditions. Audiovisual presentations also cover how the village has changed over time and the frescoes in the Chapel of St. Lucius.
The local museum can be visited from July to October on Wednesdays between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.; visits are possible at any time by arrangement. Check visiting hours in advance.
Ore mines and summer activities
About five kilometres north of Schmitten, the former ore mines lie at an altitude of 2,546 metres on the southeastern flank of Bleiberg, also known as Blyberg or Schafläger. The maze of tunnels and passages extends over three levels and is open to tourists. Ore was mined at Schmittner Berg intermittently from 1447 to 1848; the mines offer a tangible way to explore this part of the village’s history.
Guided tours of the ore mines are offered from July to October. They include a two-and-a-half-hour hike from Schmittner Alp to an altitude of 2,546 metres. As the tours are seasonal, it is advisable to check the tour information before your visit. In summer, other options include bike rides to Schmittner Alp and along the surrounding routes.
The ansaina water trail as a longer route
If you have more time for a hike, the ansaina water trail is a route that starts and ends in Alvaneu Bad. It runs via the Schmittnertobel Viaduct, Zinols and Rözenwald. The 13.1-kilometre route takes about two and a half hours and is rated easy. At eleven stations, you can experience the many facets of water in the cultural landscape; along the way, the trail passes sulfur-iron springs and the Landwasser Viaduct. Check the route details before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Cunter, Filisur, Bivio, Tinizong-Rona, Stierva, Mons, Marmorera, Vaz/Obervaz.
Back to the main travel overview: Albula.
