Nufenen between the Hinterrhein and Areua
Nufenen is the second-highest village in the Rheinwald, a trough valley that runs from west to east. It lies to the left of the Hinterrhein and opposite the mouth of the Areuabach. Deep-blue pools of water repeatedly form along the Areuabach; water levels vary seasonally. The cultural landscape of the Rheinwald lies before a mighty world of mountains and glaciers. The river, pools and wider valley thus stand alongside one another as distinct landscape features.
Choose hikes by destination and route
Hiking options vary by destination and route. One route leads from Nufenen over the Vignone Pass and Strec de Vicnun to San Bernardino village. Part of the ascent is pathless but marked. Another route crosses the Hinterrhein and follows the Areua via Boda and Underm Wald into Val Curciusa. The circular route through the high valleys of Val Curciusa and Val Vignun returns to Nufenen via Alp de Rog, Bochetta de Curciusa, Pian Cales, Cassina da Vignun and Strec de Vignun. The season and weather can affect conditions on this loop.
Another circular hike heads down the valley towards Gadastatt and Gadastettli, crosses the Hinterrhein to Schöna Boda and returns along forest tracks through alpine mountain meadows beside the Hinterrhein to Nufenen. You can compare the options by destination and route: a route to San Bernardino, one to Val Curciusa, and circular routes that end back in Nufenen.
For a shorter hike, you can reach the Schwarzwald Nufenen fire pit from Nufenen by following the hiking trail towards Medels for about 30 minutes. The elevation gain is around 50 metres; the trail is also suitable for children. Forest fire instructions may affect use of the fire pit, so check the local notices.
Village Trail and PostBus
Nufenen, SplĂĽgen, Medels, Hinterrhein and San Bernardino can be reached by PostBus. The Rheinwald Village Trail runs via Medels and Nufenen to Hinterrhein and can be walked in either direction. In Nufenen, the cleared village road leads to the village centre. Several stops make different route options possible; you can also take the PostBus back to SplĂĽgen. If you are planning a section with a return journey, check the timetable for your chosen day.
Village traditions and Walser history
Every day, dozens of village goats in Nufenen and Hinterrhein are driven out to pasture and return to their stalls in the evening. Nufenen’s Reformed church was founded in 1643 and is a protected monument of the Canton of Graubünden. Its tower is crowned by a distinctive onion dome. WalseRama operates as a museum in a historic Suste dating from 1680. Its cultural and historical exhibits offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the Walser in the past.
The architecture of the wider Rheinwald also shapes the region’s character: large, Italianate stone houses stand right beside the sun-browned wooden houses of the Walser. This contrast extends the village-focused insights in Nufenen with a perspective on the valley as a whole.
Cheese history and places to eat
The Nufenen dairy was founded in 1846 as the first cooperative dairy in GraubĂĽnden. In the 1970s, it developed the first original GraubĂĽnden mountain cheese. These milestones give Nufenen a clearly dated product history alongside its hiking and cultural themes.
There is a restaurant with a large car park at the exit from Nufenen. If you are planning to eat there, check the opening hours in advance.
Discover more destinations: Urmein, Zillis, Tschappina, Thusis, Masein, Donath, Paspels, Cazis.
For the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.
