Travelers' Choice
Viamala Gorge
4.63.2K
Most reviewed in ZillisTravelers' Choice
- Visit: 30–45 min
- from CHF 10
- Not step-free
- Good on a rainy day
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Viamala Gorge is a narrow, deeply cut section of the Hinterrhein valley between Zillis-Reischen and Thusis, Switzerland.
Why go
- Rock walls smoothed by the river rise up to 300 metres above the gorge.
- Glacial ice and the Hinterrhein shaped the gorge over millennia.
- Traversinersteg II is a suspension bridge that also serves as a staircase.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 18:00
Tuesday09:00 – 18:00
Wednesday09:00 – 18:00
Thursday09:00 – 18:00
Friday09:00 – 18:00
Saturday09:00 – 18:00
Sunday09:00 – 18:00
Don't miss
- Visitor-centre performanceFigures from the past appear through original quotations and songs.Visitor centre
- Exhibition on the gorgeAn exhibition presents the gorge’s history and landscape.Near the old bridge
- Rock galleriesSome half-tunnels cut into the rock remain visible and may date from Roman or medieval times.Gorge walls
With kids
- A treasure hunt in the gorge is designed for young children.
- A WhatsApp adventure game has visitors help Elena solve a mystery in the gorge.
Tips for your visit
- Allow 30–45 minutes to descend to the gorge centre and climb back up; this does not cover a full through-hike.
- Public hiking routes connect the gorge with Thusis, Zillis and Andeer.
- Guided tours present the gorge and its transit history.
- A footbridge in the southern gorge lets visitors walk its full length.
- For navigation, use A13 Viamalatunnel, 7432 Zillis.
- Canyoning lets visitors experience the gorge in the waters of the Hinterrhein.
Best time to visit
- Open daily, 09:00–18:00, during the operating season; closed in winter for safety reasons.
Know before you go
- Dogs are admitted free and must be kept on a leash.
History
From ancient times, the route linked Lombardy with southern Germany. The gorge was a major obstacle on approaches to the Splügen and San Bernardino passes.
- Roman antiquityRomans cut rock galleries into the gorge’s left walls and built a wooden bridge over the Hinterrhein, routing traffic through Reischen to Zillis.
- 13th centuryThe gorge and road became known as Viamala as the route fell into disrepair.
- 1473Local cooperatives rebuilt the route and constructed Punt da Tgiern, the gorge’s first stone bridge, for heavy loads.
- 1738–1739Christian Wildener built two bridges to bypass the most exposed road section; one survives.
- 1818–1823Giulio Pocobelli and Richard La Nicca planned the new road. Built from 1818 with tunnels linking three bridges, it became passable in 1821 and was completed around 1823.
Show all
- 1834A flood destroyed access to Punt da Tgiern, though the bridge survived.
- 1836Rania Bridge replaced Punt da Tgiern farther north.
- 1903A hiking route was built through the gorge, followed a few years later by a tunnel.
- 1996–2005The first Traversinersteg opened in 1996, was destroyed by rockfall in 1999, and was replaced in 2005.
How to get there
- BusPublic transport serves the Zillis, Viamala-Schlucht stop.
- ParkingLimited free parking is available beside the visitor centre.
Accessibility
- Step-free entry Access to the gorge centre is by a descending staircase.
Shorts
-
An ancient Roman road descends a 100-meter limestone gorge — Viamala …Unseen Places POV
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The Viamala Gorge, Zillis, Swiss AlpsLuova Digital
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Viamala Gorge, young RhinePaulu
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Mysterious Gorge ViamalaJaroslav Bengl
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Viamala gorge Switzerland | FPVaeronautic films
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ViaMala Gorge — SwitzerlandEarth’s Giants
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Viamala Gorge, Swiss AlpsLtuFromAbove
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Viamala Gorge (Schlucht) SwitzerlandPlanet First
Interesting facts3
Sources: Viamala - Wikipedia · Viamala-Schlucht - Viamala Tourismus · Gorge de Viamala - Wikipedia · Viamala - Wikipedia · Via Mala - Wikipedia · checked 10 Oct 2026
Where
A13 Viamalatunnel, Zillis, 7432
- Phone
- +41 81 650 90 30
Plan from here: Evening walk →
Questions and answers
Has Viamala Gorge appeared in a film?
Werner Herzog filmed scenes here for his 1976 film Heart of Glass.
How does the A13 pass Viamala Gorge’s narrowest section?
The A13 runs through a 742-metre tunnel beneath the narrowest section.
Which footbridge at Viamala Gorge dates from 1936?
The Premoli footbridge was built in 1936 and remains in place.
Could Roman wagons use the route through Viamala Gorge?
It is uncertain whether wagons could use the Roman route.
Where did Viamala Gorge’s old northern approach run?
It ran via Burg Hohenrätien and St. Albin Church. The route became impassable around 1300 and was rebuilt in 1666.
How can I contact Viamala Gorge?
+41 81 650 90 30
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