Safiental

Safien or Safiental is a valley in Switzerland.

Understand

This region consists of a single valley in the Surselva district of Graubünden, it is stunningly remote with only a one-lane road and a single bus service, which is compromising in the 21st century. The valley is also quite beautiful with a steep rocky slope on one side and a gentle meadow on the other. The valley is one of the Walser settlements founded in the 12th century by migrants from the Valais region. This has had an influence on the language and the culture.

Get in

By bus

The closest train station is at 1 Versam-Safien where hourly trains from Disentis and Chur stop. From there a postal bus links to the towns along the valley. There are only a handful of trips every day stopping among others in Safien (40min) and Thalkirch (1h). For Tenna, a connecting bus leaves from Tenna, Abzweigung for most of the courses.

By car

Coming from the east (from Chur), leave the A13 at Bonaduz and drive towards Versam. Coming from the west leave the main road at Illanz, also towards Versam. The road through the Safiental goes from Versam along all the villages in the valley.

See

• Türelihus (Türeli House)
• 1 Safien local museum (Safier Heimatmuseum). Every second Sunday 14:00-17:00 during Summer, check website for exact dates. (updated Jan 2017)
• 2 Jooshuus, Valendas. The oldest building in Valendas, dating from the 15th century. (updated Aug 2017)

Do

• 1 Safiental story trail (11 km, 4 h, easy) (Goes from Enthälb by Thalkirch to Safien Platz, directions are indicated with the number 735/35). This story trail is accompanied by an app or brochure which will tell you local tales in the local Swiss German dialect. (updated Jul 2016)
• 2 Solar ski lift Tenna (4 km, 1 lift). This small ski lift is special, as it has solar panels suspended about its entire length. Day pass Fr. 25/16, single trip Fr. 3/2. (updated Aug 2017)

Eat

• 1 Berggasthaus Turrahus, ☏ +41 81 647 12 03, turrahus@bluewin.ch. (updated Mar 2017)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Camana, Thalkirch, ☏ +41 81 630 60 51, info@hotelcamana.ch. Only open from Christmas to Easter. From Fr. 70. (updated Jan 2017)