Jakobsweg Graubünden

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Müstair → Oberdorf
• Length: 258.9 km
• Elevation gain:↗ 10,216 m / ↘ 10,021 m
• Highest point: about 2,606 m
• Duration: about 12–14 days on foot (estimated)
• Character: High-Alpine Way of St. James through the Engadin, Graubünden, and Surselva

Overview

The Graubünden Way of St. James is the official Via Jacobi 43 through Switzerland’s largest canton. It begins at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Johann in Müstair (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Val Müstair and leads via S-charl and Scuol into the Engadin, continuing via Guarda and Zernez toward Davos, then through Langwies and Tschiertschen to the cantonal capital, Chur. From there, the trail winds through the Surselva region via Falera, Trun, and Sedrun to Amsteg and ends in Oberdorf in Central Switzerland.

This is a high-alpine trail: over 10,000 meters of elevation gain and loss, several mountain passes, and a highest point at around 2,600 meters. It requires physical fitness, mountaineering experience, and the right season.

Who This Route Is Ideal For—and Who It's Not So Ideal For

Ideal if you’re looking for high-altitude mountains: secluded Engadin valleys, mountain passes, sweeping panoramas, and a trail far from the crowds of pilgrims. If you’re sure-footed, have good stamina, and enjoy spending several days hiking in the Alps, you’ll find one of Switzerland’s most impressive trails here.

This route is less suitable if you're expecting flat, easy stages or a dense network of lodgings. The elevation gain is enormous, the stages are sometimes long and remote, and outside the snow-free months, the trail is impassable at high altitudes.

Route & Landscape

From the Müstair Monastery, the route leads through the Val Müstair, past Lü and S-charl, and down to Scuol in the Lower Engadine. The trail continues through the picturesque Engadine villages of Guarda and Zernez, then via S-chanf and the Dürrboden into the high valley toward Davos.

Via Langwies and Tschiertschen, you’ll reach Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city. The trail then winds through the Surselva region, passing through Trin, Falera, Andiast, Trun, and Sedrun, before continuing via Amsteg in the Reuss Valley on to Oberdorf. The landscape varies from the high valleys of the Engadin to the Alpine passes of Graubünden and on to the forests and gorges of the Surselva.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

At around 259 kilometers, with over 10,000 meters of elevation gain and a highest point of about 2,600 meters, the Graubünden Way of St. James is one of the most challenging routes of the Way of St. James in Switzerland. Depending on your pace, plan on roughly 12–14 days—some stages are long and involve climbs of several hundred meters in elevation.

The trail is officially marked as Via Jacobi 43. The terrain and elevation require sure-footedness, good physical condition, and mountaineering gear. If the trail diverges, always follow the official signage.

Müstair and the Disentis Seal – From Monastery to Monastery

The route begins at St. Johann Abbey in Müstair, one of the oldest abbeys in the Alpine region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring Carolingian frescoes. Its spiritual counterpart lies at the other end of the Surselva: Those who complete the entire Graubünden Way of St. James from Müstair to Disentis-Mustér and document their journey in their pilgrim’s passport (credenziale) can receive the “Disentis Seal” at the Benedictine Abbey of Disentis—a recognition of their pilgrimage lasting several weeks. The route can also be completed in stages over the course of several years.

Highlights Along the Way

• Mustair – St. Johann Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Scuol & the Lower Engadine – A tradition of bathing and typical Engadine architecture.
• Watch – one of the most beautiful preserved villages in the Engadin.
• Davos – the highest city in the Alps.
• Put – Switzerland's oldest city, located at the entrance to the Surselva region.
• Surselva, including Trun, Sedrun, and its connection to Disentis – the Romansh-influenced Grisons Oberland.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The starting point at the UNESCO-listed Müstair Monastery is deliberately located on the border: accessible by PostBus from Zernez, it also serves as the gateway for pilgrims from South Tyrol and the Vinschgau Valley.

In Disentis, the trail connects with the Rhine-Reuss-Rhône Route across the major Alpine passes—and if you follow the main route, it leads to the Via Jacobi Toward Einsiedeln.

Continue the pilgrimage?

The Graubünden Way of St. James passes through Amsteg to reach the major Swiss hub of Alpine trails in the Reuss Valley. Here, the routes from Graubünden and Valais meet the Ticino Access Trail Toward Seedorf, from where the route continues through Central Switzerland to the hub at Einsiedeln and then westward along the main Swiss route, the Via Jacobi (Konstanz–Geneva), ultimately leading to Santiago.

Preparation & Practical Information

Due to its high elevation, the Graubünden Way is only accessible during the snow-free months—depending on the weather, roughly from June/July through September/October. Snow may still be present at the highest elevations even in summer; be sure to check the conditions of the passes and trails in advance.

You’ll need good hiking gear (sturdy hiking boots, weather protection, and plenty of food), good physical conditioning, and sure-footedness. A pilgrim’s passport is useful for collecting stamps and finding lodging—and is required to receive the Disentis seal. A trail brochure and a list of lodging options for Müstair–Oberdorf are available; on remote sections of the trail, it’s a good idea to book lodging in advance.

What the journey will cost you

Switzerland is expensive. As a rough estimate, budget 60–100 € per day for lodging and meals; in mountain regions and small towns, the cost may be closer to the upper end of that range. Simple accommodations and self-catering can help keep costs down.

Getting There

The starting point is Müstair in the far east of Graubünden; the destination is Oberdorf in Central Switzerland.

• Getting to Müstair: Take the train to the Engadin (e.g., to Zernez or Scuol) and continue by PostBus to Val Müstair. Good morning– Connections and tickets.
• Return trip from Oberdorf: across the Reus Valley to the rail network. Good morning– Connections and tickets.

Path Carrier

The Swiss Ways of St. James are organized by the association The Way of St. James in Switzerland – Compostelle Suisse manages (known as “jakobsweg.ch” until 2026, renamed following the merger with “Les Amis”). The association marks and maintains the trails, trains pilgrim guides, and publishes trail brochures and the pilgrim passport.