Guida Viamala - Guided hike through the Verlorna Loch

The section between Thusis and Rongellen is a masterpiece of early road construction from 1818-1823. Along the way you will learn a lot about the extraordinary engineering achievement of the time and how it was possible to build the road in such a special place.

The hike begins in Thusis and leads past the north portal of the safety tunnel of the Crapteigtunnel. There, the repaired Grisons fence with stone steles gives an idea that a special structure begins here. The hike continues gently uphill past the former path maker's building (built before 1890). We explain the fountain and memorial stone we pass and reach the spot in front of the Känzeli, which was renovated in 2020-2023. The Känzeli with its view into the depths and to Hohen Rätien shows us that the engineers wanted to build a road that would be beautiful and scenic and connect Germany and Italy by almost the shortest route, not only for goods transports but also for travelers. After Känzeli, we pass through a short tunnel - a sensation at the time. After the tunnel, the road cuts through the rock along the high vertical wall of the gorge, which still gives you the shivers today, to Rongellen.