Italian Road
Distance: 25.77 km
Elevation Gain: 869 m
Elevation Loss: 93 m
Difficulty:
595 (Moderate)
FIETS Index: 2.33 FIETS
Avg Grade: 3.01 %
Max cat climb: 1
Min elevation: 724 m
Max elevation: 1500 m
Ride Category:
Climb
The Italienische Strasse (Italian Road) is a masterclass in Alpine drama, serving as the historic artery that sliced through the once-impassable Viamala Gorge to link Northern Europe with Italy. Completed in the 1820s, this engineered marvel replaced treacherous mule tracks with a smooth carriage road, effectively opening the gates for trade and cultural exchange between the Rhaeto-Romanic and Lombard peoples. Geographically, the route is defined by its vertical intensity; it begins in the deep, shadowy chasms of the Hinterrhein river near Thusis and gradually climbs into the sun-drenched high meadows of the Rheinwald, passing the famous 12th-century ceiling paintings of Zillis along the way.
For a cyclist, this stretch—known as Route 13 of the Swiss national network—is a rewarding 27-kilometer ascent that demands a steady rhythm. The road snakes upward from Thusis (approx. 700m) to the stone-clad village of Splügen at 1,450m, offering a gain of roughly 750 meters with an average gradient that remains manageable despite the rugged surroundings. Pedaling through the Roffla Gorge, you’ll encounter galleries blasted directly into the rock and bridges that hang over thundering waterfalls, providing a sensory experience that far outweighs the physical effort. Reaching the historic center of Splügen, a village recognized with the Wakker Prize for its preservation, serves as the perfect victory lap.
