Hinterrhein, Via Mala gorge, Graubünden, CH
N 46° 39.811 E 009° 26.837
32T E 534217 N 5167870
This narrow gorge was the most serious obstacle on the approach to two mountain passes: the Splügen and the San Bernardino.
Waymark Code: WMNMNG
Location: Graubünden, Switzerland
Date Posted: 04/05/2015
Views: 23
Viamala or Via Mala (which in Romansh literally means "bad path") is an ancient and notorious section of a path along the Hinterrhein River between Zillis-Reischen and Thusis in the Canton of Graubünden. This narrow gorge was the most serious obstacle on the approach to two mountain passes: the Splügen and the San Bernardino.
There was a path through the Viamala already in Roman antiquity, though it is not clear whether it was only a foot and bridle path, or could also be used by wagons. Two access paths met at the northern entrance to the Viamala, which the Romans traversed by means of several rock galleries cut into the walls on the left side of the gorge. Presumably somewhere below today's automobile bridge and near the pedestrian bridge (Punt da Suransuns) the Romans constructed a wooden bridge crossing over to the right side of the Rhine, routing traffic via Reischen to Zillis.
WILD: Not Listed
Number of WILD miles: Not listed
SCENIC: Not Listed
Number of SCENIC miles: Not listed
RECREATIONAL: Not Listed
Number of RECREATIONAL miles: Not listed
River Link: Not listed
Support documentation: Not listed
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