Splügen is a Rheinwald village at about 1,457 metres in Graubünden, with a ski area at the Pizzo Tambo and the Wakker Prize to its name. It suits cross-country skiers and anyone driving on towards Italy. Zurich is about two hours by car, and the Splügen Pass itself closes in winter.
Splügen sits at around 1,457 metres in the Rheinwald, on the Hinterrhein, with around 420 residents. The village was largely destroyed by fire in 1716, and in 1995 it received the Wakker Prize from the Swiss heritage body. Both the Splügen and San Bernardino passes were used as routes to Italy in Roman times, and goods traffic over them fell sharply once the Gotthard tunnel opened. Today, several lifts serve the ski area at the Pizzo Tambo, and the cross-country centre sits on the village edge, with ski hire in the village. The homes are spread through the village and its surroundings. It is on the A13. Out of season it is a small village, so check what is open.
The Rheinwald village at the far point of the 8 km Rheinwald-Medelserloipe cross-country circuit from Splügen.
A Rheinwald village at the end of the 13 km valley cross-country trail from Splügen.
A route to Italy since Roman times; the pass road closes in winter.
The other Roman-era pass route to Italy, with a road tunnel opened in 1967.
From Zurich it is about 1 hour 50 minutes by car, and Splügen lies on the A13. By train it takes about three hours, changing at Chur and Thusis, and postbuses serve the village. A car makes the passes and neighbouring valleys easier.
Winter brings skiing on the Pizzo Tambo and cross-country trails on the valley floor. Evening skiing is allowed on the short 1.5 km loop daily until 10 pm, and on the full valley trail on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the trails are not lit, so bring a torch. The Splügen Pass closes in winter. Check which lifts and restaurants are running outside the main ski season.
Yes. The cross-country centre is on the village edge, with an 8 km circuit to Medels and back and a 13 km valley trail to Nufenen. A short 1.5 km loop is open for evening skiing daily.
No. The Splügen Pass closes in winter, so that road to Italy is shut for the season. The other route south is via the San Bernardino, where a road tunnel opened in 1967.
A pass village in the Rheinwald, largely destroyed by fire in 1716 and awarded the Wakker Prize in 1995. It lies at 1,457 metres and has about 420 residents, so expect a small, quiet place.
Driving from Zurich takes about 1 hour 50 minutes, and Splügen sits on the A13. By train it takes around three hours, changing at Chur and Thusis, with a postbus line serving the village.
If you want a village ski area, yes. Several lifts serve the Pizzo Tambo and cross-country trails start at the village edge. Check lift details and the snow report if you want extensive downhill skiing.
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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