With the official groundbreaking ceremony at the Julier Pass, work has begun on a long-planned trail project. The new Julier Trail spans 16.5 kilometers and will connect the Surses region with the Upper Engadine; it will be open to both mountain bikers and hikers.

Seven Years of Planning

The initial ideas for the project date back about seven years. Numerous assessments, site inspections, and permitting processes were necessary before construction could begin. Determining the route was particularly challenging in areas with historic trails. Due to ancient Roman roads, the route was walked, reviewed, and adjusted multiple times in collaboration with specialized agencies and the historic preservation society.

For the participating municipalities, the groundbreaking ceremony is therefore more than just a symbolic act. “I’m truly delighted that we can finally experience this day,” says Daniel Wasescha, mayor of Surses.

A great deal of planning and political work went into the project. In addition to the municipalities, landowners, cantonal agencies, tourism organizations, and other stakeholders had to be brought on board. Politically, too, approval was by no means a foregone conclusion. Various concerns were taken seriously and incorporated into the planning.

“That’s why a big thank you goes out to the landowners with whom we were able to reach an agreement, and also to the residents of Surses, who ultimately voted in favor of the project,” says Wasescha.

New Connection Between Surses and the Upper Engadine

The Julier Trail is intended to close one of the most glaring gaps in Graubünden’s mountain biking network. Important routes already run over the pass, but the existing connection is considered cumbersome and unattractive by mountain bikers.

The new trail will particularly enhance the nation’s number one mountain bike route. This route previously led over the Septimer Pass into Bergell and then on to the Engadin. In the future, the connection over the Julier Pass will provide an additional and more direct route between Surses and the Upper Engadin.

“With the Julier Trail, the route gains a new route and becomes significantly more attractive. This will benefit not only Surses and the Upper Engadin, but also mountain biking opportunities throughout the canton,” explains Albert Kruker, managing director of Tourismus Val Surses.

A Shared Trail for Mountain Bikers and Hikers

At the same time, those in charge emphasize that the trail is not solely a mountain biking project. The route will also be upgraded for hikers and is intended to enable the various users to coexist harmoniously.

The route alignment and structural design will therefore take the needs of both groups into account. The goal is a route that is attractive to mountain bikers while also improving existing hiking trails.

A large portion of the route will be newly built

About one-third of the existing sections will be renovated. A small portion requires minimal construction work, while the majority of the trail will be built from scratch.

The investment costs amount to approximately 2.3 million Swiss francs. In addition to the actual construction, plans for future maintenance have also been established. This is considered just as important for long-term quality as the initial investment.

Those responsible want to ensure that the Julier Trail is not only built but also maintained in good and safe condition over the long term.

Opening planned for early summer 2028

Construction work is expected to extend over the coming seasons. This will result in a total route of approximately 16.5 kilometers across the Julier Pass. If everything goes according to plan, the Julier Trail can open in early summer 2028.

For those involved, the groundbreaking therefore marks the start of a project that goes far beyond a single trail. It creates new route combinations, strengthens cooperation across the Julier Pass, and permanently connects two major tourism regions.