We leave Bivio and follow the signposts to the Septimer Pass (follow No. 64, the Via Sett). Amazing views of the surrounding mountains can be enjoyed whilst wandering over the beautiful Alps. Exiting Bivio, a signpost indicates a hiking route to Leg Columban (Columbanus Lake), a sign that Columbanus and his companions very probably passed by this way.
Sights and facts
| Km 7 | Septimer Pass. Following a not too steep path, we overcome the height difference of almost 550 meters. Reaching the top of the Pass, a little to the right of our path, we notice a Columbanus Plaque, fixed to a huge rock. Columbanus Plaque on the Septimer Pass
At 2310 meters above sea level, the summit of the Pass, we arrive at the highest point of the whole Columbanus Way, and at the same time at the parting of the waters. From the nearby Piz Lunghin three rivers flow towards different oceans: the Inn (via the Donau) to the Black Sea, the Mera (via the Po) to the Adriatic Sea and the Julia (via the Rhine) to the North Sea. From the Septimer Pass we could cross two further Passes: to the west, the Forcellina (2672 m) into the Avers Valley, or to the east, the Lunghin Pass (2645 m) into Upper Engadin.
Since Roman times the Septimer Pass has been one of the most important Alpine transit axis. Its favourable location (excellent north-south links) as well as fairly easy terrain, posed few problems for the construction of a transit link here. Excavations at 2340 m, directly above the pathway, have revealed signs of a still easily recognisable Roman military camp from the period of Emperor Augustus. It is most probable that the camp was based here in preparation for the Alpine Campaign of 15 BC, and thereafter inhabited in the summer months. The soldiers based here had the job of fortifying and maintaining the Septimer Pass as a secure route for supplies for the Roman Army operating to the north of the Alps. In the 16/17th Centuries AD, the conquest over Germania on the right side of the Rhine resulted in the Septimer Pass becoming redundant. The possession, as well as the customs revenue, of the complete Septimer route from Chur to Chiavenna has established a power base for the Chur Bishops since 960. In the High Middle Ages, the Septimer Pass route, in addition to the Great St Bernhard and Brenner Passes, attracted merchants and armies, kings and emperors, Otto the Great and Friedrich Barabrossa. From 1938, the Swiss Army set up an installation site a little to the south of the Septimer, consisting of four cavern storage facilities for machine guns. |
The descent from the Septimer Pass takes us down a number of steep hairpin bends along Roman roads to Bergell.
Remains of a Roman road on the descent to Casaccia
From Casaccia there are two possible routes to follow: on the one hand we could continue to follow the Via Sett signpost which is a fail-safe route to Vicosoprano and Castasegna.
An alternative is the Panorama Way which goes along the northern mountainside to Soglio and from there down to Castasegna. However, this path is only recommended when the weather is nice. There are some slippery spots underway.
Since we descend around 200 metres from Pungel to Vicosoprano, our goal for today, and the next day ascend around 200 metres, this route is strenuous, but the hiker is richly compensated in the form of superb scenery with views of the impressive mountains. Some impressions from this way:
This way is shown on the map.
| Km 12.5 | At 1450 masl, Casaccia was first documented in 1160. Through its location on the crossroads of the Maloja– and Septimer Passes, Casaccia was an important transit route right up until the 19th Century. The ruins of the medieval Turraccia tower overlooking the village remind us of this. The former Hospiz was located very close to the ruins of the San Gaudenzio pilgrimage church a little above the village on the Pass Route. It was documented in 1336 but was most likely standing well before this time.
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| Km 20 | Vicosoprano. This route is considered to be the most beautiful hiking trail in the Grisons and has even been known as the ‘Pearl of the hiking trails’. Near the St. Cassian Church, a small Roman Mercury altar was discovered from the second half of the 4th Century. Until 960, the residents of Como were subordinates of Vicosoprano, and, thereafter, of the Bishop of Chur. Back then, Vicosoprano was the capital of Bergell, a transport centre, home to the Port of Bergell, and the important Castelmur and Prevost families.
The bailiff of the Bishop of Chur had his courthouse in the Senwelen Tower, where the gallows were also located. This is the sole surviving 13th Century medieval round tower in the Grisons. It was first mentioned in 1314 and at the same time it served as the location for the bishops’ road toll. 
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