📷 Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and if you want send me a message. or…, CC BY-SA 3.0 atViamala Gorge
Zillis, Switzerland
A deep, narrow gorge of the Hinterrhein on the old road south of Thusis, explored on 321 steps and bridges. Paid entry, open April to October, with parking by the kiosk at the top.
The Viamala is a narrow gorge of the Hinterrhein in the canton of Graubünden, south of Thusis near Zillis. The Latin name means roughly “bad road”, because the passage was long dangerous for travellers heading for the San Bernardino Pass. The path through the gorge was upgraded in 1473, Christian Wildener built two bridges in 1738/39, and the new road followed in 1818 to 1821. The A13 motorway has bypassed the gorge by tunnel since 1967.
359 steps lead down into the gorge from the visitor centre. Admission is charged; in 2026 the gorge is open from 26 March to 1 November and closed in winter (as of October 2026). If you come from the A13, leave it at Zillis or Thusis and follow the old road. There is a limited number of free parking spaces right by the visitor centre. The rock walls rise up to 300 metres.
- Nearest town
- Zillis, Switzerland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.6620, 9.4440
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© NOTE: This image is a panorama of Rhine Gorge consisting of 8 portrait frames that were merged or stitched in Panorama… · CC BY-SA 3.0Il Spir Rhine Gorge viewpoint
© Hansueli Krapf This file was uploaded with Commonist. · CC BY-SA 3.0Caumasee
© Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and if you want send me a message. or… · CC BY-SA 3.0 atSan Bernardino Pass
© Capricorn4049 · CC BY-SA 4.0Albula Pass
Campsites nearby
- Camping Andeer - Sut BaselgiaCampsite6 km from Viamala Gorge · 155 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping PradafenzCampsite15 km from Viamala GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping SplügenCampsite16 km from Viamala GorgeTentsCaravansDrinking waterWi-Fi
- Campingplatz RonaCampsite18 km from Viamala GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Stellplatz Restaurant Della PuntMotorhome stopover18 km from Viamala Gorge · 30 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping TrinCampsite20 km from Viamala GorgeTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Viamala Gorge?
Viamala Gorge is in Zillis, Switzerland, at GPS 46.6620, 9.4440. It is about 4 km from Thusis.
Can you camp near Viamala Gorge?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Rania, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 44 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Viamala Gorge?
Viamala Gorge is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rhine Gorge, Viamala and San Bernardino to Bellinzona.
What is there to see near Viamala Gorge?
Places worth a stop nearby: Il Spir Rhine Gorge viewpoint (19 km), Caumasee (21 km), San Bernardino Pass (28 km) and Albula Pass (31 km).
When is the best time to visit Viamala Gorge?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)