Diavolezza
Since I was headed to that region anyway, it wasn’t hard to make a small detour and visit a couple of other spots in the area. First up was Diavolezza — an almost 3,000-meter peak in the Swiss Alps. The cable car takes you up quickly and easily, and in an instant, you go from a warm August day to cool, almost frosty mountain air. There’s snow in many places — not enough for ski season, but definitely enough to warrant a hat.
While walking around the summit, I noticed a tent quietly tucked into the rocks just five minutes from the cable station. Mental note: this could be a backup overnight spot if needed. On the way back down, I even asked the staff whether camping here is allowed. I was a bit surprised when they said, “As long as it’s not on the café terrace, do whatever you like.” Switzerland is a really country of freedom. Once again, I got the sense that wild camping is treated far more leniently here than in neighboring countries — even though, technically, it’s also prohibited. But in reality, no one seems to care.
Church of St. Martin
By now it was nearing noon, and I needed to head toward Pizol. But there were still a couple of sights to see along the way. One of them was the Church of St. Martin, one of the oldest churches in Europe. It’s remarkable because its painted ceiling has remained almost completely intact since it was created in the early 12th century. That means the stunningly detailed images on the ceiling are around 900 years old!
Entry to the church costs 5 francs, cash only. There’s paid parking along the road, or you can park for free in the village. To make it easier to admire the ceiling without craning your neck, the church has mirrors lying around inside — you can pick one up and look comfortably.
The “Bad Trail”
It’s not just a suspension bridge — it’s a suspension staircase!
I just barely had enough time left to visit the so-called “Bad Trail,” that is, the Viamala-Schlucht gorge. You can walk at the bottom of the canyon, along the river between the cliffs. That costs money, and honestly, you probably won’t see much more than rocks and water. Or — you can walk up top. That’s free, and you get a bird’s-eye view of the gorge. And as the cherry on top, you’ll see and be able to cross the Traversina Steig suspension bridge over the gorge.
Suspension bridges are amazing — and rare. In New Zealand, they’re everywhere. I’ve also seen a few in the U.S. But in Europe? Not so many. And this Swiss bridge is a great example. Not only can you enjoy the view while crossing, but the engineering is fascinating. The elevation difference between the start and end of the bridge is a whopping 22 meters. So technically, it’s not just a suspension bridge — it’s a suspension staircase. Super cool and unusual.
