25. Region Bivio Columban lake Bivio
Kolumbansweg
Graubünden

25. Region Bivio Columban lake Bivio

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This challenging 18 km loop (1,075 m of ascent and descent) connects Lake Colomban, Fuorcla da la Valletta (2,585 m) - Forcellina (2,671 m) - Septimer Pass (2,310 m) before returning to Bivio.
Another less challenging option (11 km and 720 m elevation gain) is a round trip from Bivio to Lake Colomban.
The trail is marked with yellow hiking signs.
This loop crosses the Alpine ridge to reach the highest point of the entire European Way of St. Columbanus. The Septimer Pass was already one of the most important Alpine passes in Roman times. This route offers the opportunity to stop for one or more days to get to know this magnificent region better.

2 points of interest

  • Kolumbansweg
    St Columban

    Colomban Lake

    The name of the lake and the nearby mountain peak indicate that the monks chose this route across the Alps.
  • St Columban

    Columban Peak

    The name of the summit and that of the nearby lake indicate that monks chose this route to cross the Alps.

Description

The starting and finishing point is in front of the Reformed Church in Bivio on the main street, Julierstrasse (at No. 60):
  1. Walk down Julierstrasse to the fountain near the Volg shop, turn left twice in succession to follow Vea Viglia street and leave the village at the ski lift. Follow the yellow-marked trail that climbs up the valley on the right bank of the Beiva stream. Leave the hamlet of Val Beiva on your right and continue to the next houses in Valletta.
  2. Shortly afterwards, cross the Beiva stream and follow the other bank for 1 km. Cross the stream again and climb up the other bank through the mountain pastures to Lake Colomban, which can be the destination for the day to enjoy the magnificent setting before descending by the same route.
  3. After the lake, continue climbing the path towards the Fuorcia de la Valetta pass (2,586 m), which closes the valley and opens up new horizons.
  4. After the pass, follow the path southwards, which passes below Pic Colomban (2,848 m) before turning eastwards to cross the ridge again at the Forcallina Pass (2,671 m).
  5. Descend eastwards for 2 km to reach the Septimer Pass (2,310 m), where there is a plaque dedicated to Saint Colomban, marking one of the historic places he visited, as in Bangor (Northern Ireland), Luxeuil (France) and Bobbio (Italy).
  6. Reach Bobbio via the track and then a path taken to the right after a calvary.
  • Departure : 7457 Bivio
  • Arrival : 7457 Bivio
  • Towns crossed : Graubünden

Altimetric profile

Access and parking

Bivio, located on Route 3 of the Julier Pass, is accessible by car or bus.

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