Davos to Arosa Panorama Trail
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Davos to Arosa Panorama Trail: High-Level Grisons Day Hike
HikeList Score
Davos to Arosa Panorama Trail scored 79/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
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- Ideal length 55
- Balanced challenge 84
- Scenery & wildness 98
- Varied terrain 77
- Accommodation 83
- Food & support 74
- Path quality 84
- Season flexibility 76
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
The Davos to Arosa Panorama Trail is a hard point-to-point day hike in Graubünden, Switzerland. It is Stage 2 of the Mittelbünden-Panoramaweg, SwitzerlandMobility regional Route 54.02, linking Arosa and Davos Platz in around 20 km with about 850 m of ascent. Expect a long alpine day, rocky high paths, the exposed Tritt staircase and a crossing of the Latschüelfurgga at about 2,400 m. It suits fit, sure-footed hikers with a head for heights.
Route Overview
This signposted route runs between Arosa and Davos Platz and is commonly walked in either direction, although SwitzerlandMobility describes the official stage as Arosa to Davos. From Arosa it passes the Aroser reservoir/Isel lake, climbs to the Walser hamlet of Medergen, tackles the Tritt rock staircase, crosses the Latschüelfurgga col and descends via Schatzalp above Davos. The Strelapass is a known variant, but the standard Route 54.02 tops out at Latschüelfurgga. It is a point-to-point hike, so plan transport at both resort towns. For longer Swiss mountain routes, compare the Bernina Trek or the Alpine Pass Route.
Walser Paths Between Arosa and Davos
The Arosa–Davos crossing follows old paths used by the Walser, German-speaking settlers who colonised these high valleys from around 1300 and farmed alpine pastures around places such as Medergen. Davos later became known as a high-altitude health resort in the late 19th century, with its sanatoria linked to Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain. Arosa also developed as a mountain resort, and the modern Mittelbünden-Panoramaweg links the two over this historic high gap.
Notable highlights
- The Tritt: A once-feared rock face between Medergen and the Latschüelfurgga, now fitted with a red wooden-and-iron staircase of around 220 steps over roughly 200 m. It is memorable, exposed and requires a head for heights.
- Medergen: A well-preserved Walser hamlet at about 2,000 m, with alpine and residential buildings and grazed summer pastures. It gives the route a strong cultural landmark before the higher, rockier ground.
- Latschüelfurgga: The high col of the standard Route 54.02, at about 2,400 m. From here the route earns its Panoramaweg name with views across the Schiahorn, Davos mountains and Schanfigg.
- Schatzalp: The descent reaches Schatzalp above Davos, home to the historic Berghotel Schatzalp, built in 1900 as a sanatorium and associated with Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain.
- Arosa Weisshorn views: Near the Arosa end, look towards the Arosa Weisshorn and the surrounding Plessur Alps. This is the local Graubünden peak, not the better-known Valais Weisshorn.
Challenges to expect
This is a hard, long day rather than a casual resort walk. Expect around 6.5 to 7.75 hours of walking, about 850 m of ascent, exposed rocky sections and the Tritt staircase, where a head for heights matters. Snowfields can linger into early summer, so the best window is early July to mid-October. Resupply is limited to the towns and mountain inns or restaurants en route.
HikeList Score
Davos to Arosa Panorama Trail scored 79/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.
See score breakdownHide breakdown
- Ideal length 55
- Balanced challenge 84
- Scenery & wildness 98
- Varied terrain 77
- Accommodation 83
- Food & support 74
- Path quality 84
- Season flexibility 76
Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.
SwitzerlandShow more data Show less
- Mountainous
- Forest
- Rocky
- Dirt
- Gravel
- Paved
- Hotels
- Guesthouses
- Mountain Inns
- Pet Friendly
- Water Sources
- Shelters
Photos from hikers
Taken on the trail by people who've reviewed Davos to Arosa Panorama Trail.
Walk the signed SwitzerlandMobility Route 54.02 stage between Arosa and Davos Platz. From Arosa, the route passes the Aroser reservoir/Isel lake, climbs through Medergen, crosses the exposed Tritt staircase, reaches the Latschüelfurgga at about 2,400 m and descends via Schatzalp to Davos. The stage is also commonly walked in the reverse direction.
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