Unique in the Alps – the road with 360 bends from Chur to Arosa.

This route is a motorcyclist’s dream. From Chur, a 30-kilometre road leads to Arosa, climbing around 1,200 metres in altitude along the way. But what really makes this route unique are the 360 bends along the Schanfigger Valley. You should definitely allow plenty of time to enjoy the route and the viewpoints to the full, and ideally stay overnight at the Altein Arosa motorbike hotel.

Chur is one of the oldest towns in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Graubünden. Life here is bustling, but so too, these days, are the hustle and bustle and the noise.
After long and perhaps tiring days in the saddle, however, one longs more for peace, relaxation and a little indulgence.

Arosa lies at an altitude of 1,800 metres, at the head of the Schanfigg Valley. This is where the road ends, and that is precisely what makes it so magical: no through traffic, no hustle and bustle, just mountains, crisp air and tranquillity. It is no coincidence that Arosa was designated a spa town as early as the 19th century. The journey itself, however, is the real experience: around 360 bends wind your way along the Schanfigg Valley, past the Langwies Viaduct, through forests and along the mountain slopes. By the time you reach the top, you’ll have long since left everyday life behind.

And this side road is unique in the Alps. That’s because it consists of 360 bends. No other route in the Alps offers anywhere near a similar number of bends over such a distance. If you were to mentally divide the 30 kilometres among the 360 bends, there would be a bend every 80 metres or so. So you can imagine that one bend follows another. Whether the route takes you through the countryside, through one of the picturesque villages, or through one of the many tunnels. That means pure driving pleasure.

And then the well-deserved treat begins: a stop at the Altein Arosa, a Faern Collection Resort. For motorcyclists, there are indoor and outdoor parking spaces right on site for a hassle-free arrival. With 126 rooms to choose from, you’ll find just the right one here, whether travelling alone or in larger groups! 
To unwind after the exhilarating ride, there’s a 950 m² wellness area featuring a heated indoor pool, a steam room, two saunas, a relaxation room and a gym. The culinary experience is also excellent: at the Alpensand Panoramic Restaurant, right at the top of the hotel, you can enjoy lunch and dinner as well as drinks with a view of the mountains, plus daily wood-fired pizza. At the Zus Brasserie, the day begins with a breakfast buffet and, as part of the half-board package, ends with a four-course dinner in the evening.

In summer, Arosa shows its active side: lakes invite you to take a dip, hiking trails lead through the mountains at every pace, and mountain bikers will find trails ranging from beginner to expert level. It’s no coincidence that Arosa is nicknamed the ‘Bike Kingdom’. Naturally, Arosa is well known amongst winter sports enthusiasts; even some classic car enthusiasts associate the name with fond memories and are, of course, familiar with the Arosa ClassicCar. And on top of that, there’s a driving-related reason why a classic car hill climb takes place here once a year.

Arosa isn’t a place to just drive through, but a place to stay: for skilled drivers, curious explorers and anyone who simply wants to take a deep breath and relax.

Arosa: the starting point for a special motorbike holiday.

Arosa is a village that has developed over time, with a beautiful old town centre, around which tourist areas – as well as the traditional spa centres – are now clustered. What once made Arosa famous is still palpable today: the crisp mountain air, the pleasantly mild summer warmth and the almost pollen-free air that attracted guests from all over the world.

Here, too, you’ll find history at the Altein Arosa: the Altein opened in 1916 as a sanatorium and looks back on over 110 years of hospitality. What mattered back then – peace and quiet, relaxation and good food – remains the same to this day.

Above all, however, it is the extensive range of summer leisure and sporting activities that makes Arosa so attractive. Here you’ll find lakes for swimming, hiking trails, mountain sports and a golf course. And for cycling enthusiasts, Arosa is a kingdom of its own: the Bike Kingdom Arosa, with hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails.
Perhaps, for a change, you might leave your motorbike parked and set off on a different kind of two-wheeler. From the village centre, a cable car takes mountain bikers up to the 2,653-metre-high Weisshorn. From there, it’s ‘downhill’ along a wide variety of trails – designed for everyone from beginners to professionals. 
Of course, you don’t have to bring your own mountain bikes. The Hotel Altein Arosa, for example, which caters specifically to motorcyclists, has a number of high-quality bikes available which are happily loaned out to guests.

 

As well as sporting activities, Arosa offers another highlight that touches the heart and soul: the Arosa Bärenland at the Weisshornbahn’s midway station. It is a sanctuary for bears that have lost their former homes. Here they live in a near-natural environment, with plenty of space and tranquillity, and can enjoy their final years in nature and in a species-appropriate setting. On the suspended adventure trail, you walk right through the grounds and experience the brown bears at close quarters. The Altein Arosa is also a partner hotel of Bärenland. As a guest, you receive the Arosa Card, which also entitles you to reduced admission to Bärenland.

So, to sum up: when it comes to motorbike tours through Graubünden and neighbouring cantons, Arosa is an excellent choice. And the Hotel Altein Arosa, with everything it has to offer, is the perfect starting point not only for these tours but also for many other complementary activities that make your stay even more varied.

The dream route of 360 bends: combining driving pleasure with sightseeing attractions.

Even in Chur, practically from the very first bend, this is much more than just a drive through 360 bends. It feels like a journey of discovery.
Firstly, your adrenaline levels start to rise right from the off, as the route climbs more steeply here than you might expect; and secondly, it’s time to plan your first stop: at the Haldenhüttli. A hut has stood here since the mid-19th century, offering a fantastic view over Chur’s old town and the Rhine Valley. Parking is available.

And then the journey continues. Now one attraction follows another – along with varying bend radii and gradients.
The route alternates between picturesque old villages such as St. Peter, Langwies and Litzirüti, with their traditional façades and adjoining barns, and alpine landscapes that repeatedly offer charming distant views, high above the Schanfigger Valley.

Next stops include the unique Ruedi Rüssel petrol station – a very special place to fill up whilst enjoying the view – and the railway station in Langwies, which is an attraction in its own right. From there, there is a fabulous view of the Langwies Viaduct, which spans the Plessur River high above. As a pioneering concrete structure, the Langwies Viaduct – with a span of 100 metres – was the world’s longest-span railway bridge when it was completed in 1914. Today, it is listed as a cultural asset of national importance and remains a masterpiece of engineering.

The route continues upwards, following in the footsteps of the Rhaetian Railway. At times the track runs alongside the road, at others it crosses it, and at others still it swings in a wide arc high above the seemingly endless bends. The higher you climb, the wider the view becomes, and with every hairpin bend, Arosa draws nearer.

Alpine passes within easy reach on a day trip:

Lenzerheide, Albula Pass, Julier Pass, Flüela Pass, Glas Pass, Bernina Pass, Splügen Pass, Maloja Pass, Oberalp Pass, St Gotthard Pass, Tremola, Ofen Pass, Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass, Oberaar Panorama Road, Nufenen Pass