Pagig: Hiking and Village History in the Schanfigg

Pagig is in the Plessur region and is a hamlet of the municipality of Arosa in the canton of Graubünden. It is located on the right-hand, northern side of the Schanfigg valley. The terrain in the valley stretches from the deeply cut Plessur River across steep slopes and alpine pastures to the Hochwang range. Pagig is about eight kilometres as the crow flies east of Chur and around 60 metres above the cantonal road to Arosa.

Hiking in the Schanfigg

The Schanfigg Village Trail runs along the right-hand side of the valley between Arosa and Chur, passing through St. Peter/Pagig. You can walk it as a circular route over several day stages or plan individual sections as day trips. These sections can be combined with travel on the Rhaetian Railway or by PostBus. Before setting out, check connections and timetables so you can plan the hike and travel sections to suit your needs.

A 53-kilometre network of hiking trails runs through the Schanfigg valley, allowing you to explore its villages. In addition to the route of the Village Trail, the region therefore offers a larger network of paths for excursions through the valley’s municipalities. The two figures provide different points of reference: the Village Trail is a route between Arosa and Chur, while the hiking trail network connects the villages of the Schanfigg.

Winter Trails and Snow Sports

Prepared trails lead from the Hochwang Hut to Pagig and are suitable for extended winter walks. If you are planning such a walk, check local trail conditions and access in advance. This will help you adapt your outing to the conditions on site.

The Hochwang snow sports area offers eight natural-snow pistes totalling 25 kilometres. Operations are seasonal, and piste availability may vary. In winter, a sports bus runs to the valley station for the snow sports area in Fatschél. Check its operating days and timetable before planning your visit; the piste offering and bus service are two separate things to consider.

Church and History

The church of St. Peter is open all year round. Check current opening hours before your visit. Its foundations date back to the mid-8th century. During renovations in 1922, long-forgotten frescoes were uncovered. They can be seen especially in the choir and beside the pulpit. The church thus brings together a long architectural history and rediscovered paintings.

Pagig’s local history also points to earlier connections in the region: the village had historical ties to the former League of the Ten Jurisdictions and belonged to the parish of St. Peter. The Reformation was introduced around 1530. Along with the church and its frescoes, these details offer different insights into the history of the village and the Schanfigg.

Sound and Local Garden

The “Geiss-Wippen” sound installation recalls the former gatherings of goats from St. Peter and Pagig for the ascent to and descent from the alpine pastures. The sound objects were designed and built by artist and carpenter Fabio Spink. The installation thus combines a local farming motif with composed sounds.

The organic garden Schanfigg in Pagig shows how soil, plants and animals work together. The Bio Garten Schanfigg offers freshly harvested seasonal organic vegetables, herbs, homemade specialities and flowers every week. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting schedule in advance.

Discover more destinations: Langwies, Castiel, Churwalden, Chur, Litzirüti, Praden, Malix, Tschiertschen

See the overview of the wider region: Plessur.