Pass Roman Disentis - Curaglia

 We begin our hike at the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train stop in Acla da Fontauna and already find the first traces from earlier times. A path lined with old stone walls leads us to the Sontga Gada Church (Romansh name). Saint Agatha is the patron saint of walkers, paths, and bridges, and many a hiker has probably prayed here for protection. The church was built around 1100 in Roman style. The frescoes inside, which originated in the 15th century, are well worth seeing.

The descent to the bridge over the Rhine, whose foundations date back to Roman times, is easier today than it was then. The path up to Mompé Medel is steep, and we are already glad for the first time that we do not have to carry loads like our ancestors. In the 17th century, this section was mentioned in a deed as "the bridges where one goes towards St. Valentin." The church in the village is dedicated to Saint Valentin.

After the village, we repeatedly find remains of the old mule track, which leads high above the gorge of the Medelser Rhine to Curaglia. Only towards the end of the 18th century, when gunpowder was invented, could a passable path be blasted out in the gorge, after which the route via Mompe Medel was no longer needed for goods transport. From Curaglia, the post bus takes us back to Disentis.

A detour to the village of Mutschnengia is recommended. An interesting suspension bridge spans the Val Mutschnengia, and there is also a restaurant with a sun terrace. www.hotel-cuntera.ch

At the stop in Acla da Fontauna, we start heading south on a marked path to Mompé Medel. From the church, we walk a short distance on an asphalt road until the junction of the hiking trail towards Curaglia. When we reach the road again before Curaglia, we need about 40 minutes to reach the village.