Juf, Alpine village in Grisons, Switzerland
Juf is an alpine settlement split into two distinct sections positioned near the Jufer Rhein river at around 2,126 meters elevation in Avers municipality. The village sits on high plateaus where scattered buildings dot the treeless terrain.
The settlement was founded in 1292 by Walser people who migrated into this high mountain region of Graubünden. Their early arrival established a lasting community that would endure for centuries above the tree line.
Daily life here revolves around traditional mountain farming, with residents managing livestock herds and harvesting hay across the alpine meadows. These activities have shaped how people relate to the landscape and sustain themselves in this remote setting.
Year-round post bus connections reach the village with roughly eight daily services for visitors. Access follows a mountain road that can become challenging during poor weather conditions.
The village stands as the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Western Europe, home to roughly 31 residents from six families. This small community lives entirely above the tree line in extreme geographic isolation.
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