The Chur city bus, line no. 2 from Chur rail station with destination Obere Au, takes you to the starting point of this historic hike. At Obere Au, where the municipal sports facilities with swimming pool and barbecue area are also located, you cross a sparse copse, past the sand tennis courts to CampAu. The Plessur flows into the Rhine here. Now cross the Plessur bridge and continue along the right bank of the Rhine to the Pardisla bridge, where you finally cross the Rhine. Now follow the left bank of the Rhine until a path branches off to the left towards Haldenstein Dorfa. Continue through the upper village and follow the road up to Haldenstein Ruin.

Haldenstein Ruins

During the 12th century, the lords of Lichtenstein, mentioned in documents in 1180, split into two lines. The Lichtenstein branch retained the castle of the same name, while the Haldensteins, first mentioned in 1260, built their ancestral seat above the village of Haldenstein. After the extinction of the Lichtenstein branch, their property passed to the Haldensteins. The family died out at the end of the 14th century. From 1381 onwards, there were several changes of ownership. At the beginning of the 16th century, the castle was owned by Conradin von Marmals. After the death of Jakob von Marmals, the dominion and Haldenstein Castle passed to the French envoy, J.J. von Castion, the second husband of Jakob's widow. He had the new castle built in the village in 1542. Haldenstein Castle was still inhabited until 1695. In 1567 Gregor von Hohenbalken bought up the lordship, which developed into a sovereign dwarf state thanks to a letter of protection from the three confederations. Thereafter several changes of ownership. On 24 Dec. 1769, the south wall of the palace collapsed. After further earthquakes, in 1771 and 1787, other parts of the building collapsed. In 1803, the dominion lost its independence and was united with Graubünden.The Haldenstein ruins are difficult to access. The interior of the castle can be reached via the original access, fragments of which have been preserved (narrow rock band along the vertically sloping rock edge). Alternatively, there is a narrow window embrasure through which you can pull yourself through lying on your back.

>> Descend again briefly and then straight up until you reach the turnoff to the left to the Grottenstein ruins.

Grottenstein Ruins

As the name suggests, Grottenstein is a grotto castle. It exploits a natural cave under a prominent rocky outcrop. Water still seeps out of the rock in the cave today. This water deposit could have been the reason for the use of the rock overhang. The grotto castles are well protected from the weather by their location under the natural rock canopy. The need for renovation at Haldenstein's Grottenstein Castle is correspondingly low.

>> Return the same way and walk up a short distance along the road, then turn right and follow the path to the Lichtenstein ruins.

Lichtenstein Ruins

The ruins of Lichtenstein Castle are dominated by the main façade, which is visible from afar and set against the outermost edge of the abruptly sloping rock face. The preserved silhouette is reminiscent of a reclining cat with erect ears, hence the popular name "Katzenburg" (cat castle). The steady decay of the Lichtenstein ruin can be traced in historical illustrations. The stucco depiction from 1780 from the banqueting hall of the castle shows, in addition to the tower that still exists today in the northeast, an equally high part of the building in the southwest. The courtyard wall in the north-east still has intact battlements.

>> Return the same way and, after branching off into the lower road, shortly afterwards follow the hiking trail to the left in the direction of Haldenstein and on to Haldenstein Castle.

Haldenstein Castle

Haldenstein Castle is located on the southern edge of the village. It was built in the early 16th century on the site of an older stone house and was extended and sumptuously furnished by Johann Jacob von Castion in 1544-48; among other things, it has rich panelling that was sold abroad in the 1880s and can now be admired in Köpenick Castle near Berlin. In 1703, the castle came into the possession of the von Salis family. In 1731, Hubert von Salis added a storey, but it was largely destroyed by fire in 1732 and restored in 1732/33. From 1763-1771, the northern part of the castle housed an important seminary with up to 100 students at times, which was later moved to Marschlins Castle near Igis. In 1832, the castle passed to the Salis-Soglio family, who had it rebuilt around 1900. In 1922 it came into the possession of the Batänjer family and has been the property of a foundation since 1966. In 1986-1999 the castle was restored; today it serves as the headquarters of the Haldenstein municipal administration and the Graubünden Archaeological Service. Its rooms are made available by the foundation on a rental basis for a wide variety of events.

>> Way back to Chur

From the castle, follow the stairs down and along Bahnhofstrasse and over the Rhine bridge towards the Haldenstein-Rheinbrücke bus stop. Just above is the Haldenstein railway station. By train or bus you can get back to the city centre of Chur.

This tour takes you from Chur through the wine regions of the Rhine valley and the Bündner Herrschaft. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and villages in this region. The journey back to Chur is along the well known bicycling route along the Rhine river.

First you cycle through the historic Old town, cross the Plessur river and ride out of the city on a marked cycling path. Soon you get into the forest. At point 729 you can either take a left and ascent to Schönegg. On top you will enjoy gorgeous views into the surrounding mountain scenery (Calanda, Ringelspitz, Rhätikon, mountains around Flims) and the Chur Rhine valley.

For the descent cross the small alp and follow the narrow and technical single track on the right side. Two times you will cross the street and then follow it for a short track, befor finally you will ride a trail with lots of flow back to the city.

This route takes you through the hills of the Bündner Herrschaft, past huge vineyards and picturesque Torkeln, up to the St. Luzisteig. At 713 metres above sea level, the top of the pass is reached.  A rapid descent leads further down into Liechtenstein. From there it goes back on the Rhine dam in the direction of Chur. Flat and without car traffic, the Rhine dam invites you to really push your pedals. The Rhine dam ends at Bad Ragaz and the route leads along country roads via Bad Ragaz back to Landquart. From there, take  the same route back to Chur as you came. 

This leisurely circular hike leads along wide natural paths along the Calanda massif. The hike starts from the Obere Au and leads along the Rhine to Haldenstein, where the path leads up to the Panorama Trail. Optionally, the tour can also be started from Haldenstein. 

 
Closure of the finish slope Arabüehl: Please note that the section of the Panorama Trail, which runs through the Waffenplatz finish slope (Calanda finish slope), is only open from Friday, 5 p.m. to Monday, 7 a.m. General winter closure from mid-November to mid-April. More information at https://www.vtg.admin.ch/de/die-schweizer-armee/waffen-schiessplaetze/waffenplatz-chur.html 

This hike starts at the bus stop Obere Au P+R, where there are also parking facilities. From here the path leads to the Rhine. From here, the path runs along the banks of the Rhine to the Pardisla Bridge. This bridge is crossed and the path continues to Oldiswald, where the path turns left. Follow this path to the village entrance Haldenstein, where the höhenweg begins. 

Here the path winds gently up the hill. Continue over pastures and through forest, along the Calanda massif. On the way, there are always wonderful viewpoints of Chur and the surrounding mountains. Various benches invite you to take a break and enjoy the panorama. 

Soon you have reached the military target slope Arabüehl above Chur. As soon as you have traversed it, you will continue through a tunnel on a paved road. This leads down, in the direction of Felsberg. At the bottom of unter Neugüter Strasse, the path leads to the left, in the direction of the banks of the Rhine. Along the Rhine it goes back to the starting point in the Upper Au. Alternatively, you can turn right on Unter Neugüter Strasse and walk to Felsberg and end the tour there.

In the Fürstenwald near Chur there are three signposted jogging / nordic walking trails available:

• Short Trail (blue route)
• Medium Trail (green route)
• Long Trail (yellow route)

The Fürstenwald is a recreational area near Chur. It offers a diverse and popular route network for joggers and nordic walkers.

In the Fürstenwald near Chur there are three signposted jogging / nordic walking trails available:

• Short Trail (Route blue)
• Medium Trail (route green)
• Long Trail (Route yellow) 

The Fürstenwald is a recreational area near Chur. It offers a diverse and popular route network for joggers and nordic walkers.

The start is in Chur on the Quaderwiese, from there it leads through the old town on the road Chur-Arosa to sand. Over a gravel road it continues to Passugg. In Passugg the route leads around the building of the beverage manufacturer Passugger and leaves the road again on a dirt road. From Passugg the route follows the Polenweg to Churwalden. In Churwalden the route first goes through the village and then towards Büel, Foppa. From Foppa it goes down via Mittelberg to Parpan. From there the route leads over the Parpanerhöhe to Valbella. From Canols it continues once around the Heidsee to Lenzerheide.

From Waldhausstall at Fürstenwald follow the forest road to Mittenberg at 1'100 meters. The track is signposted and the venue of the twice-yearly Mittenberg race. For the descent back there are different variants. Either follow the forest road back to Waldhausstall or one of the various trails back to the valley.

From Chur, this varied route first leads along the Plessur river to Meiersboden. There the beautiful ascent begins, which first leads to Passugg. After a short stretch on the road follows the further ascent to Churwalden on the very worthwhile "Polenweg", which was extended by Poles from 1940-44 and thus got its name. In Churwalden then follows the actual ascent on the "Jochwäg", at the beginning on a mountain road, later on forest roads through forests and over beautiful alps ever higher up to the actual summit destination - the Churer Joch. Magnificent alpine flora and views of the mountain world of Lenzerheide characterize the beautiful ascent. For the rewarding deep view down to the Alpine City of Chur and the mighty Calanda massif behind it, it is worth making the short climb to the highest point and all the way to the front.

Now follows a long descent on the other side of the Joch. The landscape and view here is no less attractive than on the other side, because now you look directly into the Schanfigg valley with its picturesque Walser villages and mountain landscapes. After the short counter-ascension, the mighty Arosa Weisshorn also shows itself from the rear side at the Hühnerköpfe mountain restaurant. The further descent follows the mountain road, past the beautiful Furgglis mountain restaurant to the Walser village of Tschiertschen. Whether in one of the mountain restaurants or in Tschiertschen itself in the Hotel/Restaurant Alpina on the large panorama terrace, a stopover is definitely worthwhile. Finally, there is the descent on the little-used mountain road to Passugg and from there back on the ascent route 255 via Meiersboden back to Chur.