The hike starts at Reichenau railway station, where you first cross the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein rivers and then walk along the Vorderrhein to Trin Station. After an initial stretch through the village, a beautiful hiking trail follows, always along the Rhine. In between there are always beautiful vantage points and good opportunities for breaks or barbecues. The hike is also ideal for families with small children, who can already hike on their own or are otherwise carried in a carry backpack (but not recommended for prams). At Trin Station you can optionally cross the Rhine on the suspension bridge.

This circuit leads from Reichenau, the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein, along the Vorderrhein to Trin Station. Here you cross the Rhine over a 100 meter long suspension bridge (Punt Ruinaulta). A short, steep ascent follows. On the further way it is worth visiting the ruins of Wackenau and the viewing platform, which is slightly below the ruins and accessible from May to October. Through the Bonaduz forest you then return to Reichenau.

The scenic Rhine Valley near Chur, as well as Graubünden's north, known as Bündner Herrschaft, are regions that are predestined for wonderful walks and beautiful hiking tours. The wine villages and hiking trails are aligned like pearls along the Rhine River. Hike on a breezy autumn day when the "Föhn" blows across the Alps, when the wine harvest is drawing close and when one of the wine villages is preparing for a colorful fall festival - these are truly unforgettable experiences!

There are 3 circular tours through the vineyards along the way, Trimmis/Zizers (appr. 4 km), Malans/Jenins (appr. 10 km), Maienfeld/Fläsch (appr. 10 km). Together with the main trail from Chur to Fläsch (30 km), there are more than 40 km of signposted hiking tours available. A special map of the wine hiking trail is available at the tourist information at the railway station in Chur, as well as along the the way in the wine villages.

Due to its sunny location in the valley, the wine hiking trails are a good option almost all year round.

From the train station we follow the Arosa railway line to Meiersboden. In the forest, the path climbs to the Passugg spring. From there, go past the building on the right. After crossing the Rabiosa, the path climbs up to Malix. The trail continues through Malix past the Weisshütte until we finally reach the Känzeli mountain station. We enjoy the descent with a wonderful view of the city of Chur. From the valley station, the route leads through the Welschdörfli back to the train station. Please note the travel times of the Känzelibahn. In Malix, you can also use the post bus for the return journey.

The hike lasts almost 2 hours and leads from sunny Maladers through the forest towards the Mittenbergbelt and via the St.Luzi Chapel to the Haldenhüttli (small hut) from where you have a fantastic view over the city.

Comfortable arrival, enjoyable hike

The easy hike from Maladers (1000m) to Chur (600m) is suitable for everyone. With only a 15 minute bus ride from Chur we arrive at the starting point from where we start walking towards Oberdorf. After the first intersecting road we turn left and follow the directional sign to Chur. If you need supplies for the hike or a small souvenir, you might find it at Sina's farm shop. The path to Chur passes the cemetery and leads towards Mittenberg/Kleinwaldegg where it enters the forest. After a while we arrive at the little chapel St.Luzi. From there it is not far until we reach the Haldenhüttli (small hut) in the vineyards above Chur.

Author: Hansjürg Gredig, ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management

Sina's farm shop for a souvenir

Author: Hansjürg Gredig, ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management

The hike lasts almost 2 hours and leads from sunny Maladers through the forest towards the Mittenbergbelt and via the St.Luzi Chapel to the Haldenhüttli (small hut) from where you have a fantastic view over the city.

Comfortable arrival, enjoyable hike

The easy hike from Maladers (1000m) to Chur (600m) is suitable for everyone. With only a 15 minute bus ride from Chur we arrive at the starting point from where we start walking towards Oberdorf. After the first intersecting road we turn left and follow the directional sign to Chur. If you need supplies for the hike or a small souvenir, you might find it at Sina's farm shop. The path to Chur passes the cemetery and leads towards Mittenberg/Kleinwaldegg where it enters the forest. After a while we arrive at the little chapel St.Luzi. From there it is not far until we reach the Haldenhüttli (small hut) in the vineyards above Chur.

Author: Hansjürg Gredig, ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management

As part of the 2nd Legends and Fairy Tale Days Chur, a guided hike to the Grottenstein castle ruins will take place on 25 November 2018 at 10 a.m. with exciting stories from the local world of legends, treasure-guarding cave fairies, enchanted toads and the golden skittles...  The stories are mysteriously interwoven with the direct experience of nature in the wintry mountain forest and in the enigmatic cave castle, where the campfire makes twitching shadows dance on the rock faces.

The ruins of Grottenstein Castle are located above Haldenstein. Little is known about its history, but a spring in the castle cave indicates a possible use as a refuge in times of need. Contrary to expectations, the name Grottenstein does not derive from the word Grotte in the sense of cave. Rather, the cave castle was originally called Chrottenstein, where Chrott means "toad". The reference to the toad now allows for completely different associations. The coinage as a toad place as well as local legends of a white maiden who guards sunken treasures and guards unborn souls inside the mountain, build mysterious bridges to mythology. In numerous legends, the toad and the white maiden appear as contrasting manifestations of the same entity, which often guards a hidden treasure of gold in caves and castle ruins. The auspicious treasure of gold is analogous to the basic maxim of alchemy, but is to be understood above all as a symbol for an inner treasure of the soul, an essential step in development or a realization. 

The tour starts at the Chur train station, from where you soon follow the local stream called Plessur, which later on flows into the Rhine. Along the tree-covered riverside of the Rhine, you walk at the foot of the impressive Calanda mountain. On the way back to the city you will pass Switzerland's largest mural painting at the Mühleturm, then follow the Mühlebach stream and pass by the 1'200 m2 large sculpture park at the Forum Würth, where you can see artworks of famous artists like Jean Tinguely, Bernhard Luginbühl, Not Vital or Niki de Saint Phalle.

The Chur city bus no. 2 takes you the Fürstenwald above of the city. This is the starting point of this hiking tour. From there, follow the wide forest road steadily up to Mittenberg. On the way and on the Mittenberg you will find fountains with fresh spring water. Up at Mittenberg, you have a wonderful panorama view into the Chur Rhine valley and the surrounding mountains and is an ideal place for a picknick, as well.

Descent along the pastures to Maladers, Brandacker and below the Arosa street into the direction of the city again, past the Episcopal courtyard with the famous cathedral. There you will enter the wonderful and historic Old town of Chur again.