Along the mountain road through Praden; Bärenschlucht canyon crossing and on down to Grida-Passugg. Natural pathway from the resort to the Plessurbrücke (bridge). Chur cathedral with two significant Jakob exhibitions and Martinskirchplatz town centre.

This trail from Brambrüesch to Feldis – or the other way around – leads over the gentle plateau with many vistas around the Dreibündenstein. At the stone monument of the former Three Leagues of Rhaetia, you can admire a 360-degree panorama extending from the town’s home mountains surrounding Chur, the Arosa and Lenzerheide, up to the Glarus Alps.

Well visible on the Ringelspitz, lying opposite and reaching up to the Flims Mountains (Segnes, Tschingelhörner) is the UNESCO World Heritage site «Tektonikarena Sardona» (Glarus thrust). In this area, processes of the formation of the Alps can be seen particularly well. The central element is the Glarus main thrust fault, which is as sharp as a blade in an area where older rocks were thrust over the younger material when the Alps formed. The panorama info board at the highest point of the hike (Furggabüel, 2174 m above sea level) provides information about the World Heritage site and all names and altitudes of the surrounding mountain peaks.

The descent leads along idyllic landscapes with snow-covered forests and Alp settlements to Mutta, where you can take a comfortable ride on the chairlift to Feldis. The terrace on the slope of the Stätzerhornkette is the northern-most location in the mountain villages of the Domleschg. Cozy restaurants with sun terraces can be found in Brambrüesch, Mutta, and Feldis for enjoyment and recreation.

This biking tour starts in Chur, a city surrounded by 937 Grisons mountain peaks. There are plenty of things to do and see here in Switzerland's oldest town. Wanting mountain magic or vibrant city life? Chur in the Alps has both. This is a round trip amid magnificent scenery and with gentle climbs and beautiful descents. Leave the pulsating city behind you as you continue along the Plessur towards Meiersboden. This pleasant route goes up to Passugg, where the famous Passugg mineral water has been bubbling out of the Theophil Spring for over 400 years. From Passugg follow the street upwards for a moment. Then turn right and follow the Polenweg to Churwalden. Turn left at the monastery and ride through the Chlosterwald to the Oberhus and then on to Spina. High above the municipality of Malix, the route continues steadily upwards until you get to the Brambrüesch plateau, the location of the mountain station for the Chur mountain railway. Here, several guesthouses offer you the opportunity to recharge your batteries while enjoying outstanding views of the many mountain peaks. The descent takes you through meadows and pastures to the Känzeli, Rosenhügel, Obertor and finally ends in the traffic free Oldtown (or if you prefer a proper trail descent, just follow one of the official freeride trails in the Alpenbikepark Chur). Perfect to finish the tour in one of the many terraces. In early summer this tour is magnificent due to its Alpine flora and fauna.

A view over Chur from the Rosenhügel. Through a cutting, over fields and meadows, to Domat/Ems - built around 7 hills. And along the Senda Sursilvana river to Tamins, where the Vorder and Hinterrhein meet. A visit to Rhäzüns and the famous Kirche Son Gieri with Jakobus display is well recommended.

The Schanfigg region is characterised by the two important towns of Chur and Arosa at the entrance and end of the valley. In between there are small and medium-sized villages that have retained their original character despite the tourist development in Arosa.

5 tips on the Schanfigger Höhenweg:

1. Tschiertschen: This picturesque village was voted the most beautiful mountain village in Graubünden.

2. Arosa: There is much to discover here; the Arosa Bärenland, the Eichhörnliweg (squirrel trail) or loosen up tired hiking legs in the cool waters of the Untersee lido.

3. Sapün and Heimeli mountain inn: The side valley of Sapün is one of the scenic highlights of this long-distance hike. With a bit of luck, you can observe wild animals from the terrace of the mountain inn.

4. Lake Grüensee in Fondei: Lake Grüensee on the Durannapass is too beautiful to simply walk past. Treat yourself to a break.

5. Hochwang: The section between Fondei and Hochwang is perfect as a photo subject: moorland landscapes, flower meadows, sun-baked wooden stables.

The individual Schanfigger stages are between three and six hours long. Since some of the stage locations are served by public transport, there are various options for getting on and off. This allows flexible tour planning to suit your own needs and ambitions.

Route 1: Chur - Tschiertschen

Route 2: Tschiertschen - Arosa

Route 3: Arosa - Sapün

Route 4: Sapün - Fondei

Route 5: Fondei - Hochwang

Route 6: Hochwang - Chur

Enjoy the tour as a multi-day stage hike. Let yourself be spoilt in the rustic "Bergbeizli" or enjoy a picnic in the middle of unique Alpine flora.

Overnight accommodation: in each case at the Etappe location.

Tschiertschen, Arosa, Berggasthaus Heimeli, Berggasthaus Strassberg or Casanna, Hochwanghütte, Chur.

Bahnhof Chur - Tschiertschen - Arosa - Sapün (Heimeli) - Strassberg - Hochwang - Maladers - Chur

The imposing castle ruins of Zignau and Schlans face each other on opposite sides of the gentle Surselva slopes, as if resembling a gateway to mark the beginning or end of this breathtaking bike tour. This tour quite simply has everything a biker could wish for.

An Alpine to high-Alpine route with numerous height metres, testing passes, breathtaking views, remote valleys and sensational trails. A gentle, simple meadow trail winds over the Durannapass, the ascent to the Strelapass is steep, rough and challenging and the Kunkelspass is romantic biking bliss. The top highlight is the seemingly unspectacular section between Filisur and Lenzerheide. This cave, meadow, forest, tunnel and reed-bed trail is great fun and will also give less experienced bikers a true biking tingle.

The technically and physically demanding route is recommended for experienced bikers and best travelled in high summer and early autumn.

Stages:

90.1 Trun–Laax
90.2 Laax–Untervaz
90.3 Untervaz–Küblis
90.4 Küblis–Langwies
90.5 Langwies–Davos
90.6 Davos–Bergün
90.7 Bergün–Lenzerheide
90.8 Lenzerheide–Thusis
90.9 Thusis–Safien Platz
90.10 Safien Platz–Lumbrein
90.11 Lumbrein–Trun

The starting point of this mountain bike tour is the village of Bonaduz, which together with Rhäzüns forms an actual high plateau. Bonaduz is also the gateway to the Rhine Gorge Natural Monument.

After crossing the idyllic forest landscape near Bonaduz on well-maintained forest paths, an ascent follows on a road with little traffic, which leads to Sigl'Ault with great views. This is soon followed by a single trail that leads smoothly down to the panoramic road above the Rhine Gorge. The "Ruinaulta", as the gorge is called in Romansh, is one of the most magnificent and diverse landscapes in the Alps, which was formed by a landslide 10,000 years ago. You follow this road with a magnificent view down below, past the "Zault" viewing platform (photo stop recommended), before finally diving back into the forests and driving back to Bonaduz on extensive forest paths.

- The chairlift Tgantieni, Scalottas and Weisshorn 2nd does not transport downhill bikes (double crown fork)!

- Transport of bikes with a maximum weight of 25 kg: Gondola lifts Chur-Brambrüesch 2nd section.

No less than five cable cars make the ascents on this round tour easier for you. You start with the two chairlifts from Lenzerheide via Tgantieni to Piz Scalottas. Once there, a good 4 km long, partly steep descent to Churwalden awaits you. On the beautiful single trail along the elevation curve you pass the Junehütte - take a moment and enjoy the wide view over the whole valley. After Parpan you pass lush alpine meadows to the Maiensäss settlement Mittelberg - Büel.

The final ride leads to Runcalier, over a short stretch on the Tschiertschen main road and a flowing trail in the Steinbach forest to Chur. Here the mountain railroad takes you via Känzeli up to Brambrüesch. From Brambrüesch you continue to Churwalden. From Churwalden the panoramic cable car Heidbüel brings you back up to 1930 m.a.s.l. After a short transfer on the gravel road a last trail highlight awaits you from the mountain restaurant Spoina to the Heidsee between Lenzerheide and Valbella.

Whole tour: 42 km (5 km chair and gondola ride)

Taking the Tgantieni chairlift, the first step of the tour is comfortably begun. Above lies the alpine path, going to the Tgantieni Mountain Hotel and then further onto the Bergbeizli (small mountain pub) Spoina. The first part runs over well-prepared forest roads with occasional glimpses of Lenzerheide and Heid lake. The gentle descent passes the Valbella hostel and goes through Parpan village back to Churwalden.

A further nature trail brings you to Passugg, which is the source of a famous mineral water. The roaring creek Rabiosa, in Romansch «The Raging», cuts its way through the Passugg gorge. In 1863 this spring was rediscovered, which is known today throughout Switzerland as the mineral springs of Passugg. Next you drop down to Chur and take the gondola back up to Brambrüesch. From here descend again on a tarmac surface to Churwalden, where you take the chairlift Heidbüel.

Guidelines

• Duration: 4 hours 
• Altitude difference: +1359m (start bus stop Tamins Unterdorf)
• Distance: 9.3km