Guidelines

• Duration: approx. 6 hours
• Distance: 12.5km
• Altitude difference: +850m/-800m

Guidelines

• Duration: approx. 2-3 hours
• Altitude difference: -1530m
• Distance: 7.8km

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.

From the Chur railway station, follow the national cycling route no. 2 (Rhine route) and cycle at the riverbank to Landquart. In Landquart, cross the Rhine river and later at Sarelli go left and follow the road up to Pfäfers and carry on to Vättis through a rugged basin with almost vertical mountain slopes.

The final ascent to the pass takes you away from the traffic through unspoilt, splendid countryside. Shortly past the Eggwald mountain restaurant, you leave the Canton of St. Gallen and enter Grisons again before reaching the pass summit.

When crossing from the Tamina Valley into the Rhine Valley, the great differences at either side of the water divide are amazing. The final descent to Tamins is a special treat, offering views of the confluence of the Vorder and Hinter Rhine. From Tamins take the national cycle route No. 2 (Rhine route) back to Chur (or return by rail from Reichenau station).

You have to do this tour once. For many cyclists it is one of the annual highlights. You experience the mighty Calanda massif from all sides. And who would have thought that it looks so rugged and jagged from the back. The route is extremely varied with the enjoyable start along the Rhine route. Via a side road with little traffic, you reach Pfäfers, where you cross the impressive Tamina bridge that spans the gorge. A long path through the Tamina valley follows via Valens, past the Mapragg reservoir and via Vättis finally to the Kunkelspass. The Überruf mountain inn stands at the top of the pass and offers the ideal opportunity for refreshments before the descent via the Forstrasse, at the beginning through tunnels hewn into the rock, leads down towards Tamins. The way back from there again follows the Rhine back to the Alpine City of Chur.

The Kunkelspass connects the Tamina valley (SG) with the municipality of Tamins (GR). It lies between the steep walls of the Calanda in the east and the mountain group around the Ringelspitz in the west. The narrow road and the tunnel on the Tamins side with the panoramic openings in the tunnel wall were built during the First World War. The Kunkelspass also forms the eastern entrance to the geological wonderland of the Tectonic Arena Sardona. At the pass near the Überruf mountain restaurant there is a seminar room with information about the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A telescope offers the opportunity to have a close look at the Ringelspitz and the Glarus thrust or the demolition niche of the Tamins mountain fall.

The Calanda massif consists of the four peaks Haldensteiner Calanda (at 2,805m the highest), Felsberger Calanda, Taminser Calanda and Berger Calanda (above Untervaz).

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.

 You start the journey in Chur (593 m above sea level) and get on bike path no. 6 on the Polenweg to the imposing fortification Porta Rhaetica. From Rothenbrunnen the route makes its way over the gentle hills of the Domleschg fruit and castle country. In Paspels (757 m above sea level), you can marvel at the art works by the well-known artist Robert Indermaur. Lake Canova invites you to take a break, especially to cool down during summer. From here, it’s not far to Thusis, the historical trading place (680 m above sea level).

Stages

Overall route: Chur  – Chur

Stage 1: Chur – Thusis

Stage 2: Thusis – Glaspass – Thusis

Stage 3: Thusis – Andeer

Stage 4 Andeer – Lai da Vons – Splügen

Stage 5. Splügen – Splügen

Stage 6. Splügen – Chur

Along the right bank of the Rhine via Felsberg and Tamins, this tour first leads to Reichenau, where the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein is located, which can be seen impressively from the bridge. The tour continues picturesquely over the plateau of Bonaduz and Rhäzüns until you finally reach the Domleschg at Rothenbrunnen. Now follows a magnificent round tour through the southern-looking valley, which is characterized by rolling hills, orchards and numerous castles. A landscape that invites you to explore it on an e-bike. Again and again, the view sweeps over impressive castles, palaces and castle ruins - from Juvalt Castle near Rothenbrunnen to Hohen Rätien Castle near Sils, they characterize the Domleschg landscape. Lake Canova near Paspels invites you to take a refreshing dip in the water (bathing season from May to mid-October). The trail continues along the Polenweg with a view of the Rhäzünser Rheinauen, which are among the most intact floodplain landscapes in Switzerland and are of national importance. Behind the golf course of Domat/Ems with a view of the "Tumas" (the striking hills that originate from landslides and are under nature protection) then follows the last stretch back to the Alpine City of Chur. 

From Chur, you pass the cathedral on the Arosa road up to the beautiful Walser village of Maladers, at the beginning of the Schanfigg valley. From there, a relatively steep forest road leads through the woods and over beautiful alps with magnificent views into the long valley. Without e-drive a hard piece of work for the legs and even with drive you are challenged depending on the support level. But it is worth it. At the hamlet of Lamärs at 1,739m, the trail continues on foot and is really steep, before the final traverse along the mountain flank and finally forward to the summit of the Fürhörnli. The final passage and the summit are exposed, so caution is advised. From the Fürhörnli, which towers like a balcony above the city of Chur, a magnificent panorama reveals itself.

If you want to go even higher, follow the blue signpost on the alpine hiking trail via Saldein and up through the steep flank to the summit of Montalin after the steep foot climb. Good footwear and surefootedness is a prerequisite for the ascent. The panorama, on the other hand, is even more impressive up here and it is not uncommon to see ibexes in the steep western flanks of the Montalin.

The descent follows the same route. For technically experienced mountain bikers who still have reserves, there are also various trail options from the Fürhörnli or via MIttenberg back to Chur.