In the professional dog salon in the heart of Chur's old town  , Lea Gertschen - dipl. Dog hairdresser and animal keeper EFZ - about the care of your four-legged friend. 

Haldenstein is the ideal starting point for biking or hiking tours up to 2,800-meter-high Calanda mountain. The mountain range between the Rhine and Tamina valleys is a fascinating landscape offering spectacular views down to the urban valley floor around Chur and onto the Alps. Not far from the village there is the climbing garden Haldenstein, considered the first of its kind in Switzerland. It was comprehensively renovated in 2012 and 2013. But those who are not out for an athletic challenge will feel just as at home in Haldenstein. The banks of the Rhine are the perfect scene for leisurely walks or cycling trips, horse rides and picnics.

Despite the short distance to the cantonal capital Chur, Haldenstein has retained its rural character to this day. However, things to get busy every other year in May, when the Garden Festival at Haldenstein Castle opens its doors to the delight of garden and plant lovers from near and far. It also offers numerous other attractions. Alternating with the Garden Festival, every other year Haldenstein Castle becomes the stage for impressive outdoor opera productions by the Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Graubünden.

History

The area around Haldenstein has been settled during the medieval and Roman periods and as far back as prehistoric times. In the mid-12th century, the church of Haldenstein is first mentioned in a document. It was replaced by a new church in 1732. It's the only church in the bishopric of Chur that is dedicated to St. Gereon. The Reformation did not arrive in Haldenstein until the first half of the 17th century, nearly a century later than in neighbouring Chur.

Its location between Calanda mountain and the Rhine means that the village has faced many perils: In 1868, it was devastated by a flooding of the Rhine, and in 1971 there was a mudflow at Calanda. The village was hit by fire in 1825 and threatened again by a devastating forest blaze in 1943. 

The impressive castle was built in the early 16th century. From 1544 to 1548 the structure was expanded and magnificently decorated. Part of it was panelling which today is at Köpenick Castle in Berlin. The castle was extended by a floor in 1731. One year later it was damaged by fire and immediately rebuilt. From 1763, the north wing of the castle was home to the Phiantrhopinum, a well-known educational institution. Today, Haldenstein Castle hosts the Garden Festival and many other cultural events.

Haldenstein was originally a Romansh-speaking community, but Germanisation set in around the 14the century, even before it had reached Chur. Haldenstein gets its name from the castle above the village. Haldenstein Castle was build in the mid-12th century and was the seat of the house Haldenstein. The castle was inhabited until the end of the 17th century, before it was destroyed by earthquakes in 1769 and 1787. Another fortress, Lichtenstein Castle, was built in the 12th century and was located on a mountain ridge some distance north of the village. It was probably abandoned in the 15th century, after it had come into possession of the Lords of Haldenstein when the house of Lichtenstein died out at the end of the 13th century.

Batänja

Halfway up mount Calanda, at about 1,400 metres above sea level, lies the abandoned settlement Batänja, formerly called Sewils. It was gifted to the brothers Hans, Dietrich and Jos Batänier, a family of Walser origin, by the nobleman Peter von Griffensee. It was inhabited until 1869 and even had its own school. Today, the landowners coordinate a great voluntary effort to ensure the upkeep of the buildings in Batänja.

Here you can find the latest trends in fashion and footwear, as well as the largest choice of international premium and exclusive niche brands.

 The Oberalp playground was the first nature playground to be opened in the city of Chur. The playground does not include traditional playground equipment. Instead, the aim of the ground is to encourage children to playfully discover the terrain. The emerging natural ground with a diverse topography invites its visitors to help shape it.

Mountain sports shop with the best choice in Graubünden, with professional advice and outlet.

The Number One DIY store in the Chur region. Here you can find everything from A–Z.

 Location: City West shopping centre car park

Number of parking spaces: Parking 1: 380 PP / Parking 2: 84 PP / Parking 3: 95 PP 

Disabled parking spaces: Parking 1: 4 PP / Parking 2:  1 PP / Parking 3: 1 PP

Entrance height: Parking 1: 2.30m / Parking 2: 2.35m

Administration: Domenig Immobilien AG, Belmontstrasse 1, 7006 Chur, Tel. 081 286 73 10

The Haldenhüttli is a small wooden pavilion on Schanfiggerstrasse, which leads from Chur to Arosa. The pavilion was built in 1879 by the Chur city association as part of the idea of turning Chur into a climatic health resort. It is also an observation point and retreat for lovers and offers a romantic view of the city to the southwest. The board with the panoramic map on the site helps visitors identify the surrounding peaks.

Are you planning a group trip or would you like to travel for a few days? Then you've come to the right place at the W. Roth Chur travel agency: The travel specialist offers car tours throughout Europe and has one of the most modern car fleets in the region. From day trips to holiday trips, the team is happy to organize trips for you - individually tailored to your requirements and needs. In addition to short and long-distance trips, the car travel agency also offers club trips, company events,  wedding trips and event trips.  

The strengths of the W. Roth Chur travel agency at a glance: 

• Individually arranged coach tours, on request with personal advice on itinerary or individual program modules
• Clean, well-maintained and modern coaches from 13 – 51 seats
• Courteous, friendly staff
• Personal contact
• Reliable and serious execution of the journeys entrusted to us

Five varied trails in three levels of difficulty (blue / red / black) are available on Chur's local mountain. There is an altitude difference of 1,000 metres between the starting point at 1,595 metres and the valley station at 595 metres. The trails are peppered with numerous elements such as steep wall curves, jumps, northshores, drops, root and stone passages. The breathtaking view into the Rhine valley makes your pulse beat faster. The arrival at the finish in the Alpine City of Chur is unique: where else can you enjoy a coffee or a ice cream in the cosy ambience of a car-free old town before climbing back onto the cableways and looking forward to the next descent.

• View Bikepark map

The bike trails, known since the MTB Swiss Championships 2009, have been steadily expanded since then. Many returning visitors describe the Alpenbikepark as one of the best bike parks in Switzerland due to its varied set-up and well-maintained tracks. The constant expansions over the years have made the park a real insider tip. 

Due to the relatively low altitude of the bike park (lower distances: 1170 - 595 m, upper distances: 1595 - 1170 m) the Alpenbikepark is also an established attraction in the low season. The pre-season in spring starts unsually already in April and the autumn season often lasts well into the wintertime.

Track overview

• 701 Brambi Flow (blue)

The Brambi Flow is a flowtrail in the upper section of the Alpenbikepark Chur. The trail is designed that it can be operated even by beginners as a twisty singletrail. Many riparian curves provide a powerful flow and lots of fun, whether biking downhill or cross country.

• 702 Alpenride (red)

The Alpenride is a trail in the upper section of the Alpenbikepark Chur. It is a freeride classic with several jumps, drops and a good mix between easier and more difficult sections.

• 703 Rock'n'Roll (black)

The Rock'n'Roll is a trail in the upper section of the Alpenbikepark Chur. As the name implies: The thing rocks and rolls! Technically demanding and with many jumps advanced downhillers get their money's worth.

• 707 Chur Flow (blue)

The Chur Flow is a trail in the lower section of the Alpenbikepark Chur. The route is moderately steep and very varied. The main line works well for beginners. But also freeride cracks appreciate the route thanks to some crunchy side lines with jumps, drops, step-up & step-down and more elements.

• 708 Vertigo (black)

The Vertigo is a trail in the lower section of the Alpenbikepark Chur. With the steep S-curve at the beginning, a jump series in the upper part and a technically challenging trail in the lower part, advanced downhillers will have lots of fun on this track.

General information

• Rental / Bikeshops

In the immediate vicinity of the valley station is the shop DropIn Bikeshop for rent (pre-booking strongly recommended), purchase and service of downhill, freeride and enduro bikes as well as protectors, clothing and spare parts. There are also attractive packages for rental and day tickets for the Alpenbikepark as well as optional introductory courses.

• Courses

Courses for riding technique or a general introduction in the Alpenbikepark can be booked at the AIS Sportschule or at the DropIn Bikeshop.

• Evening biking

Every Saturday from 8. June to 31. August 2024 the Alpenbikepark is open for evening biking if the weather is good. In order to reconcile the different interests in the area of the Alpenbikepark Chur, the following times have been defined together with the involved stakeholders: Transport times for mountain bikes 

• Track maintenance, safety & liability

The bike trails are maintained by the Alpenbikepark Association. Please observe the rules of conduct and safety instructions in the emergency card (pdf). The use of the tracks is at your own risk. The Bergbahnen Chur Dreibündenstein AG and the Alpenbikepark Association decline any liability.