This stage focuses on the fascination of the Flims rock slide. Gain an impression of its dimension from the new vantage platform at Conn. Gold was mined at Calanda, between Tamins and Felsberg, in the 19th century.

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• Further Information in German

From Bad Ragaz, the pass route, which was already used by the Romans, leads steadily uphill to the spa town of Valens. There you drive rather flat over the almost 100 meter high bridge further down to Vasön and the Mapragg reservoir. Before the dam, turn right and drive along the lakeshore before continuing on the main road at the end of the lake.

Through a wild valley basin with almost vertical mountain flanks rising on both sides, we continue to Vättis. The final ascent to the pass now runs away from traffic in an untouched, grandiose landscape. Shortly after the Eggwald mountain restaurant, you leave the canton of St.Gallen and you are now on Graubünden soil before you reach the top of the pass.

At the transition from the Tamina Valley to the Rhine Valley, the great differences on both sides of the watershed are astonishing. The descent to Tamins is a real treat with a view of the confluence of the Anterior and Rear Rhine.

Near the historic part of Chur, the aerial tramway takes off in the direction of Brambrüesch. The holiday spirit is already in the air here: the short ride along the ridge offers a marvellous view of Switzerland’s oldest town.

Once arrived on the hilly plateau, you can set foot on the scenic Alps and marvel at the panorama with mountains around Arosa, Schanfigg and Lenzerheide.

Through the forest the trail continues until the glade at Spundis, where the panorama opens up to the other side. At the horizon the impressive Tödi can be seen, during the further ascent the Calanda and Ringelspitz dominate the scenery. And soon comes the next targe: the chairlift station at Hühnerköpfe. Below of the chairlift the trail continues in direction of the highest point of the tour. At the Dreibündenstein with its 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).

You can start out on the snowshoe hike in Brambrüesch or Pradaschier. Either way: those who would like to can end the hike with a downhill run experience. Switzerland’s longest luge track promises a big adrenalin boost. From Brambrüesch, you can ride on a rental sled down to the Känzeli mid station.

The local recreation area of Brambrüesch is reached by modern gondola lift directly from Chur, capital of the Canton of Graubünden. In summer this high alpine plateau is a favourite excursion destination for hiking and mountain biking while the cold winter months are given over to winter sports. The first leg of the ascent takes you through picturesque alpine landscapes, opening up wonderful mountain panoramas to the left comprising the mountains that encircle Arosa, the Schanfigg and the Lenzerheide.At the Spundissee [Lake Spundis] the view then opens up on the other side. The crowning glory on the horizon is the Tödi and as you ascend further still, the scenery is dominated on the opposite side by the Calanda Massif and the Ringelspitz. The Dreibündenstein at 2160 m, a stone monument to the freedom fighters of Graubünden, marks the common border point of the former Three Leagues of Raetia.The descent is through an unusually rich alpine flora, idyllic forested landscapes, alpine hamlets and the mountain lake of Leg Palus to the pretty mountain village of Feldis Throughout this leg the panorama is dominated by the Heinzenberg and Piz Beverin summits as well as the mountains between the Safien valley and the Surselva.

From the railway station at Rhäzüns we soon reach the water's edge, our nostrils filling with the fresh air from the wetlands. The Rhäzünser Rheinauen are among the most best preserved wetland areas in Switzerland and are considered of national importance. We continue along the single trail as it rises and falls until we reach the flatter section along the Rhine dam after Rothenbrunnen. Along the Polenweg to Reichenau the sparse forest lets us glimpse wonderful views of these unique Rheinauen wetlands. Along this section of the route the Hinterrhein meanders from one side of the valley to the other. In Reichenau, the confluence of the Hinterrhein and Vorderrhein, we once again switch to the other side of the river and roll on towards Bonaduz. After a short, steep ascent up to the high plateau of Rhäzüns and Bonaduz the route continues past Sogn Gieri (St. Georg), which is well worth a stop. The Romanesque church, more than 1,000 years old, is famous beyond Switzerland's borders for its astonishing and beautifully preserved murals. After the rewarding visit of Sogn Gieri we happily cycle back to Rhäzüns.

Graubünden’s 150 km route between Müstair and Mustér (Disentis) presents the stunning valley landscapes of the Münstertal and dreamy Susaunatal, deep Schanfigg and varied Cadi– together with the four challenging passes, Costainer, Scaletta, Strela and Chrüzlipass.

 Physical efforts are however rewarded by the sight of picturesque Graubünden villages nestled between beautiful valley landscapes. Each valley portrays an independent community concerning history, culture, religion and laws. In fact, Graubünden reflects a concentrated picture of European variety – where the Jakobsweg Graubünden leads from east to west through the impressive region.

 Müstair with signs of Middle Ages lifestyle – and preceding Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town, Tschiertschen’s cathedral (Jakobskirche), displaying a mural from the hand of the Waltensburg master. And before Disentis, numerous traces remind one of the ancient pilgrims’ paths. From Amsteg the way then leads through the Urnerland to the National Route 4 ViaJacobi.

The Surselva is more than a mere mountain valley. The Surselva - meaning «above the forest» – is a world apart, with its own language (Sursilvan), its own history shaped by the Disentis Monastery and the mountain passes, its own breed of men and a natural character shaped by one particular element, one which is continually gaining in value: water. It’s for a good reason that the official source of the Rhine rises at Tomasee near the Oberalppass. The water, collected in dozens of reservoirs is an energy provider. It has also eaten its way through the world’s largest mapped rockslide at Flims. It has created the imposing Ruinaulta Gorge, which can hardly be beaten for ruggedness – particularly when seen from the vantage platform at Conn.

The hike through the Surselva leads through an intact landscape but also arouses culturally historic curiosity, whether with the paintings in the Waltensburg Protestant Church or in the light of the mystifying menhir at Falera.The finale of four very varied hiking days is a tour around the old town quarter of Chur, Switzerland’s oldest town.

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Further Information in German

Stages:

85.1 Andermatt–Sedrun
85.2 Sedrun–Sumvitg
85.3 Sumvitg–Breil/Brigels
85.4 Breil/Brigels–Laax
85.5 Laax–Chur

Surselva - «above the forest» - Graubunden’s largest Romansch-speaking region. The wild gorge of the Vorderrhein is awe-inspiring - Switzerland’s Grand Canyon. Chur, the oldest town north of the Alps boasts the highest density of restaurants.