On the Alpine Circle alpine round trip through the Graubünden mountains, you will discover the four most popular sights in Graubünden: the Swiss National Park, the Diavolezza Glacier World, the Rhaetian Railway's Landwasser Viaduct and the Rhine Gorge, also known as the Swiss Grand Canyon. In addition to these four main attractions, there is of course much more to discover along the route. And the best thing about it: The Alpine Circle can be started very easily, without registration or booking. You decide for yourself whether you travel by car, bus, train or e-bike. Tip: With the graubündenPASS, you can enjoy free travel on public transport throughout Graubünden.

Alpine Circle in a nutshell

• Length: approx. 300 kilometres
• Recommended trip duration: 5 - 7 days
• Sights: Swiss National Park, Diavolezza Glacier World, Landwasser Viaduct, Rhine Gorge 
• Regions: Davos Klosters, Engadin Scuol Zernez, St. Moritz, Surselva, Chur

The 4 main attractions

Nature experience: Swiss National Park
In the Swiss National Park, untouched nature awaits you, which you can discover on around 80 kilometres of hiking trails. So be sure to pack your hiking boots. Special highlight: the Val Trupchun. The valley near S-chanf is also called the deer arena of the Alps. In addition to the mighty deer, you can also observe chamois, marmots and - probably the most famous animal in Graubünden - the ibex.

Glacier World: Diavolezza
Whether it's the Cavaglia Glacier Garden or the Morteratsch Glacier: In the Diavolezza Glacier World of the Bernina Glaciers Adventure Area, you can move through a unique ice world. You can enjoy the best view of the Bernina massif from the Diavolezza mountain station. Be sure to bring: mobile phone with a full battery for numerous souvenir photos.

Railway experience: Landwasser Viaduct
Impressive architecture in the middle of the Alps: Near Filisur, the Landwasser Viaduct rises 65 metres into the air. The spectacular structure of the Rhaetian Railway has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. You can marvel at the viaduct from below with the Landwasser Express, do the 4-viaduct hike or simply enjoy a ride on the Rhaetian Railway over the bridge - right in the middle of it, so to speak, instead of just being there.

Gorge experience: Rhine Gorge
The Rhine Gorge is also called the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. The panoramic mountains between Lake Cauma and Conn invite you to discover. The view from the il Spir observation deck is impressive. A nice side effect: On the way there, you can marvel at the famous Lake Cauma and swim in the turquoise blue water. Would you rather be in the middle of it all? Then take a canoe or rafting tour on the Rhine or take a ride through the imposing landscape of the Rhine Gorge in the open observation car of the Rhaetian Railway.

This varied loop tour begins in the middle of the Graubünden capital. But the busy city life is soon left far behind, because the route takes you on a tranquil neighbourhood road into nature. You cross the Fürstenwald, a popular local recreation area with views of the city and the Calanda. The historic Trimmiser Mittelweg then takes you through open pastures to the village of Trimmis. The route follows the "Bündner Rheintal Wine Trail" on several sections. Accordingly, it provides an insight into the local winegrowing culture. This has a long tradition as first mentions go back to the year 765. The Graubünden Rhine valley winegrowing region stretches from Bonaduz to Fläsch and covers around 420 hectares. Thanks to the mild climate and the foehn, the grapes thrive magnificently in the calcareous soils - especially the typical Blauburgunder variety.

Past the imposing, former moated castle of Marschlins, the route follows the Landquart river to the village of the same name. The Landquart has its source above Klosters, flows through the Prättigau valley and finally into the Rhine at Landquart. Here you return on the popular cycling route no. 2, the Rhine route. From Zizers, the path repeatedly follows the young Alpine Rhine. This has its source at the Oberalp pass as the Vorderrhein and at Rheinwald as the Hinterrhein. At Reichenau-Tamins, the two main arms join to form the Rhine. Switzerland’s largest river flows for a total of 1230 kilometres via Lake Constance through Germany, on to Holland, and into the North Sea.

At Haldenstein, you cross to the other river bank. At the level of the town of Chur, the cycle path crosses the Rhine again on the Pardisla bridge which was built especially for cyclists and pedestrians. Shortly afterwards you reach another regional river: the Plessur has its source in the mountainous area between Arosa and Lenzerheide, flows past Arosa through the Schanfigg valley and into the Rhine at Chur. The route follows the river, and over the arched bicycle and pedestrian bridge, built in 2020, you finally dive right into the centre of Chur with its picturesque, car-free old town. Before returning to the station, you can stop at one of the numerous restaurants with sun terraces. The tour comes to a leisurely end in the unique ambience of Switzerland's oldest city.

The Bündner Herrschaft, Graubunden’s fertile garden and winery lies on a mound of slate detritus. Also the home of Heidi, Peter and Alpöhi (Heidi’s grandfather).

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).

From the Lower Engadin village of Lavin, your muscle power is needed once again. The route to the stage finish takes you along a fine gravel path via Guarda to Scuol. Below you, the bright turquoise Inn River flows. The landscape in the Lower Engadin presents a completely different picture. The sunburnt stables of the Surselva have given way to houses adorned with colorful paintings. The art of Sgraffito, the traditional stucco technique of the region, is now mastered by only a few in the valley. And in Scuol, not only does mountain spring water flow from the fountains, but even mineral water. Simply gschpunna.

Total distance and elevation gain (excluding public transport sections): 66 km, 1,400 meters of ascent, 1,900 meters of descent.