The mountain tour to Vättis' local mountain is challenging and only recommended for experienced mountaineers. The very steeply ascending mountain path leads from Vättis through dense fir forest over rock steps to the Gonschrolaboden. Between imposing rock faces you reach the Tüfelschilchli. In an airy, easy ridge walk you reach the summit after 1862 meters of altitude with a fantastic panoramic view. Calanda is home to a large ibex colony, almost certainly, you can observe the proud Graubünden heraldic animals with their majestic antlers on every tour.

Vättis – Gonscherolaboden – Haldensteiner Schaftäli – Tüfelschilchli – Haldensteiner Calanda – Tüfelschilchli – Haldensteiner Schaftäli –Gonscherolaboden - Vättis

Descent variants: Via Calanda SAC hut and to the Vazer Alp (time 3h)

Untervaz has a public transport connection with Chur every half hour and can be easily reached by car. The hike starts in the middle of the village (stop Untervaz Dorf) and leads via Vordergasse to the turn-off to the various Alps. We follow the signpost to the left in the direction of Fallboden and Hinteralp. At the Fallboden, turn left again through the forest to the Bärenhag. On the way we pass two short tunnels carved into the rock.

The alpine road from Bärenhag to the former Walser settlement of Batänja is a bit steep, but easy to walk. On Batänja (belonging to the municipality of Haldenstein) it is worth taking a break and taking in the view of the opposite mountains of the Rhine Valley. Unfortunately, there is no place to stop for refreshments.

The path now winds its way through the small settlement and on through forest and across meadows to the highest point of the hike on the Gürgütschboden. Now it goes downhill on the alpine path. Again and again there are wonderful views of the valley and the rock formations of the Rätikon. The last section from Fallboden back to the village is identical to the ascent route. Right next to the village square you will find the Linde restaurant, where you can wait comfortably for the next post bus.

At the Cholhüttenau sports field, the path initially leads through dense beech forest via the Schröter huts to the hunting lodge on Guaggis. Over partly open alpine meadows and sparse fir forest, we reach Alp Salaz on a slight incline. Alp Salaz is a fertile high terrace above the deeply incised Tamina Valley. There is an almost vertigo-inducing view down to the village of Vättis. Less frightening is the view to the south into the Rhine Valley and Prättigau. On the steep mountain flanks of the Calanda massif, Switzerland's first wolf pack has been at home again since the extinction of the wolf in the 19th century.

The varied day hike leads via St. Margrethenberg through the Chimmi forest to Marola and then up to the Zweierspitz. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Tamina Valley, from the Kunkels to the Tamina Bridge. On Salaz you will not only find a modern alpine hut, but also a magnificent alpine flora.

Note(s)
Old Bad Pfäfers and Tamina Gorge
Walk along the paths of the beneficial thermal waters. The Tamina Gorge is a real natural phenomenon in itself and gives us an impressive idea of the immense power of water. In the middle of it all, the oldest baroque spa building in Switzerland, the Old Bad Pfäfers with its spa museum, Paracelsus memorial and restaurant, is a reminder of the Wilhelminian era. Restaurant Bad Pfäfers, Tel. +41 (0)81 302 71 61
Accessible on foot or with the gorge bus from the train station or entrance Postplatz Bad Ragaz . General driving ban, also for bicycles.

Tamina-Therme - relax in the hot springs
Enjoy the relaxing bathing fun in the public indoor and outdoor thermal baths with a wonderful whirlpool, lazy river, waterfall, bubble loungers, bubble seats, bubble grotto and various massage jets. Tamina-Therme, Bad Ragaz, Tel. +41 (0)81 303 27 40.

This round tour starts at the Chur train station. Follow the official cycling route no. 2 to Haldenstein - Untervaz. At the sports centre Fünf Dörfer in Untervaz branch off to the right, cross the Rhine river and cycle into the village of Untervaz. The ruins of the two castles Neuenburg and Rappenstein in Untervaz can be visited.

In the upper part of Untervaz go left in direction of the Vazer Alp. Follow this partly very steep path until you reach Zalt at 930 m. Here, take the left road and enjoy the panoramic and smooth ride through the forests of the Herrentobel. On the opposite site you can see the impressive Montalin mountain and the lower situated Fürhörnli, which is the highest point of Chur.

On a forest road you continue to Oldiswald. At Bild (point 805) leave the road and continue straight ahead, pass by the ruin of Lichtenstein and descent into the village of Haldenstein with the remarkable caste of Haldenstein.

This challenging mountain bike tour starts in the heart of Chur city. The Calanda mountain is situated on the sunny side of the Rhine valley, therefore the tour is possible already in springtime (in summertime early start recommend). At first, follow the national cycling route no. 2 (Rhine route) northwards until you reach the village of Haldenstein. Cross the Rhine river and drive into the village, in direction of the castle. In the village centre, the mountain road branches off to the right side. Now get ready for a long ascent of total 1'500 meters in height. On the way up you pass by several alps as Arella, Funtanolja, Neusäss, Altsäss until you finally reach the Calanda hut.

The hut is feasted during the summer months, so you can have a drink and a meal there. If you really want a challenge, then you can climb up (by foot) to the peak of the Haldensteiner Calanda (730 meters in height and appr. 1 ½ hours from the hut). To have enough time and being able to enjoy the scenery, an overnight in the Calanda hut is absolutely recommended then.

For the descent, take the singletrail right from the hut. Later, you will follow the ascent road for a short track, before a narrow and technical trail branches off to the left at Alp Neusäss, that leads to the Vazer Alp. After a descent on the alp road, at point 1515 another trail branches off to the right side and will take you to the beautiful settlement of Batänja. From there follow the forest road until you pass by the ruin of Lichtenstein. Shortly later for the last piece of the descent, another trail on the left side will take you back down to the village of Haldenstein.

The ascent route is signposted as "Dave Kilshaw's Calanda Challenge", a free, interactive outdoor sports adventure. You'll find 6 signposts along the way, which contain a Scan-Point. If you master the more than 20 km, and 1,500 vertical meters along the well-kept forest road up to the Calanda hut, and can scan the respective points with the swissrent-App you can earn 20 «mountainmiles» per scan, which can be redeemed for rental with swissrent. The first Scan-Point signpost is right in the middle of the city center (Alexanderplatz, in front of the City Shop Chur).

• Swissrent App