Ride with gondola up from Lenzerheide to the Parpaner Rothorn and navigate to the run through the large rock basin in the direction of Lawinengalerie. Here you are already on your way on the stretch termed, „Bike Attack“, which you will leave behind at Gredigs Fürggli and which leads to the right in the direction of Arosa. This trail through the Schafälpi-Tal is a first-class flow trail in the middle of a wonderfully undeveloped and pristine alpine valley. Finally you reach the Älplisee and later Innerarosa. Here lies the bottom station of Hörnlibahn, which you now use to get up to the summit station. It follows the single trail ride through Urdental, spending a bit of time on an alpine road, then shifting over again to small paths. From Tschiertschen, you reach Praden on the hiking trails above the road, then go through the Steinbachtobel to Passugg. The final segment to Chur leads over the single trail from Passugg to the valley floor from Chur. It is no longer very far to the city centre or to the train station, or likewise if you wish to take the postal bus to the post office back in Lenzerheide.

HOME OF TRAILS

Incidentally: Danny MacAskill and Claudio Caluori enjoyed the trails on the Parpaner Rothorn in the "Home of Trails" video.

Discover the Parpaner Rothorn

This challenging round tour starts at the northern side of the Chur railway station. Through the villages of Felsberg and Domat/Ems you reach the golf course in Domat/Ems. That's where the ascent starts. The mountain road is quite steep and it will take you some power to reach the mountain village of Feldis at 1'500 m. This is the perfect place to recharge your batteries in one of the restaurants.

From Feldis, continue on the level street in direction of Scheid. At point 1498 the next as-cent begins. Follow the paved mountain road up to the Alp di Plaun on 1953 m. At this point you can decide, whether you want to continue on the «Lady Patricia Trail» to Brambrüesch, or branch off and ascent to the Dreibündenstein. To continue on the here suggested route, follow the hiking trail to the ski hut Term Bel, turn right there and after 200 meters the trail branches off to the left side (follow the signal «Lady Patricia»). Before you reach the high route, the ascent continues and in the end you have to push your bike for appr. 10-15 minutes. When you have finally reached the height, a very panoramic and quite technical single track lies before you.

In the middle of the high route, you will find a memorial stone, where 1944 a US bomber has crashed into the mountain. The narrow single track traverses below of the Dreibündenstein. After that part, you come to enjoy the flow on the descent to Spundis. There, the trail branches off to the left and runs fluently at first, later more technical, to the Alp Juchs. From there, the trail continues demanding and challenging, before the last part of the descent will take you with a lot of flow back into the Alpine City of Chur.

The tour starts with the chairlift ride to Naraus. The start of the descent leads for a little way along a gravel road until the actual Runca Trail begins at the Flembach stream. This varied route meanders fluidly to the Runca Höhe and along numerous good, wooden trails to the Waldhaus area of Flims. This is usually where the Runca Trail descent ends, but not in this version. Cycle on small gravel roads down to the idyllic Lake Cauma and then climb up to the Conn viewing platform with its wonderful view of the Rhine Gorge. Both places are ideal as a lunchtime stop-off before starting on the trip to Tamins. From Conn, you ride mainly on single trails to Pintrun, and then ascend a little way to Digg - from where you travel on the signposted mountain bike route to Tamins along a mix of trails and little gravel roads.Tip: Instead of taking the post bus in Tamins back to Flims, extend the tour to Chur. A wonderful singletrail hugs the left bank of the Rhine to the outskirts of Chur.

HOME OF TRAILS

Incidentally: Danny MacAskill and Claudio Caluori took a relaxing break at Lake Cauma in the "Home of Trails" video.

Discover the Lake Cauma

Start at the gondola station in Chur, where rider and bike can enjoy the gondola ride and start fresh at Brambrüesch. After the short uphill to Malixeralp the upper part of the downhill uncovers a hidden trail gem. The lower part then follows the freeride trail «Chur Flow» of the Alpenbikepark Chur. End of the tour at the gondola valley station. If you like, just go for another round....

Start of the tour at the top station of the Chur cableways at Brambrüesch. First follow the signposted route no. 616 (Biketicket 2 RIDE red), but at Spina turn left towards Malix - and refresh yourself first at the syrup fountain! After a stretch on the road follows a steep trail that leads into the Passugger Gorge. Finally, there is another single track taking you back to Chur.

We will start our tour this morning in Parpan, gently beginning our ascent on asphalt roads until we reach Chur’s pass. The first descent starts here. The steep descent, full of roots, will definitely get your adrenaline flowing. The ride downhill is challenging but no match for bikers with good riding technique. The first descent ends in Chur.  

We take a little tour of the town by bike and fill our energy reserves in one of the town’s many restaurants. Now we’re ready for the second part of our tour. From Chur we climb to Fürhörnli. We can either bike the whole way up, or take the postbus as far as Maladers, which saves 400m of elevation. You might want to save your energy for later when the ascent up paved paths turns extremely steep.

The panorama from the top of Fürhörnli is breath-taking. The mountain face falls vertically and we have a fantastic view over the town and the Rhine Valley. As always, the best is saved for last – the trails that take you down 1,300m of elevation into Chur. ther bike the whole way up, or take the postbus as far as Maladers, which saves 400m of elevation. You might want to save your energy for later when the ascent up paved paths turns extremely steep.

You start in Chur (593 m above sea level) and ride along the Rhine on the cycle path to Reichenau, where the Anterior and Rear Rhines meet. On side roads, follow cycle path number 3 to Bonaduz (662 m above sea level). Here you can access the spectacular road through the Ruinaulta. The Rhine Gorge, with its 300-metre-high rock faces and rock formations, is also called the "Swiss Grand Canyon". Take a short break to enjoy one of the most diverse landscapes in the Alps. Over the bridge at the end of the first short descent, you will enter a short climb with magnificent hairpin bends that leads to Versam (909 m above sea level). Right at the entrance to the village, turn off in the direction of Safiental and follow the mountain bike route no. 157 "Calörtsch". Via Arezen you reach the mountain pastures near Calörtsch (1401 m above sea level) on dirt roads through forests and meadows. Here you can enjoy a particularly impressive panoramic view of the Flimserstein. Following the MTB route, a short forest path through the Calörtscher Forest (1580 m above sea level) will take you back to a road that will take you to the idyllic village of Brno (1287 m above sea level). The fast descent from Brno will take you back to cycle route 3, which you will follow in the direction of Valendas (809 m above sea level). Valendas delights not only with countless well-preserved manor houses, but also with the largest wooden fountain in Europe. From here, follow the cycle route to Ilanz (699 m above sea level), the first town on the Rhine. From Ilanz you can take the Rhaetian Railway back to the starting point in Chur.

The round tour can be started from various starting points. This description starts in Chur. (Alternatively also in Lenzerheide and Arosa) The Brambrüesch mountain railway takes you from the capital to the first summit, to Brambrüesch. The start of the Freeride Tour is identical to the signposted Biketicket to RIDE red No. 616 to Churwalden. From Heidbüel you traverse via Alp Stätz to Heidsee. We continue on the eastern flank of Lenzerheide, on the Rothorn side. With an additional loop on the Weisshorn Speed, the fresh The Great White is taken with you before you go to Arosa via the Älplisee Trail. A real single trail highlight for experienced bikers. Once in Arosa, you can comfortably take the Hörnli cable car to the Hörnli. Now it's off on the technically very demanding single trail down to the Schwellisee. The next train, Arosa to the Weishorn, takes you back to 2,653 meters above sea level in no time. A breathtaking single trail leads from the Weisshorn summit to Ochsenalp and on to Tschiertschen. After the village tour, further trail highlights lead to Chur. After six peaks, ten mountain railways and endless single trails downhill, the tour ends again in Chur.

Your journey starts in Chur where you be ride along the Anterior Rhine on the spectacular panoramic road through the Ruinaulta. Via the little-known Alp Brün, the ride continues to Ilanz, the first city on the Rhine.

On the other side of the valley, on the way up to the Lag da Pigniu reservoir, you can expect steep ramps and a great view of the Obersaxen plateau. The “Panix Stausee”, as it is called in German, impresses with its imposing waterfalls, before you head onto gravel roads, forest and meadows from Andiast to Brigels.

Unhurried you ride through typical villages of Surselva all the way to Trun. From here, the journey goes up into the valley with the Rhaetian Railway. From Tschamut you’ll follow the young Rhine towards its source. After a short stretch on the Oberalp pass road, you’ll get to a steep gravel road in high Alpine terrain until you reach the Maighels hut. The hut is the highest point that can be reached by bicycle in the headwaters of the Anterior Rhine. You whiz down the valley to Sedrun, where you’ll be able to fortify yourself with the smallest nut cake in the world. Over the Muota Pigniel you’ll get to the Uaul Cavorgia, which awaits you with its flora and a great panoramic view.

From Disentis you’ll reach Trun by riding over gravel banks and through cool groves along the Anterior Rhine, from where you’ll start climbing up the way to the Obersaxen plateau. The ascent over the Alp Stavonas is long but the panorama more than compensates for it. From the Alp Nova the ride continues on a long descent through the Val Lumnezia. Climb over the small chapel Sogn Carli up to the Mountain Inn Bündner Rigi. The winding descent towards Luven finally brings you to Ilanz.

Through the Flims Grosswald, the route leads past the picturesque Lake Cauma, to the viewing platform Conn, to Lake Cresta and along the Felsbachschlucht (gorge) through the Flimserwald. After a rapid descent towards Sagogn, you’ll cross the Rhine at Valendas station. A short ascent takes you back to the road high above the Ruinualta. At the end, the Rheinschlucht-Strasse awaits you before the comfortable ride back to Chur.

From this 281.70 km you drive 23.70 km with the train.

Stages

Stage 1: Chur – Ilanz

Stage 2: Ilanz – Lag Pigniu – Brigels

Stage 3: Brigels – RhB – Lai Tuma – Disentis

Stage 4: Disentis – Obersaxen

Stage 5: Obersaxen – Alp Nova – Ilanz

Stage 6: Ilanz – Flimserwald – Chur

Your journey starts in Chur (593 m above sea level) and ride the bike path along the Rhine to Reichenau where the Anterior and Posterior Rhine merge. On secondary roads, you’ll ride along the cycle route no. 3 to Bonaduz. Here, you’ll reach a spectacular road, which takes you through the Ruinaulta.  Due to its 300 meter high rock walls and rock formations, the Rheinschlucht (Rhine gorge) is called “Little Swiss Canyon". A fantastic panoramic road also belongs to it. Take a little rest to enjoy one of the most varied landscapes in the Alps. Over the bridge at the end of the first short descent, you’ll reach a short ascent with splendid hairpin bends leading you to Versam (909 m above sea level). Once you get to the village entrance turn in direction of Safiental and follow the MTB route no. 157 "Calörtsch". Via Arezen, you’ll get on natural roads through forests and meadows to the Maiensässen at Calörtsch (1,401m above sea level). You’ll be able to enjoy a particularly impressive panoramic view of the Flimser Stein. Following the MTB route, you’ll reach a short forest path through the Calörtscherwald (1,580m above sea level) and get back onto a road that takes you to the idyllic village of Brün. On the fast descent from Brün onto the main road (910m above sea level), you’ll get back to cycle route 3, which you follow in the direction of Valendas. Valendas delights not only with countless well-preserved manors, but also with the largest wooden fountain in Europe. From here follow the cycle route to Ilanz (699m above sea level), the first city on the Rhine.

Ilanz - Lag Pigniu - Brigels: 31.9 kilometers - 1395 altitude

From Ilanz (699m above sea level) the journey takes you on a paved road with a crisp ascent to Ruschein (1,166m above sea level). The view from Ruschein over Ilanz to Valsertal is the first highlight of the route. In Ruschein, you’ll reach the Graubünden bike route no. 90 and traverse to Siat. Steep ascents alternate with relaxing flat sections. In Siat, some of the fountains are a welcome opportunity to fill up your bottles. The view of the Obersaxen plateau lets you forget your sore legs for a while. Until Darpagaus (1,494m above sea level), the road ascents, before you’ll reach the side valley "Val da Pigniu" on a fast descent.

The ascent towards Pigniu and up to the reservoir Lag da Pigniu (1,447m above sea level) is easy to master. The rock wall with impressive waterfalls at the very back of the lake is so impressive that the detour to the very end of the gravel road is definitely worthwhile. The route only folows the road for a short while before you turn right on the MTB route 90. On the other side of the river, you’ll first get onto a dirt road, and then followed by a short interlude through woods and meadows to Andiast. From Andiast you follow the main road to Waltensburg (1,003m above sea level) for short stretch. The church in Waltensburg has an inspiring interior with fantastic paintings and is certainly worth a stop.

 A gravel road with a panoramic view and an impressive rock tunnel will take you to Brigels (1,290m above sea level).

Brigels - RhB - Lai Tuma - Disentis: 44.1 kilometers - 1238 altitude

Today’s motto is starting comfortably! From Brigels (1,290m above sea level) you’ll ride through typical villages of Surselva to Trun (861m above sea level). Once every hour, the Rhaetian Railway rolls up into the valley. You’ll load your gravel bike into the red RhB and together you’ll get from Disentis to Tschamut (1,645m above sea level). From here, you’ll follow the young Rhine towards its source. At first, the cycle route no. 3 leads you in the direction of the Oberalp pass, in Surpalits you’ll turn onto the MTB route no. 205. A steep gravel road will take you into high Alpine terrain and every time you pedal, the air gets a little thinner. In Siara (2,174m above sea level), you’ll have the opportunity to tackle the last 900 meters and 176 altitude to the source of the Anterior Rhine on foot. A steep and difficult path leads to Lai da Tuma (2,345m above sea level).

If you prefer travelling on two wheels, follow the dirt road to Maighels Hut (2,314m). The hut is the highest point on the tributaries of the Anterior Rhine, which can be reached by bicycle. Taking a break is more than deserved at this point, you’ll first get back on the dirt road, which will be followed by the Oberalp pass road back to Tschamut (1,645m above sea level). In Selva you’ll leave the main road and follow the Graubünden bike route no. 90 to Sedrun (1,406m above sea level). Taking a short detour to the village to strengthen yourself in "La Conditoria" with a piece of the smallest nut cake in the world is definitely worth the trip. Via Surrein, taking the path through the Muota Pigniel, you’ll get to Uaul Cavorgia (1,662m above sea level), which stuns with its flora and a great panoramic view. The route will take you to Disentis (1,130m above sea level) via Mumpé Medel. From a distance, you’ll be able to see the imposing Benedictine monastery, which has made an impact on the town since the 13th century.

Disentis - Obersaxen: 29.2 kilometers - 1260 altitude

From Disentis (1,130m above sea level) you’ll already be able to see Cavardiras towering high above the Surselva. A short descent to the Rhine and a slight incline take you to the village on the other side of the valley. You’ll be on cycle route no. 3. A short, fast descent will take you to Pardomat and riding along the Anterior Rhine you’ll encounter gravel banks and riverside forests from Surrein to Trun (852m above sea level). MTB route no. 90 takes you to the Obersaxen plateau. The area was settled by the Walsers and acts a Swiss German language island in the middle of the Surselva. Above Friggahüs, you’ll reach the highest point of the day (1,481m above sea level) and accompanied by an imposing view into the Surselva, you can take it easy riding down to Meierhof (1,259m above sea level).

Obersaxen - Alp Nova - Ilanz: 38.3 kilometers - 1252 altitude

Many roads lead to Rome and many through Obersaxen. You’lll reach Meierhof (1,259m above sea level) via Miraniga to Wali. Here you’ll get on the MTB route no. 90 which continues via the Alp Stavonas to the Alp Prada (1,971m above sea level). A short descent promises some rest, but shortly after the route will ascent again with a short, steep meadow path to Alp Naul. A natural road will take you to the highest point of the day, the Alp Nova (2,077m above sea level). You’ll be way past the tree line now, and up here, wind and weather have no mercy. The route comfortably leads to Alp Sezner (1,982m above sea level). On the descent to Vignogn, you’ll be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Val Lumnezia - and on hot days you can cool off in the Davos Munts bathing lake.

Via Vella (1,244m asl), the journey continues through the valley to Morissen, where the route’s last ascent awaits you. Via the small chapel Sogn Carli, you’ll get to the Mountain Inn Bündner Rigi. At 1618 altitude, a magical view of the Val Lumnezia and the Rheinschlucht (Rhine gorge) will surprise you. Enjoy the winding descent towards Luven (998m above sea level), before you end the gravel bike day in Ilanz (699m above sea level), the first city on the Rhine.

Ilanz - Flimserwald - Chur: 65.7 kilometers - 1397 altitude

From Ilanz (699m above sea level), you’ll take the MTB route no. 260 "Rheinschluchttour" via Schluein and Sagogn into the Flims Grosswald. The tour takes you over Flims landslide’s scree and forest roads accompanied by views of the UNESCO World Natural Reserve Sardona past the picturesque Lake Cauma (997m above sea level) to the Conn viewing platform. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the Rheinschlucht (Rhine gorge). The Conn restaurant serves local specialties where you can take a minute to spoil yourself. Strengthened; the route takes you back on natural roads on the MTB route no. 245 "Flimserwald Rundtour". An open hedgerow landscape with panoramic views will take you to Trin Digg, from where you’ll Lake Cresta (845m above sea level), you’ll ride through the Flimserwald and along the Felsbachschlucht (gorge) passing steep natural roads back to Flims (1,099m above sea level). Via Murschetg, you’ll return to Sagogn on a rapid descent and cross the Rhine at Valendas’ station (669m above sea level). A short ascent takes you up to the road above Ruinualta, which you already know from the first stage. Finally; enjoy riding on the Rheinschlucht-Strasse before you get onto the route to Bonaduz and Reichenau, where the Anterior Rhine and Posterior Rhine merge. From here, you comfortably ride back to Chur (593m above sea level).