Rhine Gorge - the perfect visit to the Swiss Grand Canyon

7 Highlights in the Rhine Gorge

• Experience one of the most impressive and unique landscapes in the Alps. Due to the size and beauty of the Rhine Gorge, it is also known as the "Grand Canyon of Switzerland".
• The gorge is home to fascinating flora and fauna. With a little luck you will discover many rare bird species and beautiful orchids.
• The breathtaking size of the canyon enchants every visitor. The steep walls on the sides of the valley rise up to 350 meters.
• On warm days you can cool off in one of the three bathing lakes near the gorge: Lake Laax, Lake Cresta and Lake Cauma.
• Many hiking trails wind through the valley, offering you unique views. They often lead you to one of the six well-known viewing platforms.
• The gorge also offers many opportunities for mountain bikers. A total of five trails lead through the region.
• The good rail connections make it very easy to get there by public transport. In addition, an open adventure train runs through the valley, with which you can comfortably discover the natural spectacle.

What to Expect in the Rhine Gorge

The Rhine Gorge is one of the most stunning regions in the Swiss Alps, located just about 20 minutes from Chur. The beautiful flora and fauna amid the towering rock faces captivates every visitor. For 14 km, the Rhine flows through the gorge before winding its way through Europe to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the size of the gorge, it’s often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Switzerland.”

You can explore the Rhine Gorge in your own way. Numerous hiking trails of varying difficulties meander through the valley. If you're into mountain biking, the exciting trails in the area will satisfy you as well. And if you simply want to take it easy while enjoying the gorge, there are scenic trains operated by the Rhaetian Railway. By the way, the world-famous Glacier Express also travels through the Rhine Gorge.

The nature you discover during your visit has something for everyone. From various viewpoints, you'll enjoy unique vistas of the mesmerizing landscape. These include spots like Islabord or the Wackenau platform. You can also expect to see many rare bird and insect species, as well as beautiful orchids. And when it gets warm in summer, you can cool off in one of the mountain lakes.

Swiss Activities Offers in the Rhine Gorge

• Rafting Tour on the Vorderrhein in the Rhine Gorge
• Rafting Tour on the Vorderrhein with BBQ Fun

The best hikes in the Rhine Gorge

The Rhine Gorge offers many exciting hiking trails. Learn about five hikes of varying difficulty here.

Alluvial path from Ilanz

Ilanz - Castrisch - Sagogn - Schluein - Ilanz

This beautiful hike is perfect for all nature lovers. You start in Ilanz and hike from there through floodplain forests and nature reserves along the Vorderrhein. You will pass through the villages of Castrisch, Sagogn and Schluein before returning to Ilanz.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 16.7 km
• Duration: 5:00 h
• Ascent / descent: 278 (↑ hm) / 278 (↓ hm)
• Season: April - October

Circuit Ruinaulta Sut

Trin Digg - Versam/Safien Station - Versam Islabord - Trin Station - Trin Digg

This rather difficult circular trail leads you from Trin Digg down into the Rhine Gorge to the Versam/Safien train station. From there you walk up to the viewing platform Islabord. After you have enjoyed the great view, you hike back to Trin Digg.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 21.4 km
• Duration: 6:50 h
• Ascent / Descent: 917 (↑ hm) / 917 (↓ hm)
• Season: April - October

Tuora from Flims

Flims Waldhaus - Salums - Conn - Lake Cauma - Flims Waldhaus

From Flims Waldhaus you hike through beautiful forests up to the viewing platform "Il Spir". There you can enjoy a unique view of the panorama of the Rhine Gorge. After the turquoise-blue Lake Cauma, a popular bathing resort, the path leads you back to Flims.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 13.3 km
• Duration: 4:00 h
• Ascent / descent: 460 (↑ hm) / 460 (↓ hm)
• Season: April - October

Fascinating trail Valendas

Valendas - Valendas

On this adventure trail you walk along the Rhine past seven stations. These stations inform you about nature, geology and history of the region. You can walk the circular trail in both directions and start at different places.

• Difficulty: easy
• Distance: 4.6 km
• Duration: 1:25 h
• Ascent / descent: 159 (↑ hm) / 159 (↓ hm)
• Season: May - October

Family circular route Castrisch

Ilanz - Castrisch - Ilanz

This leisurely walk is perfect for families. You start the trail from Ilanz. From there you walk to the mountain village Castrisch. The short hike leads you through the village before you return to Ilanz.

• Difficulty: easy
• Distance: 6.2 km
• Duration: 1:45 h
• Ascent / descent: 111 (↑ hm) / 111 (↓ hm)
• Season: April - November

The 3 best viewing platforms

Islabord viewing platform

The Islabord viewing platform is located a little above Versam village. It offers you a great view of the Rhine Gorge. It was created from wood and concrete by engineer Jürg Conzett. You can easily reach it on foot from Versam. There is also a post bus stop right next to the platform.

Wackenau viewing platform

At the Wackenau ruin there is also a great viewing platform. It is located rather at the end of the 14 km long gorge and thus offers a unique view of the mountain panorama. You can reach it via Trin Station or Bonaduz.

Spitg viewing platform

This platform is a bit more difficult to reach, but the hike is worth it. At the vantage point you can admire a unique panorama with the Versamer Tobel, the Rhine Gorge and the Flims mountains. The hike from Versam village or Trin station takes about 1.5 hours on foot.

Getting to the Rhine Gorge

The approximately 14 km long gorge is located between Ilanz and Reichenau in the canton of Graubünden. It’s easily accessible by both car and train. There are several train stations in the gorge, and some roads lead to viewpoints and villages in the region.

Public Transport

The only continuous route through the gorge is the train line. There are a few larger towns nearby with train stations. The two most important ones for visiting the Rhine Gorge are the stations in Ilanz and Reichenau. And of course, Chur, which is just 20 minutes away from the gorge.

In the gorge, there are a total of three train stations: Trin, Versam-Safien, and Valendas-Sagogn. Most hiking trails start from one of the stations. Mountain bikes can also be taken on the train with a special ticket. The ride through the gorge takes about 30 minutes in total, offering you stunning views of the massive rock faces all along the way.

By car

The valley is partially accessible by car. However, it is recommended to leave the car at the train stations Reichenau or Ilanz and to discover the gorge by train. Parking spaces are available in many places:

Parking spaces railroad access	Parking spaces left gorge side	Parking spaces right gorge side
Reichenau-Tamins train station	Trin Porclis	Bonaduz
Ilanz train station	Flims village	Versam village
Laax village	Valendas village
Sagogn
Schluein

Who is the Rhine Gorge suitable for?

You should definitely add the fascinating Rhine Gorge to your list when you are traveling in the region. The unique natural spectacle with exciting flora and fauna enchants every visitor. Since the gorge is very well connected by rail and roads, it is suitable for everyone. Families can enjoy one of the shorter hiking trails. And even wheelchair users get their money's worth with the open adventure cars of the Rhaetian Railway.