Tamina Gorge - everything you need to know for your visit

6 Highlights in the Tamina Gorge

• In the Tamina Gorge, 36.5°C warm water gushes from the spring, which travels for over 10 years until it comes to the surface in the gorge.
• Between seven and ten million liters of thermal water gush from the spring every day.
• Many hiking trails with different levels of difficulty lead through spectacular nature into the depths of the gorge.
• The Tamina Gorge is a car-free zone, you can only get there on foot or by post bus.
• The Old Bath Pfäfers is the oldest baroque bath and today an exciting museum, cozy restaurant and cultural venue.
• The event "Light Ragaz" is a special light spectacle which tells a heartwarming story about happiness with interaction and enthusiasm.

What awaits you in the Tamina Gorge

Seven to ten million liters of thermal water gush out of the Tamina Gorge every day. Calculated on the minute, that makes about 8000 liters. An impressive number, and yet the origin of this water is still not completely clear. It is assumed that the water travels for more than ten years before it comes to light again in the Tamina Gorge. Once it gushes out of the spring, it has a temperature of 36.5°C.

In Tamina Gorge you can visit this spring and put your hand into the warm thermal water. There is also the Old Bath Pfäfers, which is the oldest preserved baroque bath in Switzerland. Today it's an exciting museum, a cultural venue and a great restaurant. At the museum, you'll get a glimpse into the history of bathing. To immerse yourself even more in the subject, you have the opportunity to take part in guided tours. You will learn about the centuries-old bathing culture and the origin of the spring.

The gorge also regularly hosts interesting events. A particularly fascinating event is the "Light Ragaz". During a heartwarming light spectacle in the middle of the Tamina Gorge, the story about happiness is told.

Swiss Activities Tip:

If you want to visit the Tamina Gorge and also enjoy the healing thermal water in the spa, the Wine Tour, Spa and Tamina Gorge is just right for you. In the morning you visit the gorge, at noon you can experience the wine craft of the region up close and in the evening you relax in the fantastic Tamina Therme.

Hikes to the Tamina Gorge

The Tamina Gorge and its surroundings are a popular destination among hiking enthusiasts. There are relaxed and more demanding tours here. They all lead you into the heart of the gorge directly to the source.

Valens - Tamina Gorge:

The hike starts in the dreamy village of Valens and leads you directly into the gorge. During the descent you walk through quiet forests and are accompanied by the murmur of the Tamina. Once at the bottom, you can put your hand in the warm thermal water and visit the Old Baths of Pfäfers. The way back is the same as the way there.

• Difficulty: easy
• Distance: 3.5 km
• Duration: 01:30 h
• Ascent / Descent: 307 hm

Bettlerweg on the Pizol - Tamina Gorge:

The hike starts in Pardiel on the famous Bettlerweg. The path leads you through a beautiful mountain world over the Zanuz Tobel to the Alp Tristeli. During the tour you will be accompanied by an impressive view over the Tamina valley. The destination of the route is the Tamina gorge. Here you can put your hand into the warm spring and visit the old Pfäfers bath.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 8.7 km
• Duration: 03:00 h
• Ascent: 189 hm
• Descent: 1112 hm

Taminaschlucht round tour:

This hiking route leads you from Bad Ragaz to the Tamina Gorge and back. You will reach the old bath Pfäfers after about one hour. From the entrance to the spring grotto you walk about 450 meters to the grotto, where you can admire the warm spring water. Afterwards you continue up to Pfäfers. The path leads you over a great natural bridge and through fantastic landscapes. From here it goes back to Bad Ragaz.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 14 km
• Duration: 04:20 h
• Ascent / Descent: 493 hm

Route of wonder Tamina Gorge:

The hike starts at the train station in Bad Ragaz and leads you first through the fantastic spa park of the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. A special feature in this park are the spectacular redwood trees. The tour continues along the Tamina river. After a while you will enter the rock world, where you will reach the spring grotto. The same path leads you back. Alternatively, you can take the gorge bus and return to Bad Ragaz.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 11 km
• Duration: 03:00 h
• Ascent: 190 hm
• Descent: 189 hm

Warm water in gloomy gorge:

The hike starts at the former Pfäfers monastery and leads you first through the village of Pfäfers. After you have crossed the village, it goes into the steep terrain. Surefootedness is required here. Once you have overcome the steep terrain, you come to the road to the Old Bath and are carried out below gigantic rock overhangs. This path will lead you to the spring.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 6.9 km
• Duration: 02:00 h
• Ascent: 70 hm
• Descent: 372 hm

Getting to the Tamina Gorge

The drive to the Old Baths of Pfäfers in the Tamina Gorge is prohibited for cars, scooters, and bicycles. You have the option to choose one of the hiking trails to reach your destination on foot. Alternatively, you can use the PostBus or the Rösslipost.

If you are driving to Bad Ragaz, there are various parking options available. There is the Allmend parking lot near the train station, the Zentrum parking garage, and the Tamina Therme/Casino and Park&Rail.

Opening Hours of the Tamina Gorge

The Tamina Gorge and the Old Baths of Pfäfers can only be visited in the summer from mid-April to mid-October. The season lasts from May to October. During this time, the following opening hours apply:

| Date | Time | |:---:|:---:| | May to August | 10:00 - 17:15 | | September - October | 10:00 - 16:15 |

Who is the Tamina Gorge Suitable For?

The Tamina Gorge is a special experience for all nature and culture lovers and should be high on the bucket list.

Visitors with mobility restrictions must cross a gravel area from the parking lot to the entrance of the Tamina Gorge. This is a challenging part, however, the gorge itself is easily accessible by wheelchair. The Old Baths of Pfäfers is a historic building with many stairs, so unfortunately, it is not possible for visitors with mobility restrictions to access the upper floors. The restaurant, kiosk, chapel, and garden terrace are easily accessible by wheelchair.