Swiss Grand Canyon

Ruinaulta is a canyon created by the Anterior Rhine between Ilanz/Glion and Reichenau in the debris of the Flims Rockslide just upstream of its confluence with the Posterior Rhine at Reichenau in the Grisons, eastern Switzerland. It is sometimes known as the Rhine Gorge, or sometimes rather ironically called Swiss Grand Canyon.

Over 10,000 years ago, some 100,000 million cubic metres of bedrock plunged into the river. A landslide at Flims buried the Anterior Rhine under several metres of rock debris. A 25-kilometre long lake was created in front of this natural barrier.

Today, the impressive natural landscape is also the home of various, rare animals (little ringed plover) and plants such as orchids (lady’s slipper). The gorge also has well-kept hiking trails. In addition, there are various observations points offering fantastic views of the gorge. Train passengers, hikers and river rafters make their way through the impressive Rhine Gorge – now also with the Rhine Gorge Adventure Train. In the open observation car of the Rhaetian Railway you get spectacular views of the gorge along the Rhine with its up to 350 meters high, white steep rock formations.

General Information

Hike

In and around the Rhine George, wonderful hiking trails are waiting to be discovered.

Pay attention to the ban on entering the marked gravel banks from April 1st to July 15th. The two highly endangered bird species use the gravel banks to lay their eggs, incubate and feed the young.

 It is forbidden to enter the gravel banks marked with boards from April 1st to July 15th to protect the ground-breeding bird species little ringed plover and common sandpiper. Camping is only allowed on official campsites. 

Explore the Rhine Gorge on your own. A dense network of hiking trails and various hiking tours lead to the highlights – the forest lakes and various viewpoints.

HIKING ROUTES

• Trans Ruinaulta / 656

From Ilanz to Reichenau you accompany the Vorderrhein to many vantage points. We recommend dividing the long hike into stages or using the Rhaetian Railway or the Rhine Gorge Bus for parts of it.

Length: 27.1 km
Time: 9 hours

• Ruinaulta Sut / 656.1

The demanding hike starts in Trin Digg and leads via Ransun down into the Rhine Gorge to Versam / Safien train station. Return to Trin Digg via Versam Islabord to Trin Station.

Length: 22.7 km
Time: 8 hours
Excursion destinations: Spitg, Zault, Punt Ruinaulta

• Auenweg 656.2

A hike through secluded floodplain forests and nature reserves along the Vorderrhein. The starting point is Ilanz, the first city on the Rhine. Via Castrisch and Valendas / Sagogn train station you can reach the pretty Grisons villages Sagogn and Schluein.

Length: 17.1 km
Time: 5 hours

• Tuora / 656.3

On this beautiful hike from Flims Waldhaus you are on the way in Ual Grond, the large forest on the landslide masses of the Flims rockslide. The highlights are the Il Spir viewing platform above the Rhine Gorge in Conn and Lake Cauma.

Length: 13.3 km
Time: 4 hours
Excursions: Lake Cauma, Il Spir

• Wackenau / 656.4

Circular route from Reichenau along the Vorderrhein to the Trin station. Here we cross the Rhine over the 100-meter-long suspension bridge Punt Ruinalta. After a short, steep ascent, it goes through the Bonaduzerwald back to Reichenau.

Length: 12.1 km
Time: 4 hours

• Altaun / 656.5

The green hills around the village of Valendas are a feast for the eyes. The hiking route leads down to the Vorderrhein and via the hamlet of Carrera back to Valendas. Shortcut option through the Carreratobel. The Rhine Gorge fascinating path runs along the Altaun hiking route. The Valendas fountain mermaid tells about nature, landscape and culture at interactive stations. There is the Alix puzzle trail for children.

Length: 8.6 km

Time: 3 hours

Excursion destination: Alix, fascinatingSpace, fascinatingWeg Alix

• Ual da Mulin / 656.6

The route leads around the small gorge of the Ual da Mulin stream. From Laax Post you hike via Salums down to the Vorderrhein, to the Valendas-Sagogn station. The way back leads past the remains of former mills and the Crap Signina platform with a view of Val Mulin. The convertible bus runs between Laax and Valendas-Sagogn.

Length: 7.7 km
Time: 2:45 hours

• Bot Tschavier / 656.7

A leisurely stroll from Bonaduz around the Bot Tschavier hill.

Length: 7.1 km
Time: 2 hours
Destination: Wackenau

• Bat / 656.8

This walk from Ilanz to Castrisch is suitable for families. Castrisch is known for the historic village center. Until 2007, the church housed the largest colony of the Great Horseshoe Bats in Switzerland. Today, however, the bats live in Sagogn’s church.

Length: 6.8 km
Time: 1:45 hours

• Plangga / 656.9

A short but crisp hike from Versam / Safien train station or from the Versam Islabord car park. The fascinating steep walls of the Rhine Gorge and the Versamer Tobel can be viewed up close.

Length: 6.2 km
Time: 2:30 hours
Excursions: Islabord

• Senda Ruinaulta / 659

Senda Ruinaulta is the name of the shorter version of the Tuora circular hiking trail, this time starting in Laax Staderas. This route also reaches the spectacular viewing platform high above the Rhine Gorge in Conn, the turquoise Caumasee and the Tuleritgsee.

Length: 8.4 km
Time: 3:00 hours

• Turnerweg / 659.10

The leisurely round trip begins in Bonaduz and leads on a hiking trail first to the Hinterrhein, which you walk along to the confluence with the Vorderrhein. The route leads back to the village of Bonaduz via a dirt road.

Length: 6.3 km

Time: 1¾ hours

Biking

Mountain bikes or e-bikes are perfect for exploring the landscapes around the Rhine Gorge. With a mountain bike you have a choice: five circular routes from 8 to 85 kilometers in length are waiting to be ridden.

• Bonaduz Forest / 256

The route starts at the Kohlplatz car park outside Bonaduz, leads through the natural forest to the Versamer Tobel and back to Bonaduz.

Length: 13 km
Elevation gain: 502

• Calörtsch / 257

The tour begins at the Islabord car park and viewpoint (view of the Rhine Gorge) below Versam Dorf. It goes uphill to Versam and through forest and across meadows to Calörtsch and on to Maiensäss Imschlacht. Passing the idyllic village of Brün, you come back to the starting point.

Length: 23.7 km
Elevation gain: 1,025

• Isla Sut / 258

From Ilanz, the easy circular route leads on a flat forest road to Castrisch and on to the Isla Sut rest area directly on the Vorderrhein (nature reserve).

Length: 7.8 km
Elevation gain: 106

• Cuolm Sura / 259

A varied and physically demanding tour. From Ilanz, the route follows the young Rhine via Schluein and Sagogn to the Valendas / Sagogn train station. Via Valendas and Dutjen it rises towards Riein. At the highest point, Cuolm Sura, you can enjoy the unique view of the Val Lumnezia and the entire Bündner Oberland. The descent back to Ilanz is rapid.

Length: 31 km
Elevation gain: 1,100

• Rhine Gorge Tour / 260

This demanding route around the entire Rhine Gorge can also be easily divided into daily stages. Stops at the viewing platform in Flims Conn or at the bathing lakes Caumasee and Crestasee become a cozy experience.

Length: 84.9 km
Elevation gain: 2,800

Kayak and rafting

The Rhine Gorge is one of the most beautiful paddling areas in Switzerland. The light to moderately difficult white water in an intact natural landscape and the fascinating gorge walls formed by the Flims rockslide create a unique natural experience.

Experience the Rhine Gorge from a unique perspective with your family, a group of friends or work colleagues – from the water. Rafting is the group experience for 5-80 people. Together you will master rapids with your rafting boat and enjoy the untouched nature of the Rhine Gorge in calmer water. Optionally with picnic or BBQ. Rafting on the Vorderrhein is possible from May 1st to October 31st.

Alone with a double paddle in a kayak or with several people in a canoe, often called a canoe, on the Rhine. On the one hand, this is pure action, where the water flows more calmly, the secrets of fauna and flora can be observed from the boat. Sometimes you can see chamois or a little ringed plover.