There is a reason why the Rhine gorge between Reichenau and Ilanz is known as the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’. It is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Graubünden and is unique in the Alpine region. In the wild gorges, you can experience pure adrenalin while river rafting or take a hike along the craggy rock formations. An easily accessible hiking trail and several biking trails along the Rhine also present excellent opportunities to have a barbecue, create stone mounds or dip your feet in the water. If you would like a little more comfort, you can also explore the Rhine gorge by train or PostBus.
Train passengers, hikers and river rafters make their way through the impressive Rhine Gorge 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.
The Rhine Gorge Adventure Train runs from 22 April to 22 October, every Saturday and Sunday.
The King's Loop of the Alpine Circle passes at the beginning the Rhine Gorge in Surselva. On the route from Bonaduz to Ilanz, you can enjoy views over the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. It continues across the Ticino into the Misox and San Bernardino.
One trail – three venues. On our Woods & Water culinary trail, you will get to know both the culinary attractions and natural attractions of our region. You start off in Flims Waldhaus, where you can savour your first course in the Bistro Kaufmannfrauen. Then you make your way past Lake Cauma and along the Rhine gorge to Conn, where you can tuck into your main course. After a short detour to the Il Spir viewing platform, you will stop for dessert at the restaurant on Lake Cresta before returning to Flims via the impressive Felsbach gorge.
River rafting in the Rhine gorge: a thrilling experience. Explore the impressive, untamed Ruinaulta by rubber raft from Ilanz to Reichenau. This is one of the most exciting routes in Europe for canoeing, kayaking and river rafting. From the water, you can enjoy the steep cliffs and craggy rocks, while the rapids and spray ensure a fun, refreshing experience. You can start off on a whole-day or half-day trip in the company of experienced guides with various embarking and disembarking points. Bookings can be made via the Flims, Laax and Falera guest information centres on +41 (0)81 920 92 00.
For detailed information and dates of the tours, please check with the respective tour operator:
Kanuschule Versam | Swissraft |
Swiss River Adventures | WasserchRaft |
| Joy of Whitewater Tel. +41 79 391 63 61 |
The approximately 1.5-hour hike from Valendas to Versam in the heart of the formidable Rhine gorge is an amazing experience. The trail mostly follows the bends of the Rhine, traversing small sections of forest and taking you past expansive meadows. We recommend using the practical Ruinaulta ticket for the return trip. This allows you to use public transport in and around the Rhine gorge for an entire day.
The region around the Rhine gorge offers a wealth of adventures for biking enthusiasts. Whether you’re a cross-country or enduro specialist, or looking to take a pleasant biking trip with your family, you will find the perfect option for you. With various elevation profiles, difficulty levels and ground conditions to choose from, there is really something for everyone. Those who prefer a somewhat gentler experience can explore the distinctive region on a TREK electric bike. We have installed charging stations at various locations around the region, so you can charge up your battery whenever you like at no cost.
With the RheinWelten e-bike route, you can discover cultural, scenic and culinary diversity along the Rhine. On its way from the headwaters of Graubünden to Basel, the Rhine connects 15 worlds of experience and enjoyment to form an attractive overall offer.
You can find a number of viewing platforms around the gorge, presenting unique views of the natural phenomenon.
The Rhine Gorge is not only a fascinating place for excursions, but also home to numerous animal and plant species, some of which are particularly endangered. For the protection of wildlife and plants, we kindly ask you to observe the following rules in the area of the Rhine Gorge:
The detailed suspension bridge at Trin station which was completed in 2010 is the third bridge in our region to connect the left and right banks of the Rhine. With a length of 105 metres and a passage width of 1.8 metres, the Punt Ruinaulta is one of the longest suspension bridges in Graubünden. A riverside path was developed here alongside the Rhine, allowing hikers to better explore the exceptional Rhine gorge.
