Safiental-Rheinschlucht

Rheinschlucht (Ruinaulta)

The Rhine Gorge in the Grisons Oberland is one of the most impressive natural spectacles in Switzerland. A single trail leads directly along the banks, allowing you to experience the gorge on a mountain bike. Fittingly, you start the route in Thusis and ride through the Safiental valley into the Rhine Gorge.

Description

The tour starts on the Glaspass. You can get here from Thusis by post bus or under your own steam on the mountain road. After a few meters, the going gets tough: the path down into the Safiental is tricky. Finally, the path zigzags impressively through extremely steep terrain and ends at the reservoir in Safien Platz. Now you have to ride about 2.5 kilometers on the road out of the valley, then keep right at Rüti and follow the singletrail along the Rabiusa to the small reservoir. This section is technical and strenuous, but the only alternative is the mountain road. At the dam wall, change sides of the valley, pass through a small tunnel and then climb a few meters up to the group of houses in the forest. A little further on, a trail begins, which clings spectacularly to the steep mountain flank and repeatedly leads through small tunnels. Later, the trail turns into a road, which you follow until you reach a small pass (Sigl Ault). Now it's time for the fun serpentine descent down to the Versam bridge and then up the road to the village of Versam. Now the second part of the tour through the Rhine gorge begins. Follow the road towards Versam railroad station for a while, but then turn right at a shooting range and head down a very steep singletrail into the Rhine Gorge. Alternatively, you can take the trail along the road to Versam station. After the station, follow a trail along the southern bank to Castrisch. This section leads directly through the Rhine Gorge, one of the most impressive natural wonders in Graubünden. At Castrisch, continue along the riverside path. This section is once again particularly fun and forms the brilliant final section, which ends right on the outskirts of Ilanz.

Tip: Start the tour in Chur, then take the train to Thusis and continue by postbus to the Glaspass. After completing the tour, take the train back from Ilanz through the Rhine Gorge to Chur.

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Details of the tour

41 km

590 m

1740 m

1 day

Thusis

Ilanz