Panixerpass
Description
From Schwanden, follow the forest roads and hiking trails parallel to the main road up the Sernftal valley to Elm. The ascent up the valley continues unabated until the route to the Panixer Pass branches off to the left shortly before the army training area. Now the bike has to be pushed and carried for almost 1000 arduous meters in altitude. The landscape, on the other hand, is impressive: to the south, the steep, rocky flanks of the Vorab rise into the sky and lend the scenery a high alpine touch. Finally, however, the Panixer Pass with its refuge is reached, where the descent on the Grisons side of the pass begins. This is technical and tricky at first, but then becomes smoother and smoother and finally leads from Alp Ranasca on a small road with singletrail sections to Pigniu. From here, follow the signposted mountain bike route (Graubünden Bike - 090) to Siat, which includes a 400-metre ascent. The reason for this effort is the singletrail descent from Siat to Rueun, a fun end to the route over the Panixer Pass. From Rueun, head along the right bank of the Rhine to Ilanz and from there take the train to Chur or the Postbus to Flims.
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Details of the tour
52 km
2290 m
2115 m
518 above sea level
2403 above sea level
1 day
Schwanden GL
Ilanz
1488
not suitable
More information
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User comments (13)
About the author: Thomas Giger
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.
We rode this route from Illanz to Elm in early September. We’re experienced S2 riders. From the pass down to Elm, the trail is extremely littered with scree and head-sized rocks; we had to push our bikes a lot and walk down sections. I cannot recommend this route from Illanz to Elm, and I do not share the opinion of some previous reviewers that the trail is easily rideable. In addition, the area runs directly through a livestock protection zone, and the dogs follow you every step of the way along the entire route. On the way up to the pass, there have been several landslides; the ascent with the bike on your shoulder is very steep, exposed, and offers little traction.
What an amazing bike tour! We also did it yesterday, starting from Rueun. The descent is absolutely fantastic and challenging, but 99.8% rideable. Another little highlight was the small hut carved into the rock near the somewhat steep trail, where they serve cold drinks. I think this ride is simply sensational!
I did this tour on July 12, 2026. Be sure to start this route from Rueun—that way, you can ride your bike up an alpine road to an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level.
From Rueun to the Panixer Pass, about 98 percent of the route is rideable on an e-bike. The first key section is in the Muladera area. There, the trail runs along a very exposed ledge that requires full concentration, as a fall would have serious consequences. Until early July, there are also livestock guard dogs in this area, which should definitely be taken into account when planning the tour. The second key section awaits from Alp Mer onward in the Carauns area during the final 200 meters of elevation gain. There, short rideable sections alternate with sections where you’ll need to push and carry your bike. Especially at the very top, it’s dusty, rocky, and quite arduous. However, once you’ve made it through this section, the climb is practically over. From there, the route continues at a leisurely pace and is nearly flat all the way to the Panixer Pass.
The subsequent descent is nothing short of epic: about 1,200 meters of elevation loss on a fantastic singletrack. The trail is rideable about 98 percent of the way; you’ll only need to push your bike on a few short, very rocky sections. However, the entire descent is technically very demanding and requires full concentration at all times, as well as precise line choice.
Those who enjoy this challenge will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful single trails in the region—1,200 meters of fine trail riding elevation loss, which is technically demanding and thrilling from the first to the last meter.
We rode the tour from Illanz to Elm today.
Beautiful tour and the downhill is technically demanding but almost completely rideable. For me, it's the most beautiful tour in the area!
I rode the tour on October 7, 23. No need to say anything more about the direction of the tour, but a few ideas/comments:
If you only ride as far as Elm by bike, make sure you check beforehand whether the bus takes bikes or is equipped to transport bikes.
From Engi, there is a beautiful bike path on the right-hand side of the valley with singletracks to Schwanden.
From the Panixer Pass, carry or push your bike up to the Rotstock/Crap Tgietschen. The view is worthwhile, the descent is fun except for a small rock step between 2440 and 2460.
Be sure to ride the other way around, i.e. from the Graubünden side, e.g. from Andiast! The ascent is tough but absolutely worth it: a wonderful downhill trail that demands your full concentration but also provides plenty of adrenaline!
Like everyone else, we rode the tour from the Graubünden side. However, the ascent took all my energy and is steep and hard. You could add a few more points to your fitness level!
I really enjoyed the descent to Elm!
Exactly - the tour must be ridden from Ilanz to Schwanden. The best way to get there is by public transport. A fantastic tour in the most beautiful natural surroundings and a tremendously cool but technical descent, which also deserves a 4 in the Ride category. Those who are not technically fit will have a long descent.
I can only agree with Tom and Baldi. The tour from the Grisons side is very attractive for my taste. Most of the ascent can be mastered by riding and I found the descent to Elm extremely fun. Here is a video about it: https://youtu.be/JAuAv2UeMLc
I parked the car in Ziegelbrücke and rode the SBB train via Chur to Ilanz. I started the tour from there. Incidentally, you could also start cycling in Rueun. Back by bike from Elm on the cycle path to Schwanden. From there, take the train back to Ziegelbrücke.
20.08.2020
Yes, the Panixer Pass from the south (Rueun) to the north (to Schwanden), roughly 1700m up, of which 100 push and 200 carry.
6-7 hours riding time without a break.
The other direction described here is also no fun / sense from my point of view.
You can ride almost continuously on the descent to Elm. Continue to Schwanden on the cycle route
Demanding and sustained. Longer S2 passages, loose scree and here and there blocky/steep mostly around 20cm, sometimes up to 40cm - you should be able to cope with this even on a long tour
several sections S3 or more - which I pushed.
The scenery is magnificent.
How can a ride guide only recommend this tour from the Glarus side or carry everything up. The descent from Panixer to Ilanz is also too steep at the beginning. When it becomes rideable, the gravel road soon follows.
Complete nonsense. The tour must definitely be ridden from the Grisons side towards Glarnerland. The downhill towards the Panzerpiste is very demanding. But then you realize how stupid the reverse direction is.
On foot it is certainly more pleasant from the Glarus side, because the technically difficult and steep terrain is only tackled on narrow hiking trails on the ascent and 90% (with the exception of the first 300m) can be descended on the forest road highway. If you don't like technical descents on your bike and prefer to carry your bike uphill rather than ride it, you should also start in Glarnerland and carry your bike up the 1500m for 5 hours. However, if you prefer to ride your bike up as much as possible and enjoy riding down into the valley on technical single trails, you should start from the Grisons side, as this allows you to ride about 80% of the ascent, whereas from the Glarus side you can only ride 20% until the end of the asphalt road and then a 1500m carrying "passage" follows. The trail into Glarnerland is absolutely top class for those whose heart beats for technical and sometimes blocked descents.
Hello everyone, up to now I've always laughed at the Germans because I thought they were the only ones carrying the bike over the 1000 m up the pass. I rode the tour on the other side, so 90% of the ascent is rideable, and some of the descent too. I'm used to carrying 300 meters of altitude from crossing the Alps, but 1000 :-(.