Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon)

The Rhine Gorge, known locally as the Ruinaulta and often nicknamed the Swiss Grand Canyon, is a deep, winding cut in the landscape of Graubünden between the villages of Reichenau and Ilanz. Here the young Rhine flows between steep, pale walls of rock, some of them rising well over a hundred metres above the river, topped with dark pine forest. The walls are not a classic canyon cut into bedrock. They are the remains of an enormous rockslide that fell from the Flims mountain thousands of years ago, one of the largest landslides in the Alps, and the river has since carved a new course through the debris. That origin explains the unusual pale, crumbly look of the cliffs and the many pinnacles and ridges along the edge.

Near Chur, the gorge is easy to reach. The Rhaetian Railway line toward Disentis runs through it, partly in tunnels and partly on the valley floor, and the Glacier Express uses the same stretch. A train ride from Chur, with a window seat on the right side, shows the scenery without much effort. The railway also makes the gorge excellent for a one-way hike: you can walk part of the way and return by train from one of the small stations, for example around Versam or near Trin.

On foot, trails follow both the rim and the floor of the gorge. The rim paths offer viewing points with lookouts over the river, while the riverbank has gravel bars, sandy beaches and quiet pools, and the water takes on a turquoise colour in summer. Several places along the way have picnic and barbecue spots, so a day out usually combines walking with a long lunch outdoors. The ruin of a castle and old hilltop villages such as Valendas, with its well-kept village square, are worth the detour. The lakes near Trin and Flims, including Crestasee, are popular for a swim in warm weather.

The Rhine is also used for river rafting in the gorge, and several operators run guided trips in the warmer months, with the weather and water level deciding what is on offer. Cyclists can follow the national Rhine Route, which runs through the area, and mountain bikers have routes on the slopes above. Always check trail conditions locally, because rockfall and seasonal closures can affect some paths.

This is a good option for a half-day or full-day outing from Chur, suitable for hikers, train enthusiasts and families who want a big landscape without a high Alpine climb. Combine it with a walk through Chur’s old town for a varied day in the region.