Gravel bike route Hinterrhein

You start in Chur and discover the gentle hills of the fruit and castle region Domleschg. The Glaspass is a hidden gem that leads you into the Beverin Nature Park. The ascent is long but not too steep. A beautiful panoramic route takes you over the Heinzenberg back to the historic market town of Thusis. The ride continues through the natural monument Viamala Gorge, where the 300-meter-high rock walls will leave you amazed. The route passes through the villages of the Schamserberg, which loom high above the valley and score points with their panoramic views, to Andeer. The route now relentlessly climbs towards Lai da Vons. Here you enjoy the peace of nature and the epic panoramic view. You then let yourself roll downhill to Sufers. Through the valley floor of the Rheinwald, you reach Splügen, the oldest mountain pass village in Graubünden. From Medels via Nufenen and Hinterrhein, you follow the still young Rhine towards its source. On the other side of the Rhine, the route descends the valley again and you roll along the Hinterrhein through the idyllic landscape and the valley floor of the Rheinwald back to Splügen. The climb through the Fugschtwald is short but steep. A rapid descent brings you to Lake Sufner, and on the northern shore, you continue on a quiet road towards the Rofla Gorge, which guarantees great views into a wild gorge. Over Bärenburg and Pignia, the route leads to Zillis, where the Capuns Swiss champion invites you to lunch at the Hotel Post. Through Reischen you ride through the Viamala to Thusis and from there along the Hinterrhein through Domleschg. From Reichenau, where the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein converge, you roll back to Chur at a leisurely pace.

Tip: Would you like to keep your back free on this multi-day tour? Then book the luggage transport from hotel to hotel – convenient and easy.

Stages

Stage 1: Chur – Thusis

Stage 2: Thusis – Glaspass – Thusis

Stage 3: Thusis – Andeer

Stage 4: Andeer – Lai da Vons – Splügen

Stage 5: Splügen – Splügen

Stage 6: Splügen – Chur

Tip: Gravel bikers with a lot of power in their legs can also complete stages 1 and 2 in one day.

Chur – Thusis: 29.8 kilometers – 404 meters of elevation gain

You start in Chur (593 m above sea level) and reach the imposing fortification Porta Rhaetica via cycle path No. 6 on the Polenweg. From Rothenbrunnen, the route winds over the gentle hills of the fruit and castle region Domleschg. In Paspels (757 m above sea level), you can admire the artworks of the well-known artist Robert Indermaur and Canova Lake invites you to take a break and cool off in summer. From here, it's not far to the historic market town of Thusis (680 m above sea level).

Thusis – Glaspass – Thusis: 36.1 kilometers – 1659 meters of elevation gain

The Glaspass is a hidden gem. MTB route No. 90 takes you from Thusis (680 m above sea level) past the villages of Urmein and Tschappina into the Beverin Nature Park. The ascent to the Glaspass (1846 m above sea level) is long, but besides steep ramps, there are also flat sections that bring relief. Upon reaching the pass summit, it's worth riding a few meters further to the mountain inn Beverin. Here, you have more than earned a short break! Only for a short time do you follow the road downhill, then you turn onto MTB route No. 623 "Heinzenberger Maiensäss Route." This leads you high above Domleschg along an impressive panoramic path. From Obergmein (1813 m above sea level) via Plau to Prau da l’Alp, short steep ramps await, but the great view compensates for it. The rapid descent to Präz (1170 m above sea level) and Raschlegnas puts a smile on your face. The high path takes you through the Cruttiser Tobel and over Tartar back to Thusis (680 m above sea level).

Thusis – Andeer: 27.1 kilometers – 983 meters of elevation gain

From Thusis (680 m above sea level), the route goes along the old Viamala road through the "Verloren Loch" to Rongellen. The 300-meter-high rock walls of the Viamala Gorge natural monument leave you amazed. The road runs high above the Viamala and it is definitely worth taking a look into the gorge. A stop at the visitor center is not only a break but also brings you closer to the history of the Alpine transit. The route then continues towards the villages of Muntogna da Schons, the villages of the Schamserberg. Via Zillis (945 m above sea level) and Donat, you reach Lohn (1585 m above sea level), Mathon, and Wergenstein. Here you are rewarded with a great view over the entire valley and the fantastic road to Wergenstein, which looms high above the Schams valley. A nice descent on an agricultural road brings you to Casti. Over an impressive wooden bridge, you reach Clugin before taking on the last meters to Andeer (982 m above sea level) on a natural road. Andeer is known for its healing spring. Enjoy the mineral bath with wellness area – relaxation for your tired muscles guaranteed.

Andeer – Lai da Vons – Splügen: 22 kilometers – 1237 meters of elevation gain

The road climbs relentlessly from Andeer (982 m above sea level) towards Lai da Vons. While climbing higher and higher through the forest of Tranter Tschaingel, you catch wonderful views over the whole valley. At Pastgaglia, you already have almost a thousand meters of elevation in your legs and leave the tree line behind. There are hardly any flat sections for recovery. You still have to grit your teeth briefly. At Larisch, you turn left. The natural road now becomes a bit bumpier. Shortly after the highest point of the ascent (2050 m above sea level), you spot Lai da Vons (1994 m above sea level). In the peace of nature, you enjoy the epic panoramic view, proudly pat yourself on the shoulder, and let yourself roll down the mountain to Sufers. Cycle route No. 505 "Rheinwaldroute" takes you through the valley floor of the Rheinwald to Splügen (1458 m above sea level), the oldest mountain pass village in Graubünden.

Splügen – Splügen: 33.2 kilometers – 361 meters of elevation gain

From Splügen (1458 m above sea level), you follow the still young Rhine towards its source. Via Medels and Nufenen, you ride through the Rheinwald to Hinterrhein (1620 m above sea level), the oldest Walser settlement in Graubünden. From Hinterrhein, it’s not far to the firing range. On weekdays, that’s the end, but on weekends you can continue even further into the valley on a natural road towards the Rheinquellhorn. On the other side of the Rhine, the route descends the valley on a natural road. Over the old Landbrugg, you get back to the village Hinterrhein. If you want an easier ride technically, take cycle route No. 6 to Nufenen. Skilled riders take the meadow path on the other side of the Rhine. From Nufenen, cycle route No. 505 "Rheinwaldroute" leads downhill. You roll through an idyllic landscape along the Hinterrhein through the valley floor of the Rheinwald back to Splügen (1458 m above sea level).

Splügen – Chur: 58.6 kilometers – 580 meters of elevation gain

You leave Splügen (1458 m above sea level) on cycle route No. 505 "Rheinwaldroute" downhill. At first, it goes a few meters towards the Splügen Pass. In the first bend, however, you already turn left and reach a short but steep ascent through the Fugschtwald (1589 m above sea level). A rapid descent brings you to Lake Sufner, whose water shines turquoise. On the northern shore, you continue on a quiet road toward the Rofla Gorge. Great views into the wild gorge are guaranteed also from the road. Over Bärenburg (1040 m above sea level), you reach Pignia on a side road. From here, a natural path takes you to Zillis (945 m above sea level). A local secret tip here is the Capuns specialty – prepared by the Capuns Swiss champion at Hotel Post. Refreshed, the route takes you over Reischen (1024 meters) through the Viamala Gorge to Thusis (680 m above sea level). Cycle route No. 6 leads you along the Hinterrhein through Domleschg. In Reichenau, where the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein flow together, you switch to cycle route No. 2 along the Rhine and roll back to Chur (593 m above sea level) at a leisurely pace.