Rheinschlucht
Welcome to Rheinschlucht, a natural wonder that will leave you in awe of its beauty and grandeur. Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland, this breathtaking gorge offers a captivating journey through time and nature.
In this blog, you can read everything you need to know about visiting Switzerland’s own Grand Canyon.
Welcome to the Grand Canyon of Switzerland!
Rheinschlucht, also known as the Rhine Gorge or Swiss Grand Canyon, is located in the Graubünden canton, which is known for its stunning alpine landscapes and diverse natural attractions. The gorge stretches along the course of the Rhine River between the towns of Ilanz and Reichenau, offering a magnificent display of towering cliffs, rocky formations, and the powerful flow of the river.
How to get to the Rheinschlucht
The Rheinschlucht is accessible by car, and there are also public transportation options available. As you make your way through the winding roads and scenic landscapes, anticipation builds for the beautiful scenerythat awaits you.
The nearest international airport to Rheinschlucht is Zurich Airport (ZRH). From the airport, you can take a rental car to get to Rheinschlucht, or use the train to get to Chur. From Chur, it’s another 30 minutes by train before arriving at the Valendas Sagogn station, which is situated along the Gorge.
What to do at the Rheinschlucht?
- Hit the water!
A gorge always offers a variety of activities for people that are willing to hit the water. Kayak or canoe along the waters of the Rhine, gliding past towering cliffs and experiencing the canyon from a unique perspective.
- A scenic walk!
At the bottom of the gorge, several walking trails are indicated. Enjoy walking along a well-marked trail that winds along the rim of the gorge, offering awe-inspiring views at every turn. An example of a walking trail is the Versam to Ilanz route.
This scenic trail follows the Rhine River through Rheinschlucht from Versam to Ilanz. It offers breathtaking views of the gorge's towering cliffs and the rushing river below. The trail is relatively easy and well-marked, making it suitable for all skill levels.
- Visit the Islabord viewing platform along the Rheinschlucht
The Islabord viewing platform gives you breathtaking views of the gorge. The blue water combined with the towering mountains is a true sight to behold. Getting there is very easy, since you can park your car almost right in front of the viewing platform. Since this area of Switzerland seems to be a lot less touristy compared to Lauterbrunnen, I was there without anybody else for sunset.
- More viewpoints?
From Islabord, you might be able to see Il Spir in the far distance. Personally, I really enjoyed going down (parked the car near the train station of Versam) into the gorge. It was just a short walk to a nice viewpoint along the water, from where you could see the train passing by in a distance. Pretty scenic train ride!
- Enjoy a scenic train ride!
Hop on the train in either Valendas or Versam and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rheinschlucht.
If you decide to go to Chur, there’s another scenic train route awaiting you. The Bernina express is the highest railroad track in the Alps, going up to 2,253 meters high, passing 196 bridges and giving you breathtaking views of various Glaciers.
Enjoy the drive!
Coming from Flims or Laax? Then you’ll be driving over a beautiful road with lots of hairpins, a stunning sight! Do note that the road gets pretty small at a certain point, so be extra cautious with traffic coming from the other side.
Also, note that the way down from Islabord (to the train station) is a very small road. There is a sign indicating the estimated times of the Postauto (public transportation bus) passing the road. Last time I was there, the bus would pass every hour (from 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening) around 06:18-06:23 (etc.).
Have fun!
More things to do in the area
