This super easy winter hike loops around the top of a mountain. The whole hike is in the sun, so you can enjoy big panorama views across the Viamala region and don’t get cold in a shady forest. With very little elevation gain or descent, this hike is suitable for any beginner that can go the distance.
After the hike, you can have a meal at a mountain restaurant then add a little excitement by sledding down about 5 km.
Contents
| Region: | near Chur, Graubünden Switzerland |
| Trail start: | top of Feldis chair lift |
| Car: | park at Rhäzuns-Feldis cable car – Via Nova 27, 7403 Rhäzüns or park at Feldis chair lift – 46°47’29.6″N 9°26’24.5″E From Zürich about 1hr20-1hr45 |
| Public transport: | bus stop: Rhäzuns, Luftseilbahn From Zürich 2hr |
| Trail: | 5.2 km loop, about 1hr45 |
| Elevation: | highest point 2000m |
| Physical difficulty: | easy |
| Trail condition: | easy, groomed snow |
| Services: | restaurants at start of trail |
| Cost: | Feldis chair lift to reach trail – CHF 18/adult, no discounts optional Rhäzuns cable car to reach Feldis – CHF 19/adult, discounts for Swiss travel cards |
| Open: | mid-December through March, snow dependent |
| More info: | viamala.ch • webcam • snow report |
Location
This winter hike is in southeast Switzerland, near Chur (see on Google Maps). The trail is at the top of a chair lift.
Overview
Here’s the winter map for Feldis.
Trail map
This winter hike is a loop, starting and ending at the top of the Feldis chair lift. It’s very easy walking, with very little elevation gain or descent. The snow is groomed so you don’t need snowshoes. It took our family about 1hr30 walking time, 2hr15 total time on the trail.
See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Snowshoe trail: If you want to explore more of this area, there are a few snowshoe trails. Many people do the snowshoe trail that connects Feldis with Brambrüesch, another mountain ski area. See trail map. I would hike from Feldis to Brambrüesch, which is less elevation gain.
Sledding
There are two sled runs from the top of the Feldis chair lift that you can do after the hike. They all looks a little steep in my opinion, but there were lots of families with little kids enjoying them.
The Südhang trail (aka South) is 5 km and goes down the sunny side of the mountain. It ends directly at the Feldis chair lift. It seemed that most people were doing this trail. See map of sled run.
The Nordhand trail (aka North) is 4.5 km and goes down the north side of the mountain, which is a little more shady. It ends in the Feldis village, not at the chair lift. So you would have to walk back to the chair lift to return your sled, not ideal. See map of sled run.
If you are only sledding one time after the hike, get only a one-way ticket for the chair lift. If you want to sled multiple times, get a day pass for the chair lift.
Getting there
This hike starts at the top of the Feldis chair lift. You can drive up the mountain on a narrow road and park next to the chair lift. Or you can park in the valley and ride the Rhäzuns-Feldis up the mountain, then walk or take a shuttle bus to the chair lift.
By public transport:
Take a train to Bahnhof Rhäzüns, then a bus to Rhäzüns, Luftseilbahn, which drops off in the cable car parking lot. Or you can walk from the train station, about 500m / 7 mins. This cable car runs every 30 mins on the xx:10 and xx:40. See current schedule.
From Rhäzuns cable car to Feldis: At the top of the Rhäzuns cable car, take the shuttle bus or walk 1km over to the chair lift. The shuttle bus leaves at xx:00, xx:20, xx:40. I think it’s free. Or you can walk about 15 min (about 1 km) on the road to the chair lift, which is what we did. It’s an easy walk and didn’t bother us on a nice sunny day.
By car:
The chair lift is located in the mountain village Feldis – 46°47’29.6″N 9°26’24.5″E (sorry, no street address). There are free parking lots next to the chair lift, but limited space. If these fill up, there is more parking in the Feldis village (see on map).
If you don’t want to drive up the mountain, you can instead ride the Rhäzuns cable car (Via Nova 27, 7403 Rhäzüns) up to Feldis. Parking at the Rhäzuns cable car station is free. This cable car runs every 30 mins on the xx:10 and xx:40. See current schedule.
At the top of the cable car, take the shuttle bus or walk 1km over to the chair lift. See above for instructions.
Ticket prices & operating times
If you are riding up from Rhäzuns, you’ll need tickets for both the Rhäzuns cable car and Feldis chair lift (these are sold separately). If you drove up the mountain, you’ll only need tickets for the Feldis chair lift.
The Rhäzuns-Feldis cable car runs every 30 mins on the xx:10 and xx:40. In 2021, a round trip ticket costs CHF 18/adult, CHF 9/adult with SBB Half-fare/GA card and children (6-15), children under 6 and SBB Junior Cards ride free. If you bring a sled, it also needs a ticket for CHF 2. See current prices and operating times.
The Feldis chair lift runs daily, continuously from 9:30 – 16:00 (from 9:00 on Sundays). A return ticket on the chair lift costs CHF 19/adult, CHF 11/child. No discounts for travel cards. Family ticket for CHF 50 includes 2 adults and all children under 20. If you want to sled down, buy a one-way ticket instead. See current prices and operating times.
Sled rental
If you want to sled after the hike, you can rent sleds at Mutta Sport, which is next to the bottom chair lift station. They have a different sled types, which range in rental price from CHF 10-15/day. They also rent children’s helmets for CHF 6 and snowshoes.
Sleds can sell out early in the day, so best to rent the sled at the beginning of the hike and take it up with you. Leave it near the Alp Raguta mountain restaurant, where the sled run starts, and pick it up after your hike. I would leave some of your things on the sled, so other people know it belongs to someone, not just a random available sled.
What to bring and wear
The snow on this trail is groomed, so you only need comfortable hiking shoes, preferably waterproof with good tread. The terrain is easy, so hiking sticks are not required. But bring them if it makes you more comfortable. You should wear warm layers appropriate to the weather forecast and waterproof outer layers to stay dry in the snow.
See also What to pack & wear on a winter hike
Where to eat
This trail is a loop. There are no services along the trail. But there are two mountain restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating, a short walk from the top of the chair lift at the start/end of the trail. Alp Raguta is next to the ice rink and start of sled run (see on map). Alp dil Plaun is a couple minutes walk farther (see on map).
Photo story of the trail
Here’s the free parking lot at the Rhäzuns-Feldis cable car. The bus stop is at the far end of the parking lot.
The cable car fits about 15 people. It usually runs every 30 mins. On weekends and holidays, it will run on demand if there are enough people.
When you exit the cable car in Feldis, walk on the road to your right, following signs to Alp Raguta with the chair lift symbol.
You’ll walk through this adorable village. There might be snow on the road depending on when you go.
Here is the bus stop, just a couple minute walk from the cable car. A ski bus shuttle picks up here and takes you over to the chair lift. But I could not figure out the schedule. We saw the shuttle
Really nice views right from the Feldis village.
We walked to the chair lift on this road, about 15 mins.
Here’s the free parking next to the chair lift.
Here is the ticket booth next to the chair lift. You can pay with cash or card.
It’s a 2-person lift with a safety bar. It might have been the slowest lift I’ve ever ridden. I started to go crazy near the top.
Here is the Mutta Sport shop next to the chair lift where you can rent sleds.
Looking back at the chair lift parking.
At the top of the chair lift, follow signs to the winter trail. We did the trail clockwise, which I think is best. The trail start next to the drag lift.
The start of the trail.
Very easy walking on this relatively smooth flat path.
Follow the pink signs that say “Rundgang gross.”
Mountain views all around. From here we could see Flim/Laax across the valley.
Some sculptures along the way.
Lots of trees, but no cold shady spots on this trail.
At the far side of the loop, you can see these hills with snowshoe tracks. The long snowshoe trail leads to the highest point on the left, which is the top of the Brambrüesch ski resort.
Most of these pink signs are for snowshoe trails, as indicated by the little symbol. Follow the “Alle Richtungen” sign, staying on the groomed path to your right.
The Fulhorn peak comes into view now.
Wrapping around the mountain and getting a view down towards Thusis.
Looking back on the trail.
Crossing the snowshoe trail.
Looking back at the fork in the trails. To the right is the trail we just came from. Straight ahead is the snowshoe trail. To the left is the “Klein” or short version of the trail that skipped the backside of the mountain we just visited.
The first mountain restaurant you’ll pass, Alp dil Plaun (see on map).
A couple minutes later you reach the second mountain restaurant, Alp Raguta, which is next to the ice rink and start of sled run (see on map).
Next to the restaurant is an “infinity” ice rink. Part of the rink is reserved for curling.
Next to the restaurant is the start of the south sled run, aka Schlittelweg.
Outdoor seating at the restaurant. You order inside and they’ll bring it to your table. You can pay with cash or card.
A successful day with the family in the mountains.
Done with the hike and riding down the chair lift to Feldis.
I hope you enjoy this winter hike!
