Flims is beautiful mountain resort in southeast Switzerland, known for relaxing alpine lakes, spectacular hikes, authentic Swiss culture, and lots of fun activities for kids.
While it’s a favorite among Swiss families, Flims is relatively unknown to most international tourists. This means fewer crowds, more availability, and a much more relaxed summer experience.
It’s an ideal base for a long weekend or a full week, with plenty of variety: lakeside picnics, high alpine treks, activity trails, river walks, mountain biking, scenic gondola rides, and lots of easy day trips nearby.
Flims is also conveniently located near the start of the Bernina Express, so it’s a smart add-on for families planning that iconic panorama train ride.
Below you’ll find our suggested Flims itinerary, as well as the hotel and restaurants we suggest.
Note: Thanks to Me and All Hotel Flims for hosting our recent visit to Flims.
Contents
- Flims Itinerary Overview
- How to get to Flims
- Where we stayed: Me and All Hotel Flims
- Where to eat
- Childcare
- Flims Day 1: Segnesboden waterfalls & marble run
- Flims Day 2: Bike Park, Zip Line, & Treetop Path
- Flims Day 3: Forest trail along stream & Swiss Grand Canyon viewpoint
- Rainy day? No Worries!
- Day Trips from Flims
Flims Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Mountain views, Waterfalls, Optional Hike & Lake Swim
Ride cable car to Segnesboden, a beautiful high alpine valley and visit waterfalls. Optional hike in the afternoon on the marble run trail for kids or longer “waterway” trail along river. Afternoon swim at an alpine lake.
Day 2: Outdoor Freestyle Park, Treetop Path & Lake Playtime
Get sporty at an outdoor freestyle park, with a beginners flow trail for skateboards, BMX bikes and scooters. Add-on zip line, vertical drop, giant slide and/or treetop path with marble runs. Relax in the afternoon at a nearby lake with a playground and mountain views.
Day 3: Forest trail along stream & Swiss Grand Canyon viewpoint
Easy walk on the Connbächli trail along a small stream winding through the forest, where kids can float toy boats. End at a btraditional Swiss restaurant and viewpoint over the Rhine river gorge. Optional afternoon lake swimming.
How to get to Flims
Flims is located in southwest Switzerland, southeast of Zurich and just west of Chur. See on Google maps.
If you are doing the Bernina Express scenic train (which leaves from Chur), this would be a good add-on to your itinerary.
By car
The Flims village is easily accessible by car. After exiting the main highway, it’s about 12 mins on a well-built two lane road up to the mountain village.
Some sample driving times from Swiss cities:
- Zurich 1h30
- Chur 22 mins
- Lucerne: 1h55
There is large parking garage directly next to the FlemsXpress gondola, directly underneath the Me and All Hotel (discount daily rate for hotel guests).
By public transport
It’s easy to get to Flims by public transport. From Zürich, you take a direct train to Chur (1h14). Then a bus to the center of the Flims village (27 mins). The bus has a large compartment for luggage.
Sample travel time from:
- Zurich 1h51
- Chur 36 mins
- St Moritz 2h24
- Luzern 2h49
Getting around Flims
It’s easiest to get around by bus to all the activities mentioned in this itinerary. Bus 81 is the main bus in this area, reaching most places in this itinerary. It departs about every 15 mins. Check schedule on SBB.ch.
If you stay overnight, your hotel will gives you a LAAX Guest Card, which includes free public transport in the region and discounts on many attractions.
Where we stayed: Me and All Hotel Flims
Our top pick in Flims for families is Me and All Hotel Flims, which has lots of extras that make it a particularly enjoyable for a summer holiday.
It’s conveniently located in the center of the Flims village, steps away next to the FlemsXpress gondola and not more than 10 mins by bus from any of the activities in this itinerary.
Top things we love about this hotel:
- Convenience: Right next to gondola station, bus stop and grocery
- Family rooms: joined rooms and roomy studios that can sleep 5+
- Affordable: attractive rates and discounts on gondola and other attractions
- Rainy day: Cinema, indoor freestyle park, and spa on the property
This is a Hyatt property and gives an exclusive rate for World Of Hyatt Members. Secure your discount here.
Room options
The hotel offers rooms with King-sized or single beds. Many of the rooms have terrace balconies overlooking the mountains. I really liked the bold modern styling, gives it a more luxurious feel than your typical family mountain hotel. Check current offers.
Hotel rooms include use of the gym and spa (age 16+), including rope and slippers. Rooms have Nespresso coffee machines and a mini fridge.
Daily cleaning is included, but I liked their sustainability option to cancel the cleaning on any day if you don’t need it (receiving a drink voucher for the bar as a thank you).
Studio apartments
They also have “Studio” apartments, which have a kitchen, living area, and sleep 2-4 people. You can even join two studios together for more sleeping space.
The studios have a fresh, simple styling with light wood and neutral tones. I liked that the studios have an open floor plan but also sliding doors so you can sometimes partition areas for privacy.
The studios are very affordably priced, with hotel services, like daily cleaning or spa, optionally booked separately only when you need them. Check current offers.
Spa & Wellness
On the top floor of the hotel, they have a spa and wellness center with two saunas, steam bath, experience showers, and relaxation rooms indoor and outdoor, with a mountain view. For ages 16+.
If you have kids, you can use the hotel’s free “Spa Around” offer to visit indoor pools in other hotels around the Flims Laax area. We suggest Aua Grava at the youth hostel, which has an indoor pool with slide, 25-m lap pool, and splash pool.
Guest Discounts
As a hotel guests, you get several free services and discounts in the area, including:
- Free buses in the Flims LAAX area.
- Cable car ticket discounted to CHF 35/adult. Kids free.
- Cinema tickets discounted 50%
- Free “Spa Around” offer to visit spas and indoor pools in many hotels around the Flims Laax area.
Services
The hotel is located above the Stenna shopping center, meaning you have easy access to a big grocery store, shops, pharmacy, and even a doctor.
Where to eat
Breakfast
The hotel offers a fantastic continental breakfast buffet, with a wide variety of tasty options. I loved the selection local alpine cheese, hearty bread, and traditional Bircher Müesli. Breakfast is an optional add-on for both hotel rooms and studios.
If you want to pick fresh pastries to eat on the go, try Bäckerei Cresta in Flims (Via Nova 17, 7017 Flims).
For your morning cappuccino, try Ella cafe in the Stenna center next to the hotel.
Lunch
In the itinerary below, I’ve noted cafes and mountain restaurants we suggest near the activities. If you want to bring a picnic, stop by the Coop grocery below the hotel.
Dinner
For dinner, we ate at Restaurant Piz next to the hotel, which has delicious and delightfully plated food, featuring regional dishes in creative ways. They also have a kids menu with familiar flavors, great for picky eaters.
We particularly enjoyed the watermelon tomato gazpacho and barley risotto with basil oil and salmon.
The restaurant has a beautiful interior with big windows letting in the sunshine and an outdoor terrace for warm summer days.
Childcare
During summer holidays, the “Kinderhort Laax” offers childcare for children aged 1-4. They have an indoor play area and also take children outside as the weather permits.
The childcare is usually available from mid July to mid August, daily 9:30 – 15:30. Check website for current opening times.
You can book morning, afternoon or a full day. Capacity is limited, so best to book via their website in advance. You must book before 16:00 the day before. For Sundays, you must book before 12:00 on Saturday.
Learn more about Kinderhort Laax.
How to get there: From the hotel, ride the bus to Laax GR, Bergbahnen (8 mins). Then a 5 min walk past the skate park to the Snow Wonderland near the Laax cable car station.
Flims Day 1: Segnesboden waterfalls & marble run
On this day, you’ll ride the FlemsXpress cable car up to Segnes. Then hike around the Segnesboden area and visit the waterfalls. Optional more hiking in the afternoon on the marble run or waterway trail. Then late afternoon swim at an alpine lake.
Segnesboden waterfall & hikes
Get to the the FlemsXpress gondola, just a 2 min walk from the Flims, Bergbahnen bus stop or Me and All Hotel. Ride up to the Segnes stop.
From there follow signs for the 764 trail and walk down to the river and out into this big flat valley.
It’s only about 15 mins to the big waterfalls and back, about 30 mins round trip. Or a full loop around the river valley, about 1h40. See trail map on Komoot • SchweizMobil.
Make sure to pick up some local honey from the honesty shop along the way.
Lunch
I suggest bringing a picnic, picking up supplies at the Coop grocery in the Stenna shopping center below the hotel. You could also eat at the Segenshütte restaurant near the Segnes cable car station.
Afternoon Option A: “Botsch la Bova” marble run trail
With younger kids, ride the cable car back down to then Foppa station and do the Botsch la Bova marble run down to Flims, about 1 hour. See trail map.
Remember to buy the marble at the FlemsXpress gondola ticket office at the start of the day. You get a 20% discount on the marble with your Laax Hotel Guest Card.
Afternoon Option B: Flims Waterway trail
If you want to hike longer, from Segnesboden follow the Flims Waterway trail along the river, crossing seven interesting bridges along the way.
It you start at Segnesboden, it takes about 3.5 hours on the waterway trail to reach Flims, all downhill. See trail map.
Learn more about Flims Waterway Trail
Late afternoon lake swim
When you are ready to relax, head to the Caumasee or Crestasee lakes to go swimming.
To reach Caumasee, ride the bus to Flims Waldhaus, Caumasee , 3 min ride from gondola/hotel. Then walk 10 mins to the Caumasee funicular and ride down the swimming area entrance.
Best to book Caumasee tickets in advance as spaces are limited during summer holidays. With Hotel Guest Card, 50% for adults and free for kids age 15 and under.
To reach Crestasee, ride bus to Trin Mulin, Crestasee, 7 min ride from gondola/hotel. Then a 12 min walk to the lake (see on map), where you’ll find grassy lawns, shallow splash are for kids, and easy entrance for swimming in the lake.
There’s no gate, but you need to pay a small fee to use the facilities at the little kiosk stand next to the lake. Small discount with your Hotel Guest Card. They have changing rooms, toilets, cafe and SUP to rent.
Flims Day 2: Bike Park, Zip Line, & Treetop Path
Today is all about sport activities and adrenaline rushes at the rocksresort PARK in nearby LAAX.
From Flims, ride the Bus 81 or 411 to the Laax, Bergbahnen stop (8 mins from the hotel, buses leave about every 15 mins). Then a short walk to the Rocks Resort skate park – see on map.
1. Outdoor freestyle park
The rocksresort PARK has a variety of paved courses you can “surf” with skateboards, BMX bikes and scooters. The “Snake Run” has short flow trail, great for beginners, with a magic carpet bringing you back up to do it again.
This area also has a playground with trampolines, sandbox, slacklines, table tennis, and grassy lawns for lawn games. You can rent equipment at the adjacent sports shop.
You pay a small fee to use the area for the day, payable through the LAAX app or at the tourism office adjacent to the park. You get a wristband to wear while using the park. Adults supervising children don’t need a ticket and can lounge at the nearby cafes.
Learn more about rocksresort PARK.
2. Adrenaline activities on “Murschetg” tower
The tower at the start of the treetop path has a few adrenaline activities:
- Zip Line – soar 220m from the tower over the rocksresort PARK
- Vertical Drop – drop 30m at a controlled speed
- Giant Slide – 73m enclosed spiral slide, under age 6 must ride with parent
You pay per ride for these activities, separate from the treetop path entrance. You can also buy a multi-pack and day pass.
I think these activities are fairly priced compared to similar amusements in Switzerland. In 2025, the zip line or vertical drop are CHF 10, slide CHF 5. Ticket for 4x activities CHF 28. See current prices.
Open: daily 10:00 – 17:00 from May – Oct / closed over lunch (12:00-13:00) outside the school holidays
3. “Senda dil Dragun” Treetop Path
This giant structure is home to the longest treetop path in the world (1.56km long). It’s an elevated walking path, winding through the forest towards the LAAX village.
The path has a few marble runs along the way, some on tracks paralleling the path, so you roll as you walk. You can buy the wooden marbles at the ticket office next to the rocksresort PARK and decorate it with markers so you can tell your ball apart from others.
Some of the marble runs are precariously suspended outside the path, so there’s definitely a risk of losing your marbles. Be prepared for disappointment if you are unlucky.
You pay an entrance fee to the treetop path (includes 2x entrance and 2x exit), 15% discount with your Hotel Guest Card. In my opinion, I find the entrance price quite high for what you get and I wouldn’t consider it a must-do.
Open: year round, 9:00 – 18:00
4. Where to eat lunch
There are a few restaurants in the complex near the rocksresort PARK. Piazza cafedeli has outdoor seating overlooking the skate park area.
Next to the Laaxersee lake swimming area, there is a kiosk and the Ustria Lags cafe. There is also a Volg grocery in the LAAX village.
5. Afternoon at Lake Laax
For a relaxing afternoon, head down to the LAAX village, which has a lovely lake (Laaxersee) with a swimming area and playground.
To get to this lake, you can ride the bus 81 or 411 from to Laax GR, Posta (5 min ride). Or if you did the Treetop path, you can walk there in about 20 mins. See lake on map.
On the north side of the lake, you’ll find the swimming area – small fee to use, but free with your Hotel Guest Card. There’s also a kiosk have pedalos and SUP to rent.
On the south side of the lake, you’ll find the playground, benches for lounging, and picnic area.
To get back to Flims, catch the bus from the Laax GR, Posta.
Flims Day 3: Forest trail along stream & Swiss Grand Canyon viewpoint
Now its time for a little “forest bathing” on the Connbächli trail along a small stream winding through the forest. This is a great for a very hot day, staying cool in the shade. And also for a cloudy day when the mountain peaks are hiding, since the charms are all close up.
You can spend the afternoon at one of the lakes you didn’t visit previously. Or if you want to hike more, you can hike all the way down to the river and have a stroll along the water.
If you need more adventure, you can even book a river rafting tour – our boys really loved that!
1. Boats to float
Before heading to the trail, you may want to stop by the Flims tourist office to buy a local handcrafted wooden boat specifically made for this trail.
These boats have a long attached string, so you can keep your boat from floating too fast away from you. Otherwise, you can float found materials like leaves, bits of grass or little flowers.
2. Connbächli trail
This trail starts at the Flims Waldhaus bus stop / parking, same place you start to visit the Caumasee. It’s a 3 min bus ride from the hotel and Flims village center.
The trail along the stream is about 3 k, ending near the Conn restaurant and Il Spir viewpoint. From here you can ride a shuttle bus back to Flims.
Or you can loop back to your starting point, optionally stopping at the Caumasee lake. This full loop is 5.3 km, 150m up & down. About 2 hours with kids. See trail map.
You don’t have to do the whole trail, as there are a few places where the trails cross each other. So you can simply loop back earlier. With very little kids, I would probably just do about 40 mins then loop back to the Caumasee lake and spend the afternoon there.
3. Lunch at Conn
The Connbächli trail leads to Restaurant Conn, which we always enjoy, with their hearty food and a lovely view from their outdoor terrace. They serve regional dishes like Capuns and other Swiss classics, a step up from the average mountain restaurant.
If you prefer to picnic, there’s a picnic area in the forest next to the Il Spir viewpoint (and also a public toilet).
4. Il Spir Viewpoint
Before you leave Conn, definitely visit the Il Spir tower, which overlooks the Rhine River gorge, fondly known as the Swiss Grand Canyon. It’s a 5 min walk from the Conn restaurant – see on map.
Afternoon Option A – Bus back to Flims (optional)
With little kids (or any tired legs), you can ride the shuttle bus 111 back to Flims. This bus runs from June to mid October, except when the Conn restaurant is closed. It runs about once an hour – check current schedule here.
It’s not part of the public transport system, so not covered by your guest card, Swiss Travel Pass or other public transport cards. In 2025, a one-way ticket costs CHF 10/adult, CHF 5/child age 7-16, under 6 free.
Afternoon Option B – Lake swim
From Conn, you can loop back to your starting point and stop at the Caumasee for swimming (about 45 mins). Or you can continue from Conn to the Crestasee (about 40 mins). Just follow the trail signs.
Afternoon option: Hike to Rhine River
From Conn, you can hike down to the Rhine river and walk on a nice path along the river. Then return to Flims via train and bus.
You start through the forest, then head down on some switchbacks until you get close to the river. Then you cross a big metal bridge on a walkers section, separate from the train tracks.
On the opposite side of the bridge, take a little detour to the riverbed so you can enjoy the interesting cliff formations that you saw from above at the Il Spir viewpoint.
Then join the trail and follow signs to Versam-Safien train station. From here, you can take a train to Illanz and bus back to Chur.
More info in this article.
Extra credit: river rafting
If you want an adventure activity, then book a rafting tour on this same section of the river. Our family had such a great time on a half-day trip with Swiss River Adventures, rafting from Ilanz to Bonaduz, about 2 hours on the river.
They provide an experienced river guide and all the equipment, including wetsuits and helmets. Book here.
If you are staying in Flims, you can ride a bus to the starting point at the Ilanz train station. The rafting ends at the Reichenau-Tamins train station. Just a short walk to the Tamins, Unterdorf bus stop and ride back to Flims, just 20 mins.
Rainy day? No Worries!
Flims Laax has lots of rainy day options, many right at the Me and All Hotel Flims.
Cinema
The hotel has a cinema with four screens, showing new movies in both English and German. Hotel guests get a 50% discount on tickets and free popcorn. See current program.
Indoor freestyle halls
In the Stenna center below the hotel, you’ll find the Kids Freestyle Academy. It’s an indoor freestyle hall with a skate ramps, trampolines, air bag jump.
It’s designed for smaller children, age 8 and under, so the elements are a bit smaller and safer, particularly due to the lack of teens and adults using the area.
There’s also an enclosed play area for toddlers, cafe, and lounge space for parents to supervise just outside the action zone.
You can pay for 1-3 hours or get a day pass. They also offer a couple camps during the summer holidays and also private lessons if your children want to learn specific tricks. There is equipment rental on-site, plus anti-slip socks to buy if you don’t have them.
Open: daily during summer holidays (July to mid August), otherwise Wed-Sun
Times: 9:30 – 12:00 & 14:00 – 18:00
Website: freestyleacademy.com
For older kids, instead visit the Laax Freestyle Academy, which is huge 2000m indoor freestyle hall, designed for competitive sport training, but also open to casual visitors.
It has a massive skate bowl, vertical ramp, competition level trampolines, parkour are with jumping tower and airbag, and much more. They offer courses and private lessons.
This facility is open to all ages. You can pay for just 1-2 hours or full day pass. Discount 15% with your Hotel Guest Card.
Spa & Wellness
Me and All Hotel Flims has a spacious wellness center with two saunas, steam bath, experience showers, and relaxation areas inside and out with a view. Ages 16+.
Plus with your Hotel Guest Card, you can take advantage of the “Spa Around” wellness pass. It gives you access to eight spa and wellness centers at hotels around the Flims Laax area.
It’s free with your Hotel Guest Card, but they request that you book a spot if you are not staying at that hotel, as spots are limited. Also, some times are blocked for hotel guests only.
If you are with kids, best to visit Aua Grava at the youth hostel. Kids can use the indoor pool with slide, 25-m lap pool, and splash pool. They also have a wellness center for age 16+ with sauna, steam baths, experience showers, and fitness room. Via Grava 45, 7031 Laax
Day Trips from Flims
If you are staying in Flims longer, there are so many great nearby day trips. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Pigniu reservoir & waterfalls
- Lake Toma – source of the Rhine river
- Val Frisal – hike up to another gorgeous high alpine river valley
- Lenzerheide Globi trail
So when’s your next trip to Flims?
Feeling overwhelmed with decisions and logistics? Book a trip planning consult with me.
