Gravelbike Mountain World of Graubünden

Beginning in Klosters, you climb over the Duranna Pass into a gentle landscape of moorland and meadows. The Grünsee, or Green Lake, lies directly at the pass. From here, you continue through the high valley of Fondei. The Walser settlement of Strassberg, with its sun darkened wooden houses, is a true gem; equally impressive are the historic viaduct in Langwies and, just before Arosa, the Isel reservoir.

In a wide arc, the route leads high above the valley floors and close to the treeline, circling around the striking peaks of the Chur Alps. It begins with the Weisshorn, whose Schanfigg slopes guide you into the untouched Urdental valley, before you continue in a wide loop through the historic former mining area that partly encircles the Parpaner Schwarzhorn. A beautiful view over the alpine city of Chur and the shady stone pine and conifer forests along the Landwasser river give you a boost for the final ascent via Valbella to Lenzerheide.

Bright conifer forests accompany you through the sunny high valley of Lenzerheide before you continue your gravel ride via the Albula Valley into the Domleschg. Proud castles rise above the Domleschg woodlands, while the Hinterrhein winds through orchards on the valley floor.

In Bonaduz, the gateway to the Vorderrhein, the loop around the spectacular Rhine Gorge begins. You catch your first glimpse of Switzerland’s “Grand [BH1] Canyon” at Zault. Shortly afterwards, Valendas welcomes you with Europe’s largest wooden fountain and its mysterious fountain nymph. Through the riverside meadows along the Rhine, you reach the historic old town of Ilanz – the first town on the Rhine.

In Ilanz, you cross the Vorderrhein, then climb via Sagogn across open meadow slopes and enter the forested area of Uaul Grond with its many small lakes. Lake Cauma glitters in the sunlight like an emerald eye. At Conn, a detour to the Il Spir viewing platform is well worth it for a bird’s eye view of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ruinaulta. Through a centuries old cultural landscape of orchards and alpine pastures, you reach your destination Flims.