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Nature · Chur, Grisões
Ruinaulta
The Rhine gorge between Flims and Ilanz, with white cliffs formed by an ancient landslide, viewed from the Il Spir viewpoint and traversed by the Ferrovia Rética.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ruinaulta
The Ruinaulta is the gorge of the Anterior Rhine, west of Chur, between the towns of Flims and Ilanz. About 9,500 years ago, a huge mountain collapse—the Flims landslide—filled the valley. The river cut its way through the debris and formed a canyon with pale, almost white cliffs shaped into spires and towers, and pine forests. Because of the landscape, the gorge is called the Swiss Grand Canyon.
The easiest way to see the Ruinaulta from above is the Il Spir viewpoint, near the village of Conn above Flims. It is a metal platform shaped like a bird that juts out over the abyss, with views of the river and the cliffs. It is reached by a forest walk from Flims.
Below, the Ferrovia Rética line runs along the riverbank, and the stretch is part of the Glacier Express route. Travelers by train between Chur and Disentis pass through the bottom of the gorge. Trails descend to the river and follow parts of the bank, and in summer there are organized raft and kayak trips offered by local companies.
Near the viewpoint are also the Flims lakes, such as the Caumasee, with its green-blue water.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day, with the walk to the Il Spir viewpoint; a full day if you descend to the river.
Best time
From May to October for walking. Sunny days enhance the colour of the cliffs. In winter, trails may be snowy.
How to get there
From Chur, buses take about 35 minutes to Flims. From Flims Waldhaus centre, a forest trail leads to the Il Spir viewpoint, near Conn, in about 45 minutes to 1 hour. By train, the Chur–Disentis line runs along the gorge floor, stopping at Versam-Safien and Valendas-Sagogn.
Tip
To see the gorge from two angles, visit the Il Spir viewpoint in the morning and return to Chur by the Ferrovia Rética train, which runs along the floor of the gorge.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ruinaulta
What is the Ruinaulta?
It's the gorge of the Reno Anterior between Flims and Ilanz, with pale cliffs formed about 9,500 years ago by a major landslide. It's known as the Swiss Grand Canyon.
How do you get to the Il Spir viewpoint?
By bus from Chur to Flims and then a forest walk of 45 minutes to 1 hour to the viewpoint, near the village of Conn.
Can you see the Ruinaulta by train?
Yes. The Ferrovia Rética line between Chur and Disentis runs along the bottom of the gorge, on the stretch also used by the Glacier Express.
How far is the Ruinaulta from Chur?
About 25 km. Flims is about a 35-minute bus ride from Chur.