Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From Ilanz station the path follows the Vorderrhein downstream by Castrisch and Valendas-Sagogn into the Ruinaulta, the Rhine Gorge (Rheinschlucht), and ends at Versam-Safien station on the Rhaetian Railway. The first kilometre or so out of Ilanz runs on a cycleway; after that most of the way is on paths.
It is 11.4 km one way with 148 m of ascent and 212 m of descent; allow about 3¼ hours. Surselva Tourismus (on Graubünden's tourist board site) gives the same 11.4 km and 3 h 10 and rates it medium. The grade is Moderate. The 2026 flyer of the Verein Rheinschlucht says most of the path network is mountain hiking trails and recommends suitable equipment.
There is no continuous path in the gorge between Versam station and Trin station, so this walk ends at Versam-Safien and the rest must be done by train. Use only the signposted paths, keep dogs on the lead, camp only on official campsites and do not enter the closed gravel banks from 1 April to 15 July, when birds nest on the ground. Obey any path closures, for example in high water. On Saturday 24 October 2026 the trail is closed until about 13:00 for a trail marathon.
Ilanz station is on the Rhaetian Railway, with paid parking at the station according to Surselva Tourismus. The canton's 2026 timetable has the regional trains stopping at Valendas-Sagogn and Versam-Safien on different services, so look at the timetable for the way back from Versam-Safien to Ilanz or Chur.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Along the Vorderrhein from Ilanz by Castrisch and Valendas-Sagogn into the Ruinaulta, the Rhine gorge; the Verein Rheinschlucht's 2026 flyer says its story began with the Flims rockslide about 9,500 years ago and that over the millennia the Rhine made its way through the rockslide debris
- Surselva Tourismus (on Graubünden's tourist board site) gives the route as 11.4 km and 3 h 10, of medium difficulty, ending at Versam-Safien station on the Rhaetian Railway
- There is no continuous path in the gorge between Versam and Trin: the stretch has to be done by train
- Dogs must be on the lead and walkers must keep to the signposted paths; camping is allowed only on official campsites
Getting there
Start: Ilanz station. 46.77525, 9.20769
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Graubünden: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
