A Short Walk along the Rhine River near Chur

Sunday Nov.24 -- This was another short stretch to walk for us, but the idea was to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. The weather report was about the same for everywhere, very cloudy with few sunny breaks, and we could have stayed closer to home, but we went toward the Graubünden region of Switzerland because there were Foehn winds blowing this weekend, which usually means warmer weather. 

We ended up doing only two-thirds of the trail we had mapped out. The plan was 12 km along the regional trail called "Senda Sursilvana", the section from Tamins to Chur with the last stretch along the highway and through the large city of Chur. First we visited the church on the hill in Tamins, a church we often see when passing through by train, and then a long walk on comfortable forest roads with the stunning yellows and reds of the autumn leaves turning. We were glad to have experienced this. Often when we get around to low-land hikes, the trees are already bare.

By the time we got down to the level of the Rhine River (at this location we are only about 80 km from its source, so pretty close to its beginning, compared to its total length of 1233 km), we could hear the highway very cleary, which isn't much fun, and I find walking along rivers rather monotonous, so we ended our walk after 8 km in a very quaint town called Felsberg, situated directly beneath an almost vertical mountain which apparently at some point experienced a landslide, and looks like it just might come down some more! Meandering through, we found another farmer's shop, they lured us in with promise of ice cream, but we left with their homemade cheese and sausage instead!

Here we just got off the bus in Tamins. The church on the hill is visible from across the valley where we often pass by train on our way to other destinations in the area. Today, we planned on visiting it. 

 

First a walk through the small Graubünden village

This interesting building is a restaurant. 

 

The inside of the church

View North to the Rhine River and the city of Chur which is our planned destination, after walking through the forests on the hillside on the left.

This was the plan, 12 km and 3 hours to walk to Chur. But we only walked as far as Felsberg and caught the train on the other side of the river

Heading North out of the village of Tamins, a view of the church on the hill. The snow-capped mountains would look so much better against a blue background. 

It was pleasant walking through the autumn forests. Not cold, and lots of colour

Some very beautiful fall colours

This is a magnificent oak tree. There is a large oak forest here.

As we head down to the Rhine River, a look South to the Domat Ems Hydro Power Plant

From here at Domat Ems to Felsberg we walked about 2 km along the shore of the Rhine River, but we didn't continue on to Chur

 

Across the Rhine River is another old church on a small hill, this is in Domat Ems (no river crossing at this place)

Along the Rhine River

 

Trail along the Rhine River between Domat Ems and Felsberg

Instead of continuing to Chur, we took a detour into the small town of Felsberg. Also visited this church.

 

At some point there was a landslide here, bringing down some pretty large boulders

 

We found a farm shop where we could purchase their products. Where the prices are marked, you just put the money into a small cash box attached to the wall. We bought cheese and sausage from the fridge on the left. 

Very typical beautiful Grisons-style door and building paintings

Very pretty old renovated buildings in the village of Felsberg. We were quite pleased with our decision to make this detour.

 

From this vantage point it looks like more of the hillside could come down soon. I would not want to live here!

Crossing the Rhine River: To continue to Chur (highrises ahead) we would have to walk along the river here next to the highway, so we decided to simply catch the next train from here back to the city. 

What we ended up doing: Only 8 km and 2 hours, but at least we enjoyed those. The weather wasn't so great to enjoy more walking. 

Next year, we will walk across the Kunkelspass into that other valley behind Tamins. Somewhere we have not yet visited!

This is the area near Chur which we explored this day, about 2.5 hours from home, and near the source of the Rhine River