Is a half day trip to Rheinschlucht (Rhine Gorge(Ruinalta)) worth it?
A traveler is visiting Switzerland for the first time in February, planning to take the Bernina Express to Chur for one night, then spend three nights in Luzern before heading to Austria. They want advice on whether a half-day trip to Rheinschlucht is worthwhile, considering the cold and difficulty in hiking from Flims, while also planning to buy a Saver Day Pass for the day.
- Enjoy the Rheinschlucht scenery from the warmth of the train, as hiking may be unsafe due to snow in February.
- Reserve your seat on the Bernina Express soon, as these can sell out quickly.
- Consider breaking your journey at Versam-Safien if the weather is good, as trains run hourly.
AI-generated summary-
Hi!
I’ll be travelling for the first time to Switzerland next February. I’m taking the Bernina express to Chur – I’m staying one night there – and then going to Luzern for 3 nights. Then I’m going to Austria for a few days.
I was wondering if it’s worth it going for a half day trip to Rheinschlucht as I saw the pictures and was amazed by it. I was planning to take the RE7 train to Versam-Safien and back since I saw I cannot access the Il Spir viewpoint from there – and maybe it’s way too cold to hike from Flims.
Later on that day I’ll be taking the train to Luzern so I’ll surely buy the Saver Day Pass.
Would you do it that way? What would you recommend?
Thanks!!
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Hello Maquita
The Rheinschlucht west of Chur on the railway to Disentis is magnificent. However the gorge is uninhabited, and the only economic activity is summer-only kayaking, rafting and the like, The stations are a long way from the villages they purport to serve.
I have been through the gorge on a train many times, but I have only got off once. That was at Versam-Safien. I then rode on the infrequent connecting bus to Thalkirch. On getting back to the station I walked about 200 metres, sat down by the river, and ate my packed lunch. (Fortunately I had realised there would be nowhere to buy food.) My fingers got stickey, so I washed my hands in the river! In 40 minutes I saw one other person. This was in APRIL.
In February, the few footpaths in the area will be covered in snow. If you slipped and fell…
What I would do is this. Get the RE7 train from Chur to Disentis, enjoying the gorge from the warmth of the train. At Disentis cross the platform and get on the connecting train over the Oberalp Pass to Andermatt. From Andermatt get the Schollenen gorge railway down to Goschenen, from where you catch the Treno Gottardo to Luzern. If the Treno Gottardo is an RE46 to Zurich, you must change at Arth-Goldau for Luzern.
IF the weather is fine, you could break your journey at Versam-Safien. The trains run hourly.
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Maquita,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
Great advice from Roger.
Just a note, if you are traveling on the Bernina Express, you will need a seat reservation. This is independent of your rail ticket or rail pass for the journey. If your date of travel is confirmed, I recommend you purchase your seat reservation soon as these can sell out. (I am reading your trip to be this coming February 2025 and not February 2026).
All explained in our Bernina Express guide below:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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