Rheinwald-Medelserloipe

Although the Romans already used the pass routes via Splügen and San Bernardino, the Rhine Forest was only sparsely populated until the High Middle Ages. The Walser settled here in the 13th century. Their language and culture still characterize the valley today. In Splügen, tanned Walser houses
stand right next to Italian-style palazzi made of stone. The old Grisons pass village is therefore classified as a site of national importance by the Swiss Heritage Society; Splügen was awarded the Wakker Prize in 1995.

The Medels cross-country ski trail starts at the edge of the village near the cross-country ski center. It leads through open, uphill terrain to Medels. The small scattered settlement has fewer than 40 inhabitants. Originally used as an alpine pasture by the Romans from Schams, Medels was also settled by the Walser people. At Medels, the trail leads down to the valley floor. After a short
loop at the foot of Guggernüll, it runs along the right bank of the Rhine through sparse forest back to Splügen.

The panoramic cross-country skiing fun on the Hinterrhein would almost not have been possible: In the 1940s, the people of the Rheinwald successfully fought against a dam project with a 700-metre-long and 150-metre-high dam wall at the Splügen castle ruins. If they had lost the battle back then, Splügen and the lower part of the farming village of Medels, including the church, would be under water today.

Cross-country ski pass

• Day pass CHF 10.00
• Weekly pass CHF 40.00
• Season pass Rheinwald/Avers CHF 100.00
• Swiss cross-country ski pass CHF 160.00

Where to buy a cross-country ski pass

• Online
• Ticket machines
• Guest information Splügen
• Kiosk cross-country center
• Splügen Sport (Splügen cable car valley station)

Cross-country skiing in the evening
The following rules apply to ensure optimum trail preparation and to allow our wildlife to rest.

• Evening cross-country skiing is only possible on the valley trail
• Entire valley trail (Splügen - Nufenen 13km)
  • Tuesday until 22:00
  • Thursday until 22:00
• Small loop (Erla-Camping, training trail 1.5km)
  • daily until 22:00

The trail is not specially prepared for evening cross-country skiing and is not illuminated. So take your flashlight with you.

The Tambo panoramic trail on the Tanatzhöhi (skating only) offers a wonderful view and is a welcome change from the trails in the valley.

Splügen - Medels - Tamboboden - Splügen
The route is only signposted in one direction: Splügen–Medels–Tanzboden–Splügen.