Heidiland

The Pizol region is high up: from Bad Ragaz and Wangs, gondola and chair lifts take you to the popular hiking and skiing area at an altitude of over 2200 metres. The Pizol lifts provide access to over 100 km of hiking trails. The classic is the 5-lake hike, which takes you through the alpine landscape to five crystal-clear mountain lakes.

Easier, but no less scenic, is the Panorama Höhenweg between the Laufböden and Pizolhütte mountain stations. The new Edelweiss Trail is lined with eight steles with interesting facts about the rare plant and rustic alpine herbs.

There is certainly no shortage of alternatives: take the multimedia Garmil hike, visit the Wangsersee and Viltersersee lakes on the 2-lake hike and discover the adventurous Heidipfad with the kids.

High above Lake Walen is the largest summer and winter sports area between Zurich and Chur. The mountain railways take you stress-free to the summit of the Maschgenkamm (2020 m) with a panoramic view of Lake Walen, the Churfirsten peaks and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sardona.

One of the hiking classes in the Walensee region is the "Maschgenkamm".

One of the hiking classics is the challenging 7-summit tour, which highlights 14 lakes and the alpine backdrop of the Bündner, Glarus and Central Swiss Alps. You can gain an insight into the formation of the Alps on the GeoGallery, while you enjoy the diversity of Alpine flora on the beautiful plateaus to the Spitzmeilenhütte. Places of power accompany you on the route of wonder to the three lakes of Seebenalp.

First and foremost, however, the Flumserberg is known for lots of action: the BikerBerg has 13 km of easy to moderately difficult trails to offer, but there are also signposted routes through the Flumserberg area, such as the Flumserberg-Panoramabike No. 470 tour. The CLiiMBER climbing tower and the FLOOMZER toboggan run offer challenge and lots of fun for families. Things are quieter on the Legends Trail, where the little ones accompany Heidi and Peter.

It is not for nothing that the Walensee region against the backdrop of the Churfirsten mountains is affectionately known as the Riviera of Eastern Switzerland. The Mediterranean flair is particularly noticeable in the car-free wine village of Quinten, where the mild climate allows kiwis, figs, lemons and wine to flourish. From Weesen or Walenstadt you hike along the shore of the fjord-like lake to Quinten, and return by boat.

Naturally, you can also enjoy a wine tour in Quinten.

Of course, it is also worth making a detour from Betlis to the Seerenbachfällen and the Rinquelle. The three Murg lakes are true pearls of beauty. Water pools and ponds, rocky outcrops and ancient stone pines make the hike there an experience. By the way: Murg is home to the largest stand of sweet chestnut trees north of the Alps.

Of course, you can also spend a leisurely day on the beach or venture out on the water with a stand-up paddle. A whole play experience has been created for younger visitors: There are six themed playgrounds around the lake, connected by a legend and the ship.

Maienfeld in the Bündner Herrschaft is home to the most famous girl from the Swiss mountains. On the Heidi adventure trails you can get up close to the children's book heroine and discover the original settings of the world-famous story.

Besides Heidi, everything in the Bündner Herrschaft revolves around wine: the sun-kissed „Burgundy of Switzerland“ is famous for its Pinot Noir. The wine trails lead you through the vineyards, into idyllic winegrowers' villages and directly to the wineries, where you can taste the wines…

The Malanser Älplibahn is a record-breaker: the smallest mountain railway in Graubünden is operated exclusively by volunteers. Reserve your ticket in good time! Once you have arrived at the mountain station at 1801 m, you are spoilt for choice: should it be an ascent to the Vilan summit, to the Zuckerstock or a power-place hike around the Malanser Älpli?