Fanas: Flower Trail, Mountain Panorama and Village History

Fanas is a village in the Vorderprättigau region of the canton of Graubünden. It lies on a terrace on the northern side of the Vorderprättigau, on the mountainside about 300 metres above the valley floor. The mountain panorama includes the 2,394-metre-high Girenspitz and the Sassauna ridge in the foreground, which shapes the view from the village. The Girenspitz forms the northeastern end of the Salginatobel gorge.

Take the cable car into the mountains

The Fanas cable car takes visitors to the Maiensäss Eggli, at 1,700 metres above sea level, in 13 minutes, year-round. Check the timetable and availability before travelling. From the mountain station, the ascent to the 2,307-metre-high Sassauna crosses meadows rich in alpine flora. The ascent is listed as taking about an hour and a half; alpine conditions can vary depending on the season.

The Fanas Flower Trail offers a shorter option: this easy circular walk is 1.9 kilometres long, takes about an hour and includes 70 metres of ascent and descent. It starts and ends at the cable car’s mountain station. More than 30 flowers along the trail are marked and described; flowering times are seasonal. When comparing the stated times, note that these are different routes: the Flower Trail is a circular walk, while the hour and a half refers to the ascent to Sassauna.

Hiking and finding your way along the trail

The hiking trails in Fanas follow natural paths. Expect wet patches during and after rain; sturdy, high-cut hiking boots are recommended. A hiking route from Seewis to Fanas crosses the Taschinasbach, passes two steep stairways and the Geissrügg forest clearing, then follows the Munt-Tobel to the sunny terrace of Fanas. At Kohlplatz, fire pits and benches invite you to take a break. Water levels in the Taschinasbach can be high after the snow melts or heavy rain.

Another route follows the shortest descent from Cania to Fanas through a moorland area of regional importance. About halfway along, near Cania, there is a rest area with a fountain and barbecue. The Swiss Family fire pit maintained by the municipality of Fanas is about 15 minutes from the village; firewood is provided at the site.

Please also observe the seasonal rule in the Fanas wildlife sanctuary: from 1 February to 30 April, you may enter the marked areas only on the paths; leaving the paths is prohibited. Check the latest local notices before setting out.

Village centre, architecture and local history

In the old, densely built-up village centre, the church, dating from 1755, towers above the houses. The village square is defined by three stately houses dating from 1677, 1726 and 1761. The Old Sawmill adds to this glimpse into local history: it was first mentioned in writing in a register on 14 June 1833. During the extensive renovation in 1989, its 1916 turbine drive was retained in working order.

Another chapter in the village’s history extends beyond Graubünden. In 1855, the municipality of Fanas organised a large-scale emigration to Brazil. Fifty people answered the call, led by teacher Thomas Davatz. Along with the church, village square and sawmill, this episode reveals other facets of Fanas’s local history.

Paragliding in Fanas

Fanas is considered a versatile paragliding area with excellent thermals. Cross-country flights to the Arlberg, Innsbruck and Bolzano, as well as to Liechtenstein and the Rhine Valley, are possible. Flight options depend on the weather and local safety rules.

Discover more destinations: Landquart Fabriken, Says, Jenins, Zizers, Igis, Malans, Untervaz, Maienfeld.

Return to the main travel overview: Landquart.