Medels in Rheinwald: Church and Winter Trails

Medels in Rheinwald lies at an altitude of 1,559 metres above sea level and is considered a peaceful village. The church is located at Nü Hus, 7436 Medels in Rheinwald. It was built in 1708 and is protected as a historic monument by the Canton of Graubünden.

Church and Local History

From 1726 to 1886, the church served as the parish church of an independent parish. Medels has its own church within the Evangelical Reformed parish of Rheinwald; services are held in rotation in the churches of the five villages of Hinterrhein, Nufenen, Medels, Splügen, and Sufers. The church tower has a tent roof and is situated on the hillside; this position helps protect the entrance area from avalanches or snow slides. The interior includes a pulpit without a sounding board and a baptismal and communion table in the middle of the choir. The year it was built, its former role as a parish church, and its architectural details all offer different ways to explore the history of the church and the village.

The local history includes both Medels’ original use as alpine pastureland by Romans from Schams and its settlement by the Walser people. The “From Wandering to Settling” themed stop is located in Medels. Walser history includes the migration of the Walser people from Val Formazza in Piedmont, across the San Bernardino Pass and into Rheinwald. Another themed stop explores the historical winter transport of goods on ox-drawn sled tracks in Splügen, Sufers, and Medels. The history of settlement and winter transport of goods thus offer different historical perspectives.

Cross-Country Skiing and Winter Hiking

The Rheinwald-Medelserloipe is 12 kilometres long and offers views of Guggernüll and Einshorn, as well as the winter landscape along the young Rhine. The Rheinwald-Talloipe follows a circular route between Splügen and Nufenen, passing through Medels. It follows the banks of the Hinterrhein through open woodland and broad, open spaces. The trails can be distinguished by different features: a specific length is given for the Medelserloipe, while the Talloipe can be described by its circular route and riverside scenery.

Another option is the 11-kilometre winter hiking route “Valley Walk (Splügen–Medels–Nufenen–Hinterrhein).” It leads from Splügen to Hinterrhein, passing through Medels by the church and continuing towards Nufenen. Unlike the cross-country ski trails, this hiking route combines a stated length with a route from Splügen to Hinterrhein. If you are mainly comparing distances when planning, you can directly compare the 11 kilometres of the winter hike with the 12 kilometres of the Rheinwald-Medelserloipe; by contrast, the Talloipe is described by its circular route and the path along the Hinterrhein.

Routes and Getting There

The Rheinwald Route leads from Nufenen along the left bank of the river, via Medels, and back to Splügen. Medels can also be reached by PostBus, as can Splügen, Nufenen, and Hinterrhein. For travel planning, both a route through the village and access to several villages in Rheinwald are relevant. At selected village fountains in Rheinwald, the Rheinquellwege provide information about Medels. Together with the church, Walser history, and winter trails, these topics offer different ways to get a sense of Medels as a travel destination.

For the broader travel overview: Splügen.