Küblis: Village History and Trails in Prättigau

Küblis lies in central Prättigau, near where the Schanielabach flows into the Landquart. The municipality is part of the Prättigau/Davos region in the canton of Graubünden. Its territory extends to Jägglisch Horn; the highest point, at 2,371 metres, is on the ridge between Jägglisch Horn and Saaser Calanda. Küblis offers several starting points for choosing a destination: trails through the surrounding area, historic buildings and activities for different seasons.

Hiking Trails and Routes Through Küblis

A hiking trail through the old lanes connects Pany, Luzein and Küblis and is now part of the hiking trail network. This makes Küblis part of a route linking the three villages. The Küblis circular trail, in turn, passes through Heldenhof, Pargüetscha, Boden, Stralegg, Unterstrahlegg and Tuss, as well as over the Dalvazza Bridge, before returning to Küblis. The two routes can be distinguished by their courses: one links several villages, while the other passes through named stops on its way back to Küblis.

A walk to Lake Plävingersee is also listed as a leisure activity in Küblis. Together with the trails through the old lanes, this offers a choice between a route through the village and a destination beyond the lanes. Plan your outing according to the conditions on each trail.

In summer, a cycling or mountain-biking route from Landquart towards Klosters and Davos passes through Küblis. This places the village along a longer route, although Küblis is not its endpoint. Check current route conditions before setting out. In winter, the legendary Parsenn descent ends in Küblis: it starts at the summit of Weissfluh, at 2,844 metres, and runs for 12 kilometres with a vertical drop of 2,000 metres to the village. Whether the descent is open depends on snow conditions and ski area operations.

Village Character and Architectural History

A number of original farmhouses and manor houses have been preserved in the old village centre. The Reformed Church of St. Nicholas adds a uniform late Gothic building from the end of the 15th century to this village setting. Its distinctive architectural features include the star vault and the tracery windows in the choir. The nave was vaulted in 1491 by Steffan Klain. The church also houses stained-glass windows depicting the twelve apostles, created by Augusto Giacometti in 1921. The building thus brings together medieval architecture and a work of 20th-century art.

Another historic site is the Kapfenstein castle ruins, also known as Ober-Sansch. They lie above the hamlet of Tälfsch, within the municipality of Küblis. Sections of the southern part of the curtain wall remain several metres high. The ruins are freely accessible and open at all times; nevertheless, check access information before your visit. Küblis is also listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

The Küblis power station adds a different note to the architectural history: the complex dates from 1922 and is described as combining industrial and representative architecture. Together with the Church of St. Nicholas and the ruins, it shows the variety of buildings that form part of the village’s history.

More Activities and Getting There

The publicly accessible Rätikon climbing hall is located right on the main road in Küblis and offers training and courses. If climbing is part of your plans, check the current operating arrangements before your visit. The Tuss picnic area is in a forest clearing near the banks of the Landquart. It has a playground, several barbecue areas and firewood. As local conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before making specific plans.

Küblis railway station has been upgraded to provide barrier-free access and offers good public transport connections. Check the timetable for your travel date. This lets you plan between travelling by public transport and the routes and activities described in the village, without assuming a particular connection or journey time.

For a stay focused on local history, the Church of St. Nicholas, the old village centre and the castle ruins offer different buildings and historical periods. Those who mainly want to spend time outdoors will find walking trails, as well as seasonal options for cycling and skiing. Which of these themes matters most to you depends on whether your trip is centred on culture, hiking or a particular season.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Antönien, Clavadel, Davos Platz, Pragg-Jenaz, Fideris, Arosa, Davos Wolfgang, Grüsch.

Return to the regional travel overview: Prättigau-Davos.