Mastrils – Rhine floodplains, Pizalun and historic sites

Mastrils brings together the Rhine landscape, hiking destinations on Pizalun, a distinctive floodplain landscape and places with a long history. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether you mainly want to stroll through natural areas, take a challenging hike, or explore local cultural and winter sports offerings.

Rhine floodplains and the landscape around Mastrils

The Mastrils Rhine floodplains are the only remaining floodplains between Reichenau and Lake Constance. Since 2009, more than 90 different bird species have been recorded there. On a walk through the green floodplain forest, you may spot rare orchids and butterfly species. This gives the area its own natural setting along the Rhine, clearly distinct from the steep hiking destinations on the slopes.

The settlement pattern is distinctive, too: houses are scattered across the slope rather than forming a compact village centre. The hamlet of Isla lies directly on the banks of the Rhine. Mastrils is on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the confluence with the Landquart. The area of the former political municipality stretched from the Rhine at the foot of the slope to the ridge of the Calanda massif. Near Zweierspitz lies its highest point, at 1,825 metres above sea level. To the north, the terrain gradually descends via Chimmispitz, at 1,813 metres, and Pizalun, at 1,478 metres.

Hiking and climbing on Pizalun

Pizalun is a striking rock formation and forms a boundary between Graubünden and St. Gallen. Its rock tower is about 20 metres high. The final ascent is via a vertical iron ladder and is recommended only for people who are not afraid of heights. Check the conditions for this section before setting out, and take the ladder into account when planning your route.

A challenging, steep hiking route leads from Mastrils Tretsch via Jägeri, Pizalun and Furggels to Pfäfers Dorf. The route connects several named waypoints, making it a different kind of outing from a walk through the Rhine floodplains. No duration is specified in this route description. If you are planning a longer hike, you can use its challenging nature and sequence of stages as a guide.

At the foot of Pizalun, above Nussloch, lies Rappenfluh, a climbing wall accessible from the Piz Alun restaurant in Mastrils. Climbers still visit it frequently today. Alongside the ascent to the rock tower, hiking and climbing are therefore distinct activities to consider in the Pizalun area.

Winter sports and seasonal offerings

The Mastrils ski lift is just under 1,000 metres long and runs mostly along the edge of the forest or through the forest, from 720 to 940 metres above sea level. The pistes are machine-groomed using a Kässbohrer PistenBully PB270 with a tiller. The lift is described as a family-friendly ski area in the Bündner Rheintal. Winter sports thus add a seasonal option to the hiking and nature activities.

At the bottom station, there is a ski hut where food is available, as well as a ski room. During the season, skis and snowboards can be stored there free of charge. As operations and services may vary by season, check the current conditions before visiting.

Church and the history of crossing the Rhine

The Catholic parish church of Mastrils stands on Chilchabüel and was built between 1686 and 1688. It is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and is a place of pilgrimage. Its location and long history offer a cultural perspective on the village.

Another historical point of interest is the Tardisbrücke restaurant. The building dates from the period when tolls were charged for crossing the Rhine at a bridge. The bridge was first built in 1529 and was rebuilt several times after floods. The Rhine floodplains, the paths on Pizalun and historic sites like these show different sides of Mastrils, without requiring them to be combined into a single itinerary.

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

Back to the regional travel overview: Landquart.