Schluein: Hiking and Culture in the Surselva

Schluein, formerly known as Schleuis, is located in the Surselva region of the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The village combines a circular hike through the landscape along the Vorderrhein with a history that can be traced through its mills, castle and church. Two perspectives are especially useful when planning a stay: the Auenweg 656.2, a hike with a specified distance, and Schluein as a stop on a multi-day e-bike tour.

Hiking along the Vorderrhein

The Auenweg 656.2 is a circular hike starting in Ilanz. It runs via Castrisch and Valendas-Sagogn railway station to Schluein, and continues to Sagogn. Along the Vorderrhein, the trail passes through floodplain forests and nature reserves. Ilanz is the starting point; the route via Castrisch and Schluein shows where the village lies on this loop.

The loop is 16.7 kilometres long, with a walking time of about five hours. Trail conditions can affect the actual duration, so this time should be understood as an estimate. This gives you a concrete framework for planning your day: you can coordinate the estimated walking time with the other plans for your stay.

Two types of trip with different durations

The four-day Surselva circular tour by e-bike includes a stage through Schluein. This makes the connection with the village different from that of the circular hike starting in Ilanz: the Auenweg is a hike with a stated distance and approximate time requirement, while the e-bike tour is a stage within a multi-day trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Schluein, this distinction can help you place your stay within your travel plans.

Mills, castle and Baroque church

Mulin Sura, also known as the Upper Mill, is a preserved mill built around 1600. Around 1600, it belonged to Löwenberg Castle and ground barley and millet. The mill was also used to pound these grains. Löwenberg Castle stands above the village. Today, artists, young entrepreneurs and co-working spaces share the same roof there.

Another mill, the Lower Mill, stood below the main road. From the 19th century, an additional waterwheel powered a saw there; the saw was dismantled around 1950. The two mills are thus associated with different periods in the village’s history: Mulin Sura dates to around 1600, while the saw at the Lower Mill operated from the 19th century.

The present-day Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul was built between 1710 and 1716 to plans by master builder Battiast Pedazi and was consecrated on 7 September 1716. The vault paintings were created in 1715 by Jacob Soliva of Trun. In chronological terms, the church came later than Mulin Sura, built around 1600: its construction and paintings date to the early 18th century.

Elevation and municipal area

Schluein lies at an elevation of about 762 metres above sea level. The municipality extends from 671 to 1,374 metres. The village’s elevation and the range across the municipal area refer to two different scales and provide a brief geographical overview.

Discover more destinations: Tujetsch, Siat, Vignogn, Andiast, Obersaxen, Disentis/Mustér, Cumbels, Breil-Brigels

Back to the main travel overview: Surselva.