Carrera: Landscape, History and Hiking Trails

Explore Carrera through its landscape and several hiking and cycling routes. Historical connections, paths through the surrounding area and a special view of the landscape terrace offer different starting points for planning a stay.

Landscape and History of Carrera

Carrera lies on a terrace whose formation is attributed to a damming caused by the Flims rockslide. The clear transitions between the settlement and the surrounding landscape, as well as the hamlet’s setting on the terrace, create a picturesque village scene when viewed from a distance. Dry grasslands and pastures are also part of the landscape: Carrera is listed as site no. 9515 in the Swiss Federal Inventory of Dry Grasslands and Pastures of National Importance.

The history of the village dates back to the medieval lordship of Valendas. Until the first half of the 17th century, Carrera belonged to this lordship as a farm. The historical context and the geological formation of the terrace tell of different periods: one concerns the formation of the landscape, while the other concerns Carrera’s former affiliation with Valendas.

Hikes Starting in and Passing Through Carrera

The Carrera–Versam hike is listed as taking around 4 hours and 30 minutes and covering 13.2 kilometres, with 854 metres of ascent and 803 metres of descent. Valendas and Carrera are named as starting points; the route passes through Brün, Imschlacht, Calörtsch, Arezen and Fahn before reaching Versam. From Carrera to Brün, after leaving the settlement, it runs mostly along a hiking trail. Short sections follow the road.

Another option is the Rheinschlucht/Ruinaulta circular hike starting from Versam. It leads from Versam railway station through pine forests and along gravel banks to the turn-off for Carrera. The path then climbs to the hamlet and returns to Versam through woodland and across pastures. If you are travelling by public transport, Versam-Safien station is a recommended starting point for this circular hike. Check the current timetable in advance.

The faszinaturWeg Rheinschlucht has seven stations, including one about the Carrerabach stream. On the way back to Valendas, the circular trail follows the Rhine and the Carrerabach. Another route, the Trin Mulin–Ruinaulta–Valendas hike, follows the climb via Isla at the Carrera gorge back along the river and the RhB tracks to Valendas station. You can stop at any time; the return journey is possible by Rhaetian Railway. Check the current timetable for your return journey.

Cycling Routes and Downhill Trails

Several cycling routes also pass through Carrera or the area around the hamlet. Shortly after Carrera, the third stage of the Trans Grischun turns onto the road to Brün and continues uphill to Imschlacht. The first stage of the four-day Surselva e-bike circuit runs through Valendas Dorf, Carrera, Versam, Safien Platz and Safien Thalkirch. Carrera is therefore part of a longer sequence of stages passing through several villages.

The T 08 Via Francisca route from Bonaduz to Ilanz passes through Carrera and Carreratobel, then continues to Valendas. Route 257 Calörtsch offers several trail options on the descent from Imschlacht to Carrera. Route conditions, trail options and difficulty ratings may change. Check current conditions before setting out.

Waterways and a Place to Take a Break

The faszinaturWeg circular trail links its station about the Carrerabach with the return route along the stream and the Rhine to Valendas. Camping Carrera is a starting point for canoe trips through the Rhine Gorge. In this way, paths by the water complement the hiking and cycling routes as another way to experience the area.

The Isla, Carrera picnic and barbecue area is at the edge of the forest, right beside the hiking trail between Versam and Valendas. It is a place for picnics and barbecues. From there, you have a beautiful view of the Carrera river delta and the surrounding mountains. Conditions at the barbecue area may vary seasonally; check them before your visit.

For the wider travel overview: Valendas.