Disentis/Mustér: Monastery, winter and mountain trails

Disentis/Mustér combines winter sports, hiking trails and cultural history. Depending on whether you want to spend time on the slopes, take a walk or visit the monastery and museums, different sides of the village come to the fore. You can assess the different themes by looking at specific places, route details and seasonal offerings.

Winter sports and seasonal offerings

The Disentis winter sports area extends from 1,227 to 2,833 metres above sea level. There are gentle slopes for beginners at Gendusas, while the slopes on Péz Alv are suited to freeriding. Snowshoe trails lead into quiet side valleys and add to the choice of winter activities. Offerings vary by season; current conditions may be relevant to your plans.

Several activities are also available at the artificial ice rink at the Center da Sport Disentis: ice skating, hockey, curling and ice stock sport. As this is a seasonal facility, it is a good idea to check the operating dates before visiting. When planning, you can then choose between activities in the winter sports area and a visit to the ice rink.

Monastery history and collections

The origins of Disentis Abbey date back to around 700. Sigisbert established a hermitage there with the support of the local Rhaetian, Placidus. The Baroque abbey and church complex was built later, between 1685 and 1704. Disentis is therefore associated with both early monastic history and a much later period of architectural history.

A guided tour of the monastery lasts about an hour and takes visitors to the Placi crypt, to monastic excavations from the 8th century and into the Abbey Church of St. Martin. Public tours take place during the main season; check the current dates if you want to plan a visit. For scheduling, you can easily compare the approximate tour duration with a longer hike.

The monastery museum displays sacred works of art. The oldest altar furnishings, vestments and statues date from around 1200. Another room presents the history of the abbey through early medieval stucco fragments, the first mitre of an abbot of Disentis and a folio volume of Gregorian chant melodies. The collection also includes textiles from the 14th to the 19th century, as well as ethnographic objects related to Christian customs. The collections thus offer insight through different types of objects and historical periods.

The Cristallina Mineral Museum is located in the Cons gymnasium, Via Cons 6, and displays minerals from across the Bündner Oberland. Visitors can bring their own minerals, examine them under a microscope and get help identifying them from museum staff. Even the smallest minerals can be viewed under the microscope. If you want to take advantage of this, confirm the current museum arrangements in advance.

The Stalusa facility explores a different subject: the Cold War and its effects and consequences, through images and text. The Fortezia Stalusa, a mortar fortification built in 1967 during the Cold War, is also located near Disentis. These two attractions give recent history its own place alongside the monastic collections.

Hiking, mountain biking and more travel ideas

The Senda Desertina is a circular route that starts and ends at Disentis railway station. It is 13 kilometres long, takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes and involves 560 metres of ascent. Along the way, it passes Sontga Gada, a Romanesque chapel from the 12th century with old frescoes. The 270-metre-long La Pendenta suspension bridge crosses the Vorderrhein Gorge along the route; from there, you can look 100 metres down into the depths. The Senda Desertina is generally accessible in winter too, although actual conditions may affect access.

For comparison when planning your time: the monastery tour takes about an hour, while the Senda Desertina takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. This gives you a shorter cultural visit and a longer circular hike, both with specific time estimates. The hiking time is a guideline; also factor the elevation gain and prevailing conditions into your plans.

For mountain bikers, the Flow Trail Catrina is another described route: the four-kilometre trail runs from Gendusas to Caischavedra and has an elevation difference of about 300 metres. Operating arrangements may change, so check them before your ride. The Skills Park right next to the Catrina Resort is intended to help riders prepare for more challenging mountain trails.

Fontanivas has a swimming lake, a water playground, a restaurant and plenty of space to relax. Some facilities may be seasonal. Capuns Sursivans are considered a local specialty of Disentis. It is possible to travel by train from Chur to Disentis/Mustér. Check the current timetable for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Segnas, Cavardiras, Waltensburg, Sagens, Sumvitg, Falera, Safien, Tujetsch.

See the overview of the wider region: Surselva.