Discover Ilanz: Old Town, Via Glion and the Rhine Gorge

When looking for hotels in Ilanz, the focus of your trip can help you choose your destination: in Ilanz, historic buildings, cultural offerings and trails take centre stage. The Via Glion leads around and through the town; the Rhine Gorge can also be explored in various ways. This lets you include culture and outdoor activities in your travel plans.

The Rhine Gorge and trails around Ilanz

The Rhine Gorge stretches for around 13 kilometres between Ilanz and Reichenau and reaches depths of up to 400 metres in some places. You can explore it on foot, by bike or by train. For Route 656 Trans Ruinaulta, you can shorten the journey by taking the Rhaetian Railway or the Rhine Gorge/Ruinaulta bus. Check the timetables for your chosen connection when planning your trip.

The Via Glion offers a different perspective: the route, around 75 kilometres long, passes through all 13 districts of the municipality of Ilanz/Glion and includes seven stages around and through Ilanz. Information boards along the way provide insights into the history, culture and distinctive features of the places. QR codes activate audio guides about places, buildings and people along the route. The Via Glion thus brings together a range of themes, while the Trans Ruinaulta can be shortened using the transport options mentioned above.

Old Town and architectural history

Ilanz’s Old Town combines history and culture with a lively urban atmosphere. A walking tour begins at Landsgemeindeplatz and then leads straight into the Städtli. The ground floor of the Obertor, known in Romansh as Porta Sura, dates from 1513 and is the actual entrance to the town. The upper section of the Obertor was built in 1717 and displays the coats of arms of the Three Leagues.

The Ecktürmli and its loopholes are also part of the Baroque fortifications, which were built between 1715 and 1717. In the late Gothic Church of St. Margarethen, notable features include richly painted panels with early Renaissance motifs and a distinctive depiction of the Dance of Death. The religious disputation held in the church in 1526 preceded Ilanz’s conversion to the Reformed faith.

Culture and history in town

The Regiunal Surselva Museum offers insights into the region’s history, crafts and traditions. All exhibition rooms and the ground-floor sanitary facilities are wheelchair accessible. Individual opening hours and guided tours can be arranged for groups. If you are planning a group visit, confirm the arrangements with the museum in advance.

Cinema Sil Plaz is housed in a converted old forge in the centre of Ilanz. It has a bar, a stage for concerts and cabaret, and a cinema auditorium. Its programme includes films, concerts, cabaret and literature, and changes over time. Ilanz also has a distinctive technical landmark: the oxygen plant is the last surviving facility of its kind in Switzerland.

Outdoor activities and recreation

At Paradiswäldli, you’ll find a forest education trail for the whole family and a Vita Parcours fitness trail. The Balance Kreuz consists of four exercises that intersect in the middle, each with several levels of difficulty. The activity area also includes a barefoot path with a range of natural materials. Use of the boccia court is free. The municipality provides a set of balls; ask locally whether it is available.

The pump track and skate park in the Fontanivas area covers around 1,500 square metres, is next to the swimming pool and meets Union Cycliste Internationale standards. The pump track is suitable for young children with balance bikes, teenagers with scooters or skateboards, adults with bicycles and families. It complements the quieter trails in Paradiswäldli with activities for different age groups and modes of transport.

Market and getting there

The Ilanz weekly market offers fresh local products sold directly by the producers. Visitors can also chat with local farmers there. Ilanz is accessible by Rhaetian Railway from both Chur and Disentis/Mustér. This lets you weigh up culture, trails and the natural landscape as different focal points for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Falera, Schnaus, Vignogn, Rueun, Castrisch, Laax, Sagens, Disentis/Mustér.

View the regional travel overview: Surselva.