Wiesen is a Walser village on a sunny terrace at an altitude of 1,450 metres between Davos and Lenzerheide. Walser history, railway construction, and trails for walking or mountain biking offer different ways to shape your trip. When planning, pay particular attention to the respective starting points, time estimates, and seasonal conditions.
Walser culture and village history
The Church of Wiesen features a richly painted Gothic flat ceiling with two coats of arms as a distinctive architectural detail. Richard Coray is buried in the church cemetery. In 1908, he built the falsework for the Wiesner Viaduct on behalf of the Rhaetian Railway. This distinguishes two dates in the construction history: Coray’s falsework was built in 1908, while the viaduct itself is a structure of the Rhaetian Railway dating from 1909.
The Wiesen Village Museum also explores life in the village in earlier times. It is housed in a historic residential building with a farmhouse parlour, rooms, a kitchen, and a weaving room, and shows how earlier generations lived simply. The rooms give the subject a tangible setting: rather than just reading about a past way of life, you encounter it through the different areas of a house. This complements the history of the church and railway with insights into everyday life.
The Wiesner Viaduct and its history
The Wiesner Viaduct is 88 metres high and 210 metres long. The Sky Walk allows pedestrians to cross the structure on a footbridge running parallel to the railway line, with views along the way. The viaduct can be reached from Wiesen station via a secured footpath. For planning purposes, two different routes are therefore relevant: the path to the structure and the crossing on the footbridge.
A seasonal guided tour across the viaduct starts at Davos Wiesen station. It covers the construction of the structure, as well as the history and construction of the Davos–Filisur railway line. Dates may change, so check them in advance if you plan to include the tour in your stay. Those especially interested in railway construction can connect the tour’s subject matter with the Wiesner Viaduct and Richard Coray’s contribution, while keeping the different historical dates distinct.
Hikes and trails in the surrounding area
The trails differ considerably in their starting points and the time they take. The Alter ZĂĽgenweg is a 12-kilometre one-way hike from Glaris station to Wiesen station and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Seasonal or weather-related closures are possible. Another hiking route leads through the ZĂĽgenschlucht gorge and along the Landwasser to Davos Wiesen station.
Another hike leads from Wiesen station through larch, pine, and spruce forest to Schönboden in Filisur. Lady’s-slipper orchids bloom along the trail in spring. If you are interested in a longer excursion in a natural setting, the «In den Zügen» nature forest reserve can be reached on foot from Wiesen in about 1½ to 2 hours. The path runs along a sculpture park; check trail conditions before setting out. The reserve lies within the municipality of Davos, southwest of Schmelzboden in the Zügenschlucht gorge.
Wiesner Alp offers a different experience. At 1,940 metres, it is one of the most significant Alpine settlements in GraubĂĽnden. Its centuries-old huts in the Walser style include barns and haylofts. The alp can be reached from Davos Wiesen on foot or by mountain bike. The Wiesner Alp circuit for e-mountain bikes starts and ends in Davos Wiesen, passing through Wiesner Alp, Bleika, Plantschtobel, MĂĽlitobel, Saga, and Boda. Check route conditions and seasonal access before setting out.
Winter activities and practical information
The Boda high plateau has a circular cross-country ski trail for both skating and classic techniques. The Boda-Rundweg winter hiking trail runs alongside the ski trail and takes about 30 minutes. You can choose between a short winter walk and cross-country skiing; snow and grooming conditions may vary, as may conditions on the winter hiking trail. The Swiss Ski School Wiesen offers private and group lessons in Wiesen and at Rinerhorn. This offer is seasonal.
Davos Wiesen station is unstaffed and has ticket and Venda vending machines. The Zügä Beizli, a kiosk and restaurant, is located right by the station. If you are considering Wiesen as a base for your trip, you can compare excursions by their specific starting points and time estimates: hikes starting at the station, the one-way route from Glaris, trails to Wiesner Alp, or the seasonal activities on Boda.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Surava, Vaz/Obervaz, Tinizong-Rona, Mutten, Stierva, Tiefencastel, BergĂĽn, Marmorera.
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