The Eichwald nature trail reveals a special side of Tamins: its dry grassland, of national importance, is a habitat for rare and endangered animal and plant species adapted to nutrient-poor conditions. Nineteen themed panels explore how the area around Eichwald was formed and its diverse habitats. The walk takes about two hours and is accessible year-round; seasonal conditions may affect individual sections of the path. The route is also suitable for small children.
Landscape between Eichwald and Kunkel Pass
Tamins lies about 10 kilometres west of Chur in the Imboden region of the canton of Graubünden. The municipality extends north over Kunkel Pass into the Tamina Valley and reaches high-alpine terrain. At over 3,200 metres, Ringelspitz is the highest point; the SAC Ringelspitz Hut adds to the municipality’s alpine character. The landscape around Kunkel Pass is part of the Sardona Tectonic Arena, whose World Heritage area vividly illustrates mountain formation through continental collision. The municipality of Tamins has also set up an exhibition room at the pass.
Above Tamins, Benis Boden lies on the southern slope of Kunkels. The climate there is almost Mediterranean, and lizards and snakes can be spotted. From the picnic area, the view stretches across Domat/Ems, Bonaduz and Rhäzüns. As access and facilities may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting.
Hikes to suit different time budgets
The Ringelspitz Hut circuit starts in Tamins and leads via Grossalp, Kunkel Pass and Foppaloch before returning. A SAC hut hike from Tamins to the Ringelspitz Hut goes through the Lavoitobel gorge along the Lavoibach stream and crosses the stream via a bridge. Deer, roe deer, chamois and many bird species live in the Lavoitobel gorge. Allow for trail conditions when planning these hikes, as route details may change depending on conditions along the way.
The Graubünden Way of St. James also offers a different perspective on the surrounding area. From Tamins village square, the stage climbs to a valley terrace with wide views of Bonaduz, Rhäzüns, the narrow valley entrance to Domleschg and the Rhine Gorge canyon. The stage from Tamins is listed as 5 kilometres and 1 hour 25 minutes; its technical and fitness difficulty is easy, and the stated season runs from May to October. The route and seasonal recommendations may change.
If you have more time for a longer circuit, another option runs between Reichenau-Tamins and the Rhine Gorge: the circular route is 12 kilometres long and listed as taking 3 hours 20 minutes. Taking the train back from Trin station is part of this route option; check the current timetable in advance. The different distance and duration figures can help you tailor your hike to the time available.
Churches, history and Reichenau
The Reformed Church of Tamins was first mentioned in 1459 and rebuilt in 1494. Its choir has a tuff-stone rib vault in the shape of an asymmetrical star spanning two bays; the polygonal pulpit dates from 1730. Another historical memory links Tamins to the church on the rock above the village: it was the only building to survive the fire of 1799, when French troops burned Tamins down. Finds suggest that the mule track over Kunkel Pass was already in use in Roman times.
In Reichenau, a locality in the municipality of Tamins, the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein rivers meet beneath the castle rock to form the Rhine. Reichenau Castle was built in the 17th century by the episcopal ministerial family Schauenstein and is now used as a winery by the von Tscharner family. Finds from a Late Neolithic settlement dating to the 3rd millennium BC were also discovered at the foot of the Crestis hilltop plateau southwest of Tamins village. They include pottery and stone and bone artefacts. The municipality thus brings together alpine landscapes, trails and very different historical traces, without requiring them to form a single excursion itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Flims, Trin, Bonaduz, Domat/Ems, Rhäzüns.
Back to the main travel overview: Imboden.
