Malix is a village in the municipality of Churwalden in the canton of Graubünden. It lies about four kilometres as the crow flies south of Chur, on the road to Lenzerheide. The Brambrüesch-Dreibündenstein ski and hiking region is located near Malix; at the same time, the village tells a story of a long history of settlement and craftsmanship. During your stay, you can focus on mountain activities, cultural history or a mix of both.

Mountain Region and Tours

Dreibündenstein, called Term Bel in Romansh, lies in the alpine area of the present-day municipalities of Domat/Ems, Scheid and Malix. It is a summit, a high plateau and a historic boundary point all at once. Landscape and history therefore come together here in a special combination. There are cross-region circular hikes and snowshoe tours at Dreibündenstein. Tour conditions may vary by season, so plan your visit according to the time of year.

One specific hiking option is the “Nature, People and History Route” from Churwalden to Malix. It is 4.8 kilometres long and classified as a moderately difficult themed route. This named route can therefore be distinguished from the general circular hikes and snowshoe tours at Dreibündenstein. Before setting off, check the current route status and conditions for your chosen tour.

Malix in History and Landscape

Malix lay on the historic transit route from Chur to northern Italy. The village was first mentioned in 1149 under the name “Umbilico”. This early mention and its history as a transit route give the village a long-standing historical connection to the route between Chur and the south.

The former extent of the municipal area also helps put the landscape’s connection to Dreibündenstein into context. The area at the time included the left flank of the lower Churwaldnertal, from the valley river Rabiusa to the ridge of the northern spur of the Stätzerhorn range, where Dreibündenstein is located. At 2,282 metres, Windegga was the highest point in this former municipal area.

The former municipal area included the clustered village of Malix on a hillside terrace, the hamlets of Kreuz and Spina, as well as several Maiensässe (seasonal alpine settlements). The term “clustered village” describes a settlement arranged in a group; here, it refers to the layout of the village on the hillside terrace. The historical details thus show both the former extent of the area and the different settlement types that belonged to Malix.

Strassberg Castle and Traditional Craftsmanship

Strassberg Castle was built southeast of the village in the mid-12th century by the Barons of Vaz. The tower and parts of the palas, or great hall, have survived. A public meeting place with a fire pit was created at the castle site, incorporating the old sawmill building. The surviving structures and the present-day meeting place represent different aspects of the site: the medieval complex and the communal use of the space.

Another aspect of local history is the Malix sawmill. According to dendrochronological samples, it dates from 1860. Earlier agriculture has also left its mark: grain was cultivated in Malix from an early date. Field names containing “Acher” and terracing in the landscape point to this cultivation. The names and contours of the land thus tell of a use of the landscape that differs from today’s mountain tours.

Church and Building History

The Reformed Church of Malix was founded in the Middle Ages. Its choir was rebuilt in 1496. Notable features include the semicircular baptismal font with a polygonal credence table, created around 1400. The three dates—the church’s medieval foundation, the rebuilding of the choir and the creation of the baptismal font—make the church a distinct chapter in the village’s history, alongside the castle and sawmill.

Malix therefore suits a range of interests: mountain hikes and snowshoeing opportunities sit alongside historic traces in the village and its landscape. If you would like to combine both, consider the route from Churwalden to Malix as a specific hiking option, and check the tours at Dreibündenstein according to the season and current route status.

Discover more destinations: Castiel, Peist, Tschiertschen, Langwies, Chur, Molinis, Pagig, Churwalden.

For the overview of the wider region: Plessur.