Parpan combines striking architectural history with insights into Graubünden craftsmanship and a range of outdoor activities. The Reformed Church and the Schlössli add cultural highlights, while the alpine cheese dairy, show dairy and dried-meat workshop showcase local food production. In summer, hiking and mountain biking take centre stage; in winter, activities include cross-country skiing, ice skating and downhill skiing. When planning your trip to Parpan, you can decide whether to focus more on culture and cuisine, a particular route or activities in the snow.
Church, tower and Schlössli
The Reformed Church in Parpan was built after 1489. It is a Late Gothic complex with a polygonal choir. Its tower was rebuilt in 1633; unarticulated and topped with a tent roof, it stands on a small hill west of the church. The church and tower offer different architectural details to look out for as you explore the village’s history.
The Schlössli also tells the story of several building phases. It was built in the mid-16th century for the Hartmann von Hartmannis family. From 1603, it belonged to the Buol family, who had the building extended in 1675. Decorative murals by Hans Ardüser, dating from 1591, have been preserved inside. In the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property Protection, as of 1 January 2026, the Schlössli is listed as a Category A cultural property. Its architectural history, extension and murals give a visit a different focus from the Late Gothic church.
Cheese and GraubĂĽnden dried meat
At the Parpan alpine cheese dairy, cheesemaking and a glimpse inside an older building go hand in hand: it is housed in the old cowshed of the Plantahof Alpine farm, a building more than 100 years old. Visitors can look into the dairy and cheese cellar through large windows and watch the cheesemaker at work. The finished cheese can be sampled on site. Groups can arrange a tour with a presentation and tasting in advance.
The Tschugga show dairy in Parpan offers another way to discover cheese. Under expert guidance, you can make your own cheese and sample it as it is being made. The cheese you make yourself is sent to participants by post after three weeks. If you would rather see how a product is made from its raw ingredients, you can visit the alpine cheese dairy; at Tschugga, making your own cheese is the focus.
The Brügger family’s dried-meat workshop is also open to visitors. A visit combines stories about a craft passed down through generations with a tasting of Graubünden dried-meat specialities. The family’s history in Parpan has been closely connected with the production of Bündnerfleisch for four generations. Guided tours can be booked for groups of 12 to 40 people. This gives you the choice between an insight into cheesemaking and a visit focused on dried meat.
Hiking, cross-country skiing and winter activities
In summer, Parpan is a starting point for hikes and mountain bike tours. The Mittelberg Trail is a circular hike of around seven kilometres, starting at the village square in Ried, Parpan. It climbs along Oberbergstrasse to Tschuggen, then descends to the old Maiensäss settlement in Mittelberg. Another hiking option is the Parpan–Joch–Tschiertschen route, which starts at the Parpan Dorf bus stop and heads north via Tschuggen, Oberberg and Capätsch.
The section over Churer Joch offers views of the Chur Rhine Valley, the Schanfigg and the area around Lenzerheide. The two hikes thus differ both in their routes and in the landscapes described: the Mittelberg Trail is a loop leading to the Maiensäss settlement, while the route over the Joch continues towards Tschiertschen.
In winter, the holiday region’s network of cross-country ski trails runs right through Parpan. The Parpan-Capfeders trail starts and ends at the Parpan cross-country skiing centre and is well suited to fit, experienced skiers. You can also go ice skating on Parpan’s natural ice rink; the toboggan run is about 1.5 kilometres long. There are two lifts to choose from for downhill skiing: the Proschieri ski lift is within walking distance of Parpan and leads directly to a ski run. The Heimberg chairlift is also within walking distance and takes visitors to over 2,000 metres above sea level in just a few minutes. There are 225 kilometres of ski runs in the area around Parpan in winter.
Discover more destinations: Praden, LitzirĂĽti, Sankt Peter, Molinis, Peist, Pagig, Tschiertschen, Churwalden.
Return to the regional travel overview: Plessur.
