A moderately difficult 3.2-kilometre cross-country skiing loop starts and ends at the schoolhouse in Flond; the Flond–Valata winter hike also starts there. To help you choose accommodation, start with a practical question: would you like to spend your winter day on the ski trail or on the longer hiking route, and would you also like to explore the village’s history?
Village history and cultural heritage
Flond is a village in the municipality of Obersaxen Mundaun in the canton of Graubünden. It lies at an altitude of 1,072 metres. The former municipal area is recorded as having an altitude range of 879 to 1,335 metres. The area’s agricultural character is reflected in different periods: until the middle of the 20th century, arable farming was widespread; in more recent times, livestock farming has played an important role.
Flond’s Reformation history is linked to Ilanz. The village adopted the Reformation in 1526, built its own church in 1713, and separated from the church in 1731. At the Evangelical Church of Flond, historical significance meets distinctive architecture: the nave leads into a narrower, polygonal choir, which opens through a round arch. The tower, topped by a tall octagonal spire, stands on the south side of the choir. The church also contains a monumental wall fresco by Leonhard Meisser (1902–1977), an artist from Chur.
Another cultural venue is the MiraCheu Gallery, a permanent exhibition space run by Samuel Inauen in the old sawmill at the western end of the village. The exhibition programme may change. The history of the former municipal area also extends beyond the village: the last of six lime kilns along the old path between Flond and Ilanz was in operation until 1906; it was restored in 1990. These sites offer different insights into Flond, from church architecture and art to earlier forms of work.
Winter routes of varying lengths
The Plaun Sura cross-country ski trail is a moderately difficult 3.2-kilometre loop. It runs through gently undulating terrain and, like the winter hike, starts at the schoolhouse. The loop also ends there. Seasonal snow conditions may affect whether it is usable, so check the latest conditions before adding it to your plans.
The Flond–Valata winter hike is 6.9 kilometres long, with 220 metres of ascent and 171 metres of descent. From the schoolhouse, it passes through a stretch of forest to Valata and by the Chapel of St Anna. The trail then climbs briefly towards Surcuolm and leads back to Flond via Clavaniev. Compared with the 3.2-kilometre ski trail, the hike is 3.7 kilometres longer and has a stated elevation profile. This makes it easy to choose between the two tours based on the distance and activity you prefer.
Another winter route is the Cuolm Sura–Ilanz sledging run, which passes through Flond on its way to Ilanz; operation depends on snow conditions. On the Piz Mundaun–Ilanz route, signposted options between Cuolm Sura and Flond are marked as blue, red or black, according to difficulty. The route and conditions may change, so it is worth checking the latest route information beforehand.
Flond can be reached by PostBus for the winter hike. If you are planning this journey, check the timetable for your travel date. The cross-country ski trail and winter hike both start at the schoolhouse, providing a shared reference point for planning your day; you can choose your overnight stay to suit your plans for hiking, skiing or sledging.
Accommodation and trip planning
If a particular tour is the deciding factor, take its starting point and seasonal conditions into account when planning. For your specific travel dates, check accommodation availability and, if you are travelling by PostBus for the winter hike, the relevant timetable.
Discover more destinations: Disentis/Mustér, Safien, Vignogn, Ladir, Sumvitg, Castrisch, Schnaus, Sankt Martin
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