Platta brings together different sides of Val Medel: circular hikes and themed trails, a route spread over several days, and the parish church of St. Martin with its painting of St. Christopher. When planning, one useful distinction is the time required: options range from a walk of around 40 minutes to hikes of about five hours and a route designed to take several days.

Hikes for different time budgets

The Muschaneras circular hike starts and ends in Platta. It is 13 kilometres long, rated moderate to difficult, and takes about five hours. From the postbus stop in Platta, the route leads via Drual towards Plaun Pardatsch. At Alp Muschaneras are old alpine huts; from there, you can enjoy views across the entire valley. After the alpine section, the trail descends steeply through alder scrub and forest. From Acla, it follows the left side of the Rein da Medel back to Platta.

A shorter option is the easy walking trail from Curaglia to Platta: 2.2 kilometres, around 40 minutes. Along the way, it passes an old stone bridge; after that, a prepared trail leads to Platta. This route is therefore quite different from the long Muschaneras loop, both in terms of time required and difficulty rating.

The “Churches and Chapels of Val Medel” themed trail offers another option. It is rated easy, is 11.5 kilometres long, and takes about three hours and 46 minutes. The route passes through Curaglia, Soliva, Biscuolm, Mutschnengia, Pali and Platta. Twelve larger and smaller places of worship are the focus along the way, with information about their origins and art-historical treasures. Compared with Muschaneras, the themed trail is shorter and rated as less challenging, but it also passes through several villages.

If you have more time for a route, you could consider the Via Lucmagn: it passes through Platta, is 41.7 kilometres long and is designed to take about three days. With a few detours, it is also suitable as a cycling route. On its final stage in Graubünden, the Via Francisca del Lucomagno leads from Acla via Platta to Sogn Gions. It follows the traces of an old route that connected Constance with Pavia.

Snowshoe route and church art

The difficult snowshoe trail 610, the Tegia Nova Trail, starts in Platta. The 10-kilometre tour is listed as taking about five hours. It leads above the tree line and offers views of the peaks of Val Medel and the upper Surselva. It crosses a historic stone bridge over the Rein da Medel, then climbs to the chapel in Pali. On the descent to Platta, the route alternates between forest and open areas. Winter trail conditions are seasonal: the route is signposted, but those unfamiliar with the area are advised to take a printed topographic map. In the wildlife quiet zone, stay within the marked corridor.

The parish church of St. Martin also gives the village a distinctive cultural focus. It was first mentioned in 1338 and has a Baroque character; its bell tower is Romanesque. The south façade features a painting of St. Christopher, created by Antonio da Tradate of Locarno around 1510. The wooden high altar was built in 1760 and displays stylistic features of the Rococo. The church also has two side chapels and two side altars. The themed trail to the places of worship in Val Medel puts Platta in the wider context of the valley’s churches and chapels.

Getting there and practical information

Postbuses run year-round from Disentis/Mustér railway station to Platta. You can reach the station from Chur by the Rhaetian Railway, or from Andermatt or Göschenen by the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. If you are planning your return from the Muschaneras route, one option from Acla is a postbus towards Curaglia; check the connection before you travel. A folding map titled “Baselgias e Capluttas dalla Val Medel” is available from the municipality, the village shop and the hotels.

As a local shopping option, the Venzin farm shop in Platta sells eggs, potatoes, cheese, and various meat and sausage products, including goat and sheep products. The range and availability may change; check locally. When choosing where to stay, it is worth considering your planned routes and how long they take—whether you have a short walk, a longer hike or a section of a multi-day route in mind.

Discover more destinations: Friggahüs, Giraniga, Affeier.

Return to the main travel overview: Obersaxen.