Schluein can be explored through two distinct highlights: local history centered on Mulin Sura and St. Peter and Paul, and a longer hike along the Vorderrhein. When planning your visit, it helps to decide first whether you want to discover Schluein through its historic buildings or set aside time for an extended walk.
Mills, castle and village history
Schluein, formerly known as Schleuis, is in the Surselva region of the canton of Graubünden. The village lies at an elevation of about 762 meters above sea level; the municipal area ranges from 671 to 1,374 meters. Löwenberg Castle stands above the village. Around 1600, Mulin Sura, the Upper Mill, belonged to the castle; the mill was built around that time. It ground barley and millet and was also used to pound these grains. As a surviving mill, Mulin Sura connects the name to a specific former use.
Another mill story belongs to the Lower Mill below the main road: from the 19th century, an additional waterwheel there powered a saw; it was dismantled around 1950. The village’s history thus includes not only the processing of barley and millet, but also the use of a saw during a clearly defined historical period. To this day, Löwenberg Castle brings artists, young entrepreneurs and co-working spaces together under one roof. This puts the site’s historic uses alongside its distinct cultural and work-related uses today.
Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul
The present-day Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul was built from 1710 to 1716 to plans by master builder Battiast Pedazi and consecrated on September 7, 1716. The vault paintings were created in 1715 by Jacob Soliva from Trun. The interior decoration therefore dates from the construction period, one year before the consecration. The patrons, master builder and artist offer a way to explore the village’s architectural and artistic history. Compared with Mulin Sura, the church shifts the focus from grain processing to Baroque architecture and painting.
Hiking or exploring by e-bike
The Auenweg 656.2 is a circular hike starting in Ilanz. The route passes through Castrisch and Valendas-Sagogn railway station to Schluein, then continues to Sagogn. Along the Vorderrhein, it runs through floodplain forests and nature reserves. The loop is 16.7 kilometers long, with an estimated walking time of about five hours. As trail conditions affect distance and duration, treat these figures as a guide. Check the latest route information before setting out. With its approximate walking time, the Auenweg is a longer, stand-alone hiking plan, not a short stroll.
The four-day Surselva e-bike circuit, which includes a stage through Schluein, offers a different timeframe. The distinction is useful for planning: the Auenweg is a single circular hike starting in Ilanz, while the e-bike tour is a multi-day trip through the Surselva. If you are planning an extended day hike rather than a multi-day cycling tour, the route type and timeframe can help you choose. Route details may change, so check the latest tour information before planning the e-bike trip as well.
Discover more destinations: Medels Im Oberland, Sagens, Schluein, Igels, Surcuolm, Ruschein, Suraua and Morissen.
For the broader travel overview: Surselva.
