Portein on the Heinzenberg

Portein is a small, hamlet-like clustered village on the Heinzenberg. It lies at an altitude of around 1,167 to 1,178 metres above sea level, on the south-east-facing western edge of the Domleschg. The settlement stretches along the ridge between the Porteiner Tobel and the Val da la Malanotg. Portein is therefore characterised by its compact settlement pattern and its location between these named landscape areas.

Church and the story of St. Gallus

Portein’s present-day church was built around 1715 to 1720 as a successor to the medieval church dedicated to St. Gallus. The older building collapsed into the Porteiner Tobel following the storm damage of 1714; only parts of the southern wall remained. The present-day church is a hall church. Its octagonal baptismal font also serves as a communion table, combining two functions in a single furnishing.

The Pelegrinadi Trail and stories from the region

The Pelegrinadi Trail runs between Tschappina and Präz, bringing the region’s stories, personalities, culture and language within reach. An app and information boards at the churches along the route share facts about the Heinzenberg. The stages can be combined freely and range from an easy Sunday stroll to an extended day hike. The trail thus offers different kinds of walks as well as a way to explore regional topics.

In Portein, one stop on the Pelegrinadi Trail tells the story of Johann Anton Grass. He studied medicine and philosophy throughout Europe for 15 years, spoke ten languages and had his practice in Portein. His biography connects a specific link to the village with a wide-ranging educational journey. Portein’s cultural history is therefore shaped by both its legacy of St. Gallus and the story of an individual.

Comparing mountain bike routes

When planning a mountain bike tour, two route profiles can be compared using their stated key details. The Heinzenberg Villages Route MTB Local No. 622 is a moderately difficult, 30-kilometre route with a stated duration of three hours. After Dalin and Sarn, it continues via Portein and Flerden; it is marked as regional route number 622.

The Cazner Fraktionen loop is also moderately difficult. It is 24.9 kilometres long and has 746 metres of elevation gain and 746 metres of elevation loss. The loop can be started and finished at any point; from Sarn, it leads downhill to Portein and as far as the stream in the Porteiner Tobel. Both profiles provide specific points of comparison: the Cazner Fraktionen is shorter than the 30-kilometre route, while a duration of three hours is stated for route No. 622. The loop’s elevation figures supplement its distance with information on ascent and descent.

Photographic traces

Photographic records also have a connection to Portein: the Cazis Cultural Archive preserves photographs and postcards from the village. These visual records complement the history of the church and regional trails with a visual perspective on Portein.

Discover more destinations: Thusis, Fürstenau, Urmein, Zillis, Sils Im Domleschg, Masein, Paspels, Feldis

View the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.