Praden – Walser Village and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Praden
Praden is a village in the GraubĂĽnden municipality of Chur, on the left side of the Schanfigg valley. It lies about five kilometres southeast of Chur as the crow flies. The settlement stretches along the slope, around 400 metres above the course of the Plessur River. Village history, hiking trails, a viewpoint and a sound installation give the place a variety of points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Praden, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on culture, outdoor activities or both.
Walser Village and History
Praden is considered a typical Walser mountain village. Around 1300, German-speaking Walsers from Langwies settled permanently in a forest clearing that had previously been cleared by Romansh speakers. The settlement was mentioned in German as “Pradener” in 1488; the name “Prada” is known from earlier in Romansh and is still used today. The Niggli houses add a more recent historical feature: they were built around the middle of the 19th century and bear decorative, highly visible inscriptions. The village name, settlement history and inscribed houses give the village a cultural and historical focus.
Church, Village Centre and Sound Installation
The village centre comprises Praden Church, the Old Schoolhouse and the Old Post Office; the church and old schoolhouse stand side by side. The church was built in 1642 as a simple, east-facing building. It houses a home organ dating from the 17th century. It is probably one of the oldest church organs still in use in the Canton of GraubĂĽnden, and may even be the oldest.
In Ausserpraden, the interactive sound installation “Fernsein” (“Being Far Away”) commemorates those who emigrated. Visitors can recreate the sound of ocean surf there. Another cultural event is Chriesisunntig, a Praden village festival held about every two years around cherry-ripening time. In Praden, cherries do not ripen until the end of July. Check the current festival date before your trip.
Hiking Trails and Different Destinations
The marked hiking trail network of Tschiertschen and Praden covers around 70 kilometres. On the trail between the two villages, the routes cross open meadows and pass through forests. Hikers and mountain bikers share the route and are asked to be considerate of one another. This shared use is a practical consideration to bear in mind when planning this tour.
The “Praden – Joch – Parpan (13)” route follows the old Praden alpine trail via Dürreggen to Untersäss, the lower level of the Praden Alp. At the upper level of the alp, it reaches the Joch viewpoint, with views of Chur and into the Schanfigg. The first stage of the Schanfigg High Trail runs from Oberer Grida via Usser Praden and Inner Praden to Tschiertschen. On the section described, the Schanfigg Villages Trail runs from Passugg via Praden to Lüen. Its landscape includes meadows and forests, ravines, Maiensässe (seasonal alpine settlements) and villages with characteristic timber buildings; at the same time, the trail introduces hikers to traditional, authentic village culture. The route over the Joch makes a viewpoint its destination, while the High Trail and Villages Trail provide orientation through their sequence of named places.
Mineral Spring and DĂĽrreggen Barbecue Area
Another hiking destination is the Praden mineral spring in a gorge towards the Plessur. The trail descends through the forest in switchbacks and ends at the spring after a descent of around 150 metres. From there, the view extends down to the Plessur, as if from a balcony. Following repairs, the trail is considered still easy to walk, apart from a few fallen tree trunks lying across it. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting off.
The DĂĽrreggen barbecue area is located above Praden, on a hill in a larch forest. It is easily reached from Praden and Tschiertschen by hiking trails. It is another named stop along the way, with a setting that differs from the gorge at the mineral spring.
Plan Your Journey and Stay
By car, take the A13 to Chur and then the cantonal road to Praden. The postbus runs between Chur and Praden, so you can travel part of the fourth stage of the Schanfigg Villages Trail by public transport. Check the timetable when planning your journey and the current road conditions if travelling by car.
Your travel plans can help you choose a hotel in Praden: Would you mainly like to experience the village’s history, choose a hiking route or combine the two? The village centre and Niggli houses offer a historical focus; the trails described differ in their landscapes, sequence of stages and destinations.
Discover more destinations: Castiel, Chur, Peist, Churwalden, LitzirĂĽti, Sankt Peter, Parpan, Pagig
View the main travel overview: Plessur.
