Schnaus: Hiking Trails, Workshop and Mountain Landscapes

Schnaus is a district of the municipality of Ilanz/Glion in the Swiss canton of Graubünden; until the end of 2013, it was an independent municipality. The village lies west of Ilanz on the left bank of the Vorderrhein. Visitors looking to combine hiking, nature and local history during a stay in Schnaus will find a range of highlights: the Mulin forest educational trail focuses on trees and shrubs, hiking descriptions include the village in different ways, and the Gebrüder Giger Historic Workshop represents the area's industrial history.

Landscapes between the Vorderrhein and Alp da Schnaus

Geographically, Schnaus extends beyond the riverbank by the village. Its southern part stretches from the Vorderrhein to Mulin and covers elevations from 700 to 1,220 metres. The northern exclave of Alp da Schnaus extends from 1,700 metres to Crest da Tiarms at 2,412 metres; it consists mostly of mountains and forest. The two areas offer different geographical points of reference: in the south, the area between the river and Mulin; in the north, the much higher-lying exclave with Crest da Tiarms.

Forest educational trail and hiking paths

The Mulin forest educational trail features 43 labelled trees and shrubs. Information boards provide brief explanations in German and Romansh. Giger Seeli is designated as a rest stop for a short break. Despite parcel 10213 being privately owned in the municipality of Ilanz/Glion, visitors may explore the trail; the section with Giger Seeli is entered at your own risk. If you plan to visit this section, observe the notice that you do so at your own risk.

The hiking descriptions also differ in how they relate specifically to Schnaus. Official hiking route 905 passes through the village. The Ilanz circular hike passes the historic Gebrüder Giger site and begins and ends at Ilanz railway station. The Via Glion lists the Gebrüder Giger Historic Workshop as a point of interest. The route's connections to the area thus range from a path through Schnaus to the historic Giger site and the workshop as a named excursion destination. Ilanz can be reached from Chur and Disentis/Mustér by the Rhaetian Railway. Check the current route status of the circular hike before planning your trip.

Climbing and the historic workshop

The climbing garden near Schnaus has been open since 2007 and is described as family-friendly. All routes are suitable for top-rope climbing; the climbing garden can be reached on foot or by bicycle. It is a separate activity highlight alongside the hiking routes.

For over 100 years, the famous “Schnauser ploughs” were made in the ploughsmithy at the Gebrüder Giger Historic Workshop. The workshop's machines are powered by a 156-metre-long steel cable connecting them to the waterwheel in the Siaterbach stream. Blacksmithing demonstrations are also part of the offering. If you wish to plan a visit around a demonstration, check in advance when it is taking place.

Churches and local history

The Reformed Church in Schnaus is a listed building. The Protestant church has a rectangular nave and a choir closed off on three sides; the west façade features a round-arched, late Gothic portal. These architectural features describe different parts of the church: the layout of the nave, the shape of the choir's end and the design of the west portal.

The village's history goes back a long way. Around 840, Schnaus is recorded as an old settlement under the name Scanaues. The Church of St Sebastian, Mary Magdalene and George is mentioned in 1480 and was a subsidiary church of St Remigius in Falera. The dates mark different points of reference: first the settlement under its name at the time, then the church and its ecclesiastical affiliation.

Discover more destinations: Tenna, Sumvitg, Ruschein, Ilanz, Schluein, Safien, Rueun, Waltensburg.

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