Igels: Cultural Trails, Churches and Cross-Country Skiing

Looking for a hotel in Igels and want to plan your stay around specific interests? In Degen, the focus is on historic churches, trails through Lumnezia, and cross-country skiing. The different routes and sights each offer their own highlights—from church history and hiking to winter ski trails.

Churches and historic traces in Degen

The parish church of Nossadunna in the village district of Fraissen stands on the old valley road and dates back to the Carolingian Urbar. Dedicated to Mary, it stands on an ancient place of worship with a spring that has almost dried up. Its late Gothic winged altar dates from 1520 and was made in the workshop of Christoph Scheller. Nossadunna is the parish church of the Fraissen parish; Sogn Vetger is its branch church. The parish was independent of Pleif from the outset. Its status is linked either to endowments by early nobles around 840 or to the Count of Sax.

Sogn Vetger also has a long history: the present-day chapel dates back to a new building that was consecrated with an altar on 27 June 1704. Its bell is dated to around 1200 and is one of the oldest in the canton. The Sogn Bistgaun Chapel stands in an open field and has no cemetery. Neither chapel is open to visitors; check local access information before planning your visit.

Another historic stop is Turatscha, a small hill below Degen with traces of a vanished castle. It was the ancestral castle of the episcopal ministeriales of Blumenthal; its grass-covered ruins lie on a level, elevated site. Turatscha is also a viewpoint, reached from the southern edge of Degen. The hiking trail from Turatscha to the Glenner passes Crap dils Morts. The descent is steep in places and is suitable only for hikers sure-footed on uneven terrain.

Cultural trails and hikes

Several trails lead to the churches and historic sites in the area. The cultural hike in Val Lumnezia goes to Degen and the chapels of Sogn Bistgaun and Sogn Vetger, as well as the church of Nossadunna. The “Places of Magic – Vattiz/Degen” route leads to the small Sogn Vetger Chapel on a hill at the edge of Degen. A separate variant, “Places of Magic Carrera,” is two kilometres long and starts and ends at the post bus stop in Degen. The route is listed as taking one hour; conditions and your personal pace may affect the actual walking time. Check current timetables before setting out, too.

On the Carrera route, points of interest include Crap dil Giavel, also called the Devil’s Stone, and Crap dallas Treis Siarps. Crap dil Giavel is a few metres above the nature trail, below the hill of Carrera. The Three Snakes Stone, as Crap dallas Treis Siarps is also known, lies about 300 metres to the east. The regional Lumnezia Cultural Trail passes through Vella, Davos Munts, Vignogn, Degen and Pleif before returning to Vella. The Lumnezia Cultural Trail is an easy, 7.5-kilometre route. More than 30 boundary stones along the trail commemorate events in the history of the valley; three information boards explain the flora and fauna of the fens.

Cross-country skiing in winter, a lake and farm shop in summer

The Degen ski trail is four kilometres long, starts and ends in Degen, and is groomed for both classic and skate skiing. It is suitable for beginners as well as experienced cross-country skiers. The route alternates between longer flat sections and smaller descents and climbs. The approximately one-kilometre night trail also offers classic and skate skiing. It is lit from mid-December to early March on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 6 and 9 p.m. Check the current times before your visit.

The summer tourism offer in Degen also includes Lake Davos Munts, above Vattiz in Lumnezia. The natural lake is at an altitude of 1,300 metres. At the lake, there is a large paddling pool, a jetty, several barbecue areas, a beach volleyball court and a slackline. Conditions at the lake can vary by season. In summer, the Caduff Experience Farm also opens its show garden to visitors. The farm has a small restaurant and a shop. It mainly sells its own produce, supplemented by products from selected other businesses.

Event and further perspectives

Openair Lumnezia has been held in Degen since 2006. On a summer weekend, it draws around 18,000 visitors to Lumnezia. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the current event dates. The 32.2-kilometre cycling loop through Lumnezia passes through Degen. Alongside the historic churches, a longer cycling excursion and the region’s seasonal offerings are other options to consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Surcuolm, Sumvitg, Waltensburg, Tenna, Schnaus, Medels Im Oberland, Vals, Rueun.

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