Prättigau
Prättigau is a tourism region in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, stretching from the valley entrance up to Klosters at the foot of the majestic Rätikon mountain range on the border with Vorarlberg, Austria. The valley is rural and strongly shaped by agriculture, with one side of the valley rolling and gentle and the other alpine, rocky and wild. It is crossed by the Landquart river and served by the Rhaetian Railway, which runs through the valley in hourly intervals, while PostAuto lines connect the mountain villages. The region is known for its restrained tourist development, offering natural experiences without ski pistes or cable-car masts disturbing the mountain views. Prättigau is a hub for outdoor sports, including hiking, climbing, mountain biking and trail running, and is home to the Walser heritage and a lively cultural scene. The ten municipalities of Conters, Fideris, Furna, Grüsch, Jenaz, Klosters, Küblis, Luzein, Schiers and Seewis make up the region, with Klosters belonging to the Davos Klosters destination.
Summer activities
In summer, Prättigau is a destination for hiking, climbing, mountain biking and trail running. The Prättigauer Höhenweg long-distance trail runs from Klosters through the valley into the Bündner Herrschaft along the Rätikon chain, in three or four stages. The Rätikon is one of Switzerland's largest and best-known climbing hotspots, with climbing gardens, via ferratas and multi-pitch routes, plus the Sunniberg Climbing garden at the Sunniberg bridge. Mountain bikers find a wide choice of tours for beginners, families and professionals, many suitable for e-bikes, with highlights such as the Valpun loop and the Rätikon Bike trail. Trail running routes range from easy valley trails to demanding alpine ultras. Numerous outdoor swimming pools, including the high-altitude Pany pool, offer refreshment on hot summer days.
Winter activities
In winter, Prättigau offers ski touring, snowshoeing, winter hiking and sledding, as well as cross-country skiing and ice skating. Ski and snowboard areas are served by local mountain railways such as the Grüsch-Danusa lifts, and ski touring specialists and rental shops are available in the villages. Winter hiking trails and snowshoe routes run through the valley and its mountain villages, and a ski-touring help point is operated at the Gasthaus Hochwang in Furna.
Culture and entertainment
Prättigau has a distinctive cultural life rooted in its Walser heritage and rural traditions, with customs such as the Prättigauer Alp Spektakel, the Hürna in Furna and Kränzli and Tschäppel. A cultural office and commission support the arts, and a lively programme of events runs through the year, including storytelling cafés, readings, concerts and village festivals such as the Brüel-Fescht in Jenaz. The region's restrained development and historical background give it a strong sense of tradition and identity.
