The Surselva holiday region is located in the heart of the Alps between the source of the Rhine and the Rhine Gorge. Far away from mass tourism and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you can explore the fresh mountain air, impressive panoramic views and varied landscape on a gravel bike.

As the name suggests, gravel bikes are designed for unpaved surfaces. These bikes are real all-rounders that allow you to tackle many different surfaces and give you more freedom in your choice of route. They open up the opportunity to cycle not only on paved surfaces, but also on forest and field tracks, gravel paths and simple single trails. The thicker gravel tyres offer more grip, comfort, rolling resistance and puncture resistance. Gravel bike handlebars have a wider underhand grip and are flared outwards. This grip position allows better control on uneven ground and is safer.

A challenging section awaits immediately after the start in Ilanz. After the first steep, tough ascent on an almost traffic-free, paved road, we continue on gravel. After you’ve climbed about a thousand metres, the Bündner Rigi mountain inn is a welcoming place for a break. The view of the Rhine Gorge is particularly impressive here. The vista sweeps over the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona, the Ringelspitz Group, Calanda and as far as the Signina Group.

After a small forest section, the short descent via the little mountain village of Morissen and on to Vella promises some relaxation. The view of the mountain range opposite and the Val Lumnezia is magnificent. You can relax at the idyllic Davos Munts swimming lake above Vattiz. On hot days it offers a welcome chance to cool down. Tip: enjoy some local delicacies as you dangle your feet in the water and recharge for the onward journey.

The second ascent of the day can take a lot out of you and, after a total ascent of about 2,000m, you will without doubt have to dig deep on the Alp Nova. After a short single trail section in the direction of Alp Stavonas and over the Obersaxen high plateau, there is a long descent down to the Anterior Rhine. From here, the route continues along the Rhine back to Ilanz. 

She discovered her passion for cycling at an early age. At 17, she became Swiss mountain biking champion and then won the cross-country world title. She also competed in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She was crowned the first ever women’s E-MTB champion in 2019.

In recent years, Nathalie has caught gravel fever, allowing her to discover new routes. She loves the freedom that gravel biking brings: spontaneously choosing unfamiliar paths and throwing yourself into adventure. Nathalie loves the great outdoors, undisturbed and far away from mass tourism. She believes that Graubünden is the ideal playground for gravel bikers. Every region and every valley is different – varied terrain, strenuous ascents and rapid downhills. Best of all: there is always an opportunity to stop for a tasty treat with an unforgettable panoramic view. One of her very favourite gravel bike routes is in the Surselva holiday region.

With its “Menu for Cyclists” offering of ten-day and two-day tours, Graubünden will whet the appetite for gravel biking. Depending on the level of difficulty, the tours in the four locations (Disentis Sedrun, Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair, Surselva and Viamala) can be enjoyed as a starter, main course or dessert. The inspiration for the “Menu for Cyclists” came from Graubünden’s star chef and keen biker Andreas Caminada. For him, top basic ingredients are the most important thing for the perfect menu. Caminada’s principles are reflected in the “Menu for Cyclists”. The ingredients? Mountain paths, gravel roads and mountain passes, with a garnish of fresh mountain air and incomparable panoramic views.

Capuns instead of muscle gel, nut cake instead of an energy bar: Not only is the “Menu for Cyclists” a perfect bike offering, Graubünden also comes up trumps from a culinary perspective. Regional treats provide a boost and energy on the gravel bike tour.