Geological e-bike route: via Kunkelspass around the Calanda

The start of this geologically very interesting round route is in Bad Ragaz. After the village center, you turn onto the old, picturesque road towards Valens, where you have to overcome 300 steep meters in altitude over the first 4.5 kilometers. A panorama stop at the Tamina Bridge, opened in 2017, is a must. With a span of 260 meters, it is the largest arch bridge in Switzerland. From Pfäfers, follow the gently rising main road into the Tamina valley. The next stop is worthwhile at the Windegg viewpoint before Vadura. Here you enjoy a wonderful view of the Glarus overthrust and the Wildseehörner. World Heritage information boards, viewfinders, and cool loungers invite you to linger… but you will probably want to continue.

At kilometer 16, you reach Vättis, where the exhibition 'BergeBeben!' shows the connection between earthquakes and mountain formation in the UNESCO Tektonic Arena Sardona… very impressively thanks to live broadcasts of seismic recordings! In the next kilometers along the valley floor of the bubbling Görbsbach, enjoy the view of the rugged limestone formations of Haldensteiner Calanda (2,805 m) and Felsberger Calanda (2,697 m). For a break, the mountain restaurant Eggwald in Ober Kunkels (1148 m above sea level) invites you. One last short climb, you are on Graubünden soil and soon reach the Kunkelspass height (1,357 m above sea level). The garden terrace of the mountain inn Überuf is irresistible. Like an arena, the lovely high pass plateau presents itself, surrounded by the Calanda (2805 m), Crap Mats (2947 m), and the Ringelspitz (3247 m) located in the tectonic arena, the highest mountain in St. Gallen. Inside the inn is an educational information room dedicated to the UNESCO World Heritage tektonic arena Sardona.

The descent to Tamins (660 m above sea level) leads over a steep and bumpy natural road built during the First World War. A spectacular view from the tunnel blasted into the rock follows. You overlook the Domleschg and can even spot the Bernina massif in the distance. From Tamins, follow national Veloland route no. 2 to Felsberg, where it continues along the right bank of the Rhine to Chur. You can further educate yourself geologically one more time: the Nature Museum Chur has a comprehensive geology exhibition focusing on the topic of Alpine formation. After that, you roll gently downstream to Landquart and Bad Ragaz… or you turn towards the station, look up once more to the Calanda… and finish the round by train.