If you like hiking, via Ferrata, e-biking and swimming in beautiful turquoise lakes, I suggest you to spend your Switzerland summer vacation in Flims.
I went to Switzerland for the first time 2 years ago, in winter wonderland that is Zermatt. It was love at first sight. Switzerland is really how you would imagine a fairy tale country to look like.
Another winter I went to LAAX ski resort, in the canton of Graubünden, one of the coolest place in the world for skiing and snowboarding.
This time, I came back to the canton of Graubünden, in Flims more exactly, to see Switzerland in summer! I also went to Lausanne in summer. A very cool city!!
How to go to Flims/Laax – Switzerland
Flims is quite easy to access. the nearest airport is Zurich, from where you take a train to Chur and then a bus to your final destination. It sounds much more complicated than it actually is. The transportation is indeed very well organized with ongoing connection, etc.
The bus stopped right in front of our hotel, the Rocksresort in Laax, where we checked into one of their modern apartment.
* AFFILIATE LINKS
Switzerland summer vacation – Enjoy the most beautiful lakes of Switzerland
Crestasee in Flims
We started our Switzerland summer vacation with an e-bike tour to Crestasee in Flims, a small lake with blue-green waters in the forest. This lake is perfect to relax, standup paddle and have a barbecue.
Caumasee lake – one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland
If you want a bigger lake, you can go to Caumasee lake, the most known lake in the area. With it’s heart shaped form and it’s turquoise water it is one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland.
Unlike Crestasee, where we went the day before, you have to pay an entrance feefor the Caumasee lake (CHF 12.00 for adults and CHF 6.00 for children until 16) but it is way bigger. Also there, you can rent standup paddles, boats, pedalo and there is a proper restaurant on site to spend the perfect Switzerland summer day!
Adventure holidays in Switzerland – Via Ferrata Flims
During a Switzerland summer vacation, you can expect to be active! Wake up very early to go on the Pinut Via ferrata, the oldest Via Ferrata in Switzerland. This was my very first experience of this type. I have to say that I was very scared at first but to be honest it looks more impressive than it actually is (at least if you are not afraid of heights). The first ladder is the most difficult one because you have to push yourself to go on it but after this, you get used to the height so that the whole experience gives you just the right amount of thrills you are looking for when doing this kind of activities. Also the view from the Via Ferrata is so worth it, you will regret not to do it. Count around 3 hours of climbing with some walks in between. At the top, we signed the book that we made it to the end and hiked over to the Swiss Alps for breakfast. No service at this altitude in Switzerland, you will still find chalet with self service. You take whatever you would like and leave the money in a little box. Trust it is!!
FYI – The Pinut Via Ferrata is perfect for beginners, and accessible from 12 years old. You can go on your own or with an experienced guide. You will find all informations HERE.
Switzerland in summer – Hiking trails
Bargis mountain valley hike via the Scala Mola
To go down from the Via Ferrata Flims, you have to take the Bargis by the „Scala Mola“, a roman stone stair. To be honest this part of the trip was more tiring than the Via Ferrata itself. But hey, it is still impressive to see what the roman built in the 17th century!! Also if you don’t want to go on the via Ferrata, you can hike to the top via the „Scala Mola“!
2 days hike from Flims to the Segnes Plains
Hiking definitely belongs to a Switzerland summer vacation. So we did another hike. 2 days hiking from Flims up to the Segnes plains at 2627meters.
From Flims, we went with the chairlift to Foppa and then to Naraus. From Naraus, we started a 2 hours hike up to Segneshütte, a mountain lodge with restaurant and accommodation, where we had our Swiss lunch. Mountain eating of course : typical Pitzokel and Rösti, because we needed lot of energy.
The pass until there was quite easy, with wonderful view on the valley.
After lunch we continued our hike through different landscapes, from very flat with spectacular waterfalls to a lunar landscape, through winter landscape with snow. After around 6 hours we arrived at our summit at 2627 meters : the Pass dil Segnas!
The trail was not really difficult. It is just important to go at your own pace. Only the last meters before arriving at the Mountain Lodge were more difficult because of the snow. We were happy we finally arrived though and congratulated ourselves the Swiss way with a Röteli, a liquor from the region.
We spent the night at the Segnespass, the only mountain Lodge in the area. The mountain lodge is open from 30th of June until 30th of July. The mountain lodge has one common area and one room with beds. There is no running shower or hot water but such a fabulous place!
If you are interested in Staying at the Mountain Lodge you can find all informations HERE.
From the Segnespass mountain lodge we had an impressive view on the Martin’s hole, literally a round hole in the mountain but also on what is a UNESCO Heritage : the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona. There you can see what happened millions years ago, when the continents of Africa and Europe collided. From there you can really see how the younger mountains went on top of the older mountains because of this movement. To me it is really interesting to see things I have learn in books.
Waterfalls hike in Flims
Next morning, we woke up at 6:30 and went back down the same way we went up until the Segneshütte and from there we took a new pass : „TRUTG DI FLEM“, from where we could admire along the way waterfalls, gorges and bridges.
Last but not least we ended our stay in Switzerland with a delicious lunch at Grandis Ustria Startgels. A mountain eating close to the Foppa chairlift.
Switzerland summer vacation at it’s best!
The region of Graubünden is definitely a beautiful destination both in winter and summer!
Also I would love to go roadtrip through Switzerland! Maybe soon!
* Pictures : Vicky, Annie, Helenand I
**This trip was organized by Flims Tourism. Thank you!!!
My opinion remains my own.