Donath is a Romansh-speaking village at the foot of the Schamserberg. When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on: in Donath, Maillart bridges and village history meet several hiking and cycling routes. The routes described differ in their course and character, offering various points of reference for planning.
Bridge Building and Village History
The Valtschiel Bridge is Robert Maillart’s oldest surviving bridge and is also considered one of his major works. Today, it is used only by non-motorized traffic. Maillart designed the Valtschielbach Bridge near Donath in 1925 on the principle of a stiffened arch. For those interested in bridge building, both Maillart’s significance and a specific construction principle are central.
The church’s history also offers several chronological points of reference: St. George’s Church was built around 1450. A church in Donat is first mentioned in a document in 1463; between 1686 and 1688, its nave was enlarged and the choir vaulted. Donath is Romansh-speaking. The village is also home to the only school where Sutsilvan is taught.
Hiking Trails Around Donath
The Val Schons cultural hike runs from Zillis to Donath at the foot of the Schamserberg. The historic long-distance hiking route viaSpluga runs from Zillis via Donath and Clugin to Andeer. The cultural trail and the long-distance route can therefore be distinguished by their respective stated sequences of stops, without combining them into a single tour.
The Cagliatscha circular hike passes through Donath and connects the Cagliatscha castle ruins, the renovated Maillard Bridge and a sight described as the “Sistine Chapel of the Alps.” The route of another circular hike in Val Schons is also described, running from Cagliatscha via Donath to Zillis: it follows mountain and forest tracks through Donath and descends to Zillis.
On the Libi circular tour, Donat Church is one of the sights. The section from Dumangs to Donat is around five kilometers long and leads downhill; Donat can be reached by PostBus on the circular tour. Seven circular tours start and finish at the railway platform in Donat, vischnĂ nca. Check the PostBus timetable when planning your trip.
Cycling Tours and Other Regional Routes
The beginner cycling tour on National Cycle Route No. 6 runs via Donath and Clugin to Andeer. The viaSpluga Bike route also runs via Donath and Clugin to Andeer. The beginner rating applies to National Cycle Route No. 6 and should not automatically be applied to other routes.
Other routes also pass through the village: the Transviamala route to Donath runs via Thusis, Lost Hole, Reischen, Zillis and Andeer. The Avers mule track runs through Donath and Clugin on its way to Andeer. When choosing a route, it is therefore worth considering not only its name, but also the places and activity described.
Another activity in the municipality of Muntogna da Schons is sledding: large sections of the mountain roads are groomed to form a sled run over ten kilometers long. You can descend more than 1,000 meters in elevation into the valley; part of the route is illuminated at night.
Saffron and the Schamserberg Landscape
Schamserberg saffron is grown at the Stgealetahof in Donath. The saffron field has been cultivated since 2014; the crop is harvested there every day in October and November. These months therefore offer a specific seasonal reference point for planning a trip if you are interested in saffron cultivation.
Dry meadows and pastures are part of the regional landscape of the upper Schamserberg. This semi-natural cultural landscape has been shaped by centuries of cultivation; its dry meadows and pastures are among the most species-rich habitats in this cultural landscape.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Avers, Feldis, Sarn, Pignia, Rothenbrunnen, Andeer, Tschappina, Trans.
Return to the main travel overview: Hinterrhein.
