Medels in Rheinwald combines a distinctive village church with routes that let you explore the area on foot, on cross-country skis or along the Rhine. The Reformed church is in NĂĽ Hus; a winter hiking route passes directly by it. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the different routes: they vary in length, activity and course. Medels is considered a tranquil village and can be reached by PostBus.
The Reformed Church and Its History
The Reformed Church of Medels was built in 1708 and is protected as a historic monument by the Canton of GraubĂĽnden. From 1726 to 1886, it served as the parish church of an independent parish. Today, it belongs to the Evangelical Reformed Parish of Rheinwald. Services are held in rotation in the churches of the five villages of Hinterrhein, Nufenen, Medels, SplĂĽgen and Sufers.
The building’s design also reflects the conditions of the location: the church tower has a tent roof and stands on the slope-facing side. Its position is intended to protect the entrance area from avalanches or snow slides. Inside the church, distinctive features include a pulpit without a sounding board and a baptismal and communion table in the centre of the choir. The address is Nü Hus, 7436 Medels im Rheinwald.
The history of the area includes its original use as alpine pastureland by Romans from Schams and its settlement by Walser people. The themed point “Of Walking and Living,” located in Medels, explores the Walser migration from the Piedmontese Val Formazza over the San Bernardino Pass into the Rheinwald. Another themed point covers the historic winter transport of goods on ox-drawn sled tracks in Splügen, Sufers and Medels. At selected fountains in the villages of the Rheinwald, the Rheinquellwege provide information about Medels.
Compare Winter Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing
The 11-kilometre winter hiking route “Valley Hike (Splügen–Medels–Nufenen–Hinterrhein)” runs from Splügen to Hinterrhein. In Medels, it passes by the church and continues towards Nufenen. The route therefore links the church with a longer hike through the valley; the stated distance applies to the entire route.
There are two cross-country skiing options, described in different ways. The “Rheinwald Valley Trail” follows a loop between Splügen and Nufenen via Medels. It follows the banks of the Hinterrhein through sparse woodland and open areas. The 12-kilometre “Rheinwald-Medels Trail” offers views of Guggernüll and Einshorn, as well as the winter landscape along the young Rhine. When choosing between hiking and cross-country skiing, you can take both the different activities and the stated distances into account.
Another Route and How to Get There
The “Rheinwald Route” also passes through Medels: it runs from Nufenen along the left bank of the river through the village and back to Splügen. This adds another route along the Rhine to the winter options. Like Splügen, Nufenen and Hinterrhein, Medels can be reached by PostBus. Check the timetable before your trip if you are planning your arrival or a connection to a hike.
When looking for a hotel in Medels in Rheinwald, you can choose your location based on the things you are interested in during your stay: church history, the hiking route that passes through the village or one of the trails described above. Compare the specific offers and your travel dates before making your decision.
For the broader travel overview: SplĂĽgen.
