Stage 1: South escape Graubünden

From the main railway station in Chur, you take the post bus to Tschiertschen and shortly after start the sometimes steep climb to Ochsenalp. The terrain is somewhat gentler up to the Carmenna hut above Arosa, after which the path leads steeply up again to the Hörnlihütte. The singletrail to Urdenfürggli is considered a mountain bike classic but is not easy to ride. Especially on the final ascent, most push their bikes. But the effort is worth it: the long descent to Lenzerheide is legendary and leads from the Scharmoin mid-station on the flow section of the Lenzerheide bike park down to the valley station. After the town centre, you follow the trail along the main road. At the golf course, you turn sharply right and ride to the settlement of Tschividains and then continue on a wonderful flow trail high above the inconspicuous gorge. A mix of singletrail and forest paths leads to Tiefencastel station. In Tiefencastel, it is preferable to take the post bus to the stage destination Savognin. Those who want to get to the village under their own power ride on a little-trafficked mountain road to a small, nameless pass above the village of Mon. This ascent can also be managed by post bus. The subsequent descent to Savognin runs over gravel and asphalt paths but is largely free of traffic. That completes the first stage of the three-day Graubünden crossing. After the German-speaking Chur, you reach the Romansh cultural area of Graubünden in Savognin.

 Effective distance on the bike: 41 km.