Connbächli Boat Adventure Trail featuring Lake Cauma and Rhine Gorge, also known as the Swiss Grand Canyon - a family guide
- Family Fun Factor
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Hike along the Connbächli stream with a boat on a string, stopping at lake Cauma (Caumasee) and enjoying views over the Rhine Gorge. Two options: 3.2 km one-way hike with a bus return or a 6 km circular hike. Not suitable for strollers.
Flims Wald | Laax - Flims - Falera region (Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland).
Season Opening: TBC
🏆 Part of our Family Adventure Map featuring top themed hikes in Switzerland. 🏆
What makes Connbächli Boat Adventure Trail special: The it factor
What makes it special:
Free access to the hike
Fun walk along a river with a boat being pulled on a string
Stop-over at the lake Cauma
Views over the Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon)
Two Options: 3.2 km downhill hike with a bus return | 6 km circular hike
What needs to be considered:
No barbecue spot
Access to Caumasee may require a fee and the lake can get quite crowded during holidays
Roots along the path can be challenging – recommended for kids who are comfortable with hiking
You need a boat on a string - you can bring your own or buy one at the local guest information offices
Don't feel like reading? Watch a video instead!
Connbächli Boat Adventure Trail Walk-Through Video
Note: Horse carriage return is no longer available — it has been replaced by a bus return.
Plan your visit: Quick overview
Connbächli Boat Adventure Trail at a glance
📍 Location: Connbächli
🥾 Hike type: Linear hike with direct access from parking; return on foot or by bus.
🎉 Fun Factor: Pull a boat on a string along the river
🍽️ Food factor:
Ustria La Cauma - table served
Restaurant Conn - table served
No barbecue spots (fire hazard)
Two options: 3.2 km one-way hike with a bus return or a 6 km circular hike.
👶 Stroller friendliness: No
💰 Value factor:
Hike access: Free
Caumasee access (optional):
Free off season
In Season: Adults CHF 18 (with a guest card: 9 CHF) | Children (from 6 years): CHF 9 (with a guest card: Free) | Kids below 6: Free
Prices are indicative - check official website for details
Note: You need a boat on a string - you can bring your own or buy one at the local guest information offices in Laax, Flims or Falera (18 CHF)
Plan your visit: Practical info
Arrival by car: Parking address - Rudi Dadens 3, 7018 Flims
Arrival by public transport: Flims Waldhaus, Caumasee Bus stop (bus 81 from Chur)
Bring your own boat on a string or buy one from Laax, Flims or Falera tourist info
Start & end:
All options: The entrance to the path is from the parking. Go through the CONNBÄCHLI gate. The path is not indicated from there, but as soon as you see the river, start following it downstream to the left
Option 1 (Hike & bus return): Descent: 160 m | Length: 3.2 km | Duration: 1-3 hrs
Take the bus back from Flims Dorf, Conn to Flims Waldhaus, Caumasee (check schedules in advance, as buses do not always run)
Option 2 (Hike all the way): Descent / Ascent: 160 m | Length: 6 km | Duration: 2-5 hrs | From Conn restaurant, follow signs to Caumasee (lake Cauma) and from there, follow sighs to Flims Waldhaus
Bonus Option (Viewing platform) - can be combined with both options: Length: Additional 700 meters back and forth from Conn Restaurant | Mostly flat | Follow Il Spir signs
Outdooractive hike map
Plan your visit: Detailed guide
Connbächli boat adventure trail featuring Lake Cauma and Rhine Gorge - Everything else parents will want to know
The fun factor
CONNBÄCHLI is a free hike along the Connbächli stream, passing lake Cauma (access fee may be required), and concluding at the stunning Rhine Gorge, which is also known as the Swiss Grand Canyon (free access). The highlight for kids is pulling a boat on a string all the way along the stream. The additional highlight for parents are the beautiful views.
There are the following options:
Option 1: Hike & Bus - 3.2 km one-way slightly downhill hike plus a bus return back
Option 2: Hike all the way - c. 6 km round trip (return slightly uphill)
Bonus Option: Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon) Best Views (Il Spir) - additional 700 m mostly flat walk to and from the viewing platform
We did the Hike & Bus option, as our kid was already tired after the 3.2 km, and it still took us almost a full day.
Here are our top 3 Fun Factors of Connbächli Boat Adventure Trail in Flims
1. Walk along the stream with a Boat Buddy
To enjoy this hike, you'll need a boat on a string. You can bring your own or buy one at the tourist office in Laax, Flims or Falera , or at the mountain railway station at the Laax Murschetg valley. Then, you can decorate it as you wish. Here's a MacGyver-tip for you, if you buy one: the string it comes with is short, but the linen pouch it comes in also has a string. Combining both strings works really well.
You walk along the Connbächli stream for about 3.2 km, holding the boat on a string. Our kid was extremely excited about the hike, and even though there were no fun stations along the way, she was motivated to walk the whole distance. She even named her boat and had conversations with it as she walked along the stream...
2. Stop over at Caumasee
About 15 minutes in, you come across a free lift that takes you down to the beautiful Lake Cauma (Caumasee), also known as the jewel of Flims, famous for its striking turquoise-colored water. There, you can enjoy a restaurant, a playground, a beach volleyball field, or, if the weather allows, go for a swim, rent pedalos, or try stand-up paddleboarding. It's absolutely stunning so we highly recommend it. During the summer, there is an entry fee to access the lake.
If you chose Option 1, Hike & Bus, we recommend taking the lift down and stopping by the lake at this point, as you will not be passing it again. Once you're done with your Caumasee adventure, you can take the lift back up and continue the trail.
If you chose Option 2, Hike all the way, you will be coming back past the lake, so you might want to keep it as a reward after the hike. Just ignore the lift and continue walking along the river.
3. Discover Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon)
In both options, the hike concludes at a Conn restaurant with a mini playground, next to Rhine Gorge, also know as the Swiss Grand Canyon. This stunning location is renowned for its breathtaking views of deep gorges and towering rock formations. Here you can already enjoy a great view of the canyon.
For an even more spectacular panorama, you can extend the hike by approximately 700 m round trip (flat) from the Conn restaurant, to reach Il Spir, an observation deck with an incredible view.
The fitness factor
For all options, the first 3.2 km of the route follows the river and is slightly downhill (approximately 160 meters). While most of it has a path alongside, there are several sections without a proper path where you need to walk over roots next to the river. Officially, the hike is recommended for children five years and older. We suggest it for kids who are already confident hikers, as there are many tricky parts that require navigating over roots.
Additionally, be sure to bring good shoes with a solid grip.
Option 2: Hike all the way
After you finish the trail along the river, you will hike back over a dirt road. The path is easy to navigate but slightly uphill (approximately 160 meters). There are quite a few benches to rest, and you can stop at Caumasee along the way for a refreshment. After Caumasee, you can take the lift up, which will save you a bit of the climb.
Bonus Option: Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon) Best Views (Il Spir) - additional 700 m mostly flat walk to and from the viewing platform, along a dirt road.
The food factor
There are not many picnic spots along the river. However, you can take a break at the Ustria La Cauma restaurant by Lake Cauma (Caumasee) or eat self-brought food by the lake. Please note that due to fire hazards, barbecues are not allowed.
About two-thirds of the way through the river hike, there is a Verweilbank—a funky-looking resting bench where you can rest.
You can also exit the hike in four places and find a bench along a dirt road if you need a break.
At the end of the river part of the hike (first 3.2 km), you'll find the Conn restaurant, which offers a kids' menu and a small playground. This is also where the horse carriage departs to take you back to the parking spot.
Nearby, there is a nice grassy area, perfect for a picnic—so bring a blanket if you prefer to bring your own food.
If you go for option 2, you'll have additional resting options with the many benches along the way back or at the lake Cauma.
The value factor
Hike access: Free (can be accessed directly from the parking lot)
Viewing platform access (Rhine Gorge | Swiss Grand Canyon): Free
Lake Cauma access (2026 prices):
Admission is free before summer bathing season
From summer bathing season, there is an entrance fee:
Adults CHF 18 (with a guest card: 9 CHF)
Kids (from 6 years): CHF 9 (with a guest card: Free)
Kids below 6: Free
Prices are indicative - check official website for details
Toy Boat: You can bring your own (just ensure it is attached to a string) or buy one from the tourist office in Laax, Flims or Falera for 18 CHF
Bus return (Option 1 only - return by bus):
Conn Shuttle (one way):
Adults: CHF 10
Kids (6–16): CHF 5
Kids under 6: Free
Top Family Hike in Switzerland!
This hike is featured on our Adventure Map: Top themed hikes for families — part of our curated collection of the best family hikes in Switzerland.
More info: Official Website
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