Caumasee, Crestasee and Il Spir
🗺️ Overview
Starting Point: Parking near Flims, Grison (see at this link)
Distance: Approximately 11 km
Elevation Gain: Around 250 m ascent/descent
Duration: Around 3 hours nonstop; recommended as a full-day excursion
Highlights: Lake Cresta, Il Spir viewpoint, Caumasee Lake
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Our hike began at a convenient parking spot just before reaching Flims in the beautiful region of Grison. It is at the end of Punt la Reisga road (always wierd these Roumatsch names!). We initially descended towards the picturesque Lake Cresta, making this our first swimming stop. Lake Cresta, though strikingly beautiful, doesn't have much in the way of traditional beaches apart from a small area next to the restaurant. However, if you're willing to brave the muddy shoreline, the crystal-clear waters provide a refreshing and enjoyable swim. There's even a charming little island in the middle, featuring a solitary tree—Lucia particularly enjoyed relaxing there.
Section 2: Lake Cresta to Il Spir Viewpoint
After this pleasant first break, we continued towards Il Spir, a panoramic tower offering breathtaking views of the Rhein valley. The hike to Il Spir follows a wide gravel road gently ascending through a serene forest. It covers about 3.3 kilometers with an elevation gain of 120 meters. The Il Spir viewpoint itself is truly spectacular—a tower held up by sturdy metal cables extends out dramatically from the cliffside, providing stunning views of the winding Rhein River below as it carves its path through gravel banks.
Section 3: Il Spir Viewpoint to Caumasee
Leaving the viewpoint behind, our next destination was Caumasee, another jewel of a lake, reachable by a gentle and pleasant hike (2.4 km, roughly 50 minutes, with a modest elevation gain of 80 m and a descent of 40 m). Caumasee is renowned for its extraordinary beauty—so much so that it's fenced and turned into a private resort with an entry fee during the day. However, our impeccable timing allowed us to arrive exactly at 18:00, after which entrance is free! We took our time exploring around the lake, swimming, and soaking in the idyllic atmosphere. For some reasons I don't have pictures of it. Maybe it was forbidden. Anyway here is one of the thousands you can find online.
Section 4: Returning to the Parking Area
From Caumasee, it was just a short climb of about 70 meters elevation back to our starting point at the parking area. There’s also a convenient lift available near the lake entrance for those who wish to avoid the ascent. We opted for the hike, though—not just for the exercise, but because we'd recently bought our home in Eclépens eight months earlier and preferred to save wherever possible!
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