Caumasee Switzerland Hike: Il Spir & Crestasee Trail Guide

Feature	Details
Starting Point	Flims Waldhaus or Laax
Distance	~10 km (loop)
Duration	3-4 hours
Elevation Gain	~260m
Difficulty	Easy to moderate
Best Time to Visit	May–October (for swimming); Year-round (for hiking)
Family-Friendly?	Yes, with gentle paths & funicular option

Best Seasons to Visit

Season	What to Expect
Spring	Fewer crowds, lush green landscapes
Summer	Best for swimming, lively cafés
Autumn	Stunning fall foliage, fewer tourists
Winter	Scenic snow-covered landscapes, winter hiking trails

Switzerland’s landscapes offer a variety of hiking experiences, and the trail connecting Caumasee, Il Spir, and Crestasee is a noteworthy option for those seeking a balanced day out in nature. This hike presents an opportunity to experience the Swiss outdoors, suitable for families and accessible to most. It is pram and kids friendly with little water stations to fill your water bottle everywhere.

The path is well-maintained, with clear signage. For drivers, parking is available here, and bus users coming from Chur can disembark at the Flims Waldhaus, Caumasee stop.

Caumasee: A Peaceful Start to the Hike

From the bus stop or parking area (point A on the map), follow the Caumasee Trail to the Caumasee lift. Along the way, you'll see a sign offering two directions to the lake—one leading downhill and one staying higher up. Stay on the upper path to reach the lift, where you can capture a fantastic photo of the famous Cauma Lake from above.

Take the lift down and enjoy a walk around the lake, or choose to pay for access to the swimming area (Badi). Entry to the Badi is quite pricey (around 19 CHF per person), but you don’t need to go in to experience the lake. The circular trail offers plenty of scenic spots where you can dip your toes in the water or take beautiful photos.

Outside the Badi, swimming in the lake is free. The full walk around the lake takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Before heading back, treat yourself to a snack at a nearby restaurant, then take the lift back up to the starting point.

Caumasee is also a beautiful place to visit in winter, known for its vivid colours even in the colder months.

Caumasee - Photo taken from the lift

Viewpoint Il Spir:

Reclining on a scenic bench before Il Spir, with a breathtaking view of the lush forest and distant mountains.

Continuing from Caumasee, the trail to Il Spir takes hikers through mostly forested areas, culminating at a remarkable viewpoint above the Ruinaulta, often referred to as the Swiss Grand Canyon. The Il Spir platform, designed by Corinna Menn and opened in 2006, offers breathtaking views of the gorge and the Vorderrhein river below. Its design mimics the shape of the common swift, a bird frequently spotted in the area. This viewpoint not only allows visitors to gaze upon the young gorge, carved by the Rhine through debris from the Flims Rockslide in just 10,000 years but also offers a unique perspective on a landscape that is continuously evolving. The Flims Rockslide, the largest visible rockslide on earth, dramatically altered the landscape, creating the conditions for this stunning natural wonder​​​​.

View from Il Spir over the Rhine valley

Crestasee: Concluding the Caumasee Hike

Visitors enjoy a sunny day at Crestasee, swimming and relaxing by the serene lake surrounded by lush forests.

After visiting Il Spir, the trail continues to Crestasee, marking the final stretch of this picturesque hike. Set in a peaceful location, Crestasee is famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters that mirror the nearby mountains and forests, making it a popular spot for photographers. Beyond its scenic beauty, the lake is also ecologically significant, home to a variety of rare and endangered plants and animals.

Entry costs 7 CHF for adults and 3 CHF for children. There’s a small restaurant with a kiosk that also sells sausages you can grill yourself. A bit further up the hill, you'll find a full-service restaurant.

Way back to Flims

The hike concludes with a return to Flims, rounding off a day spent in nature. If you need more information about the lake, bathing facilities, opening hours, and prices, please visit the website of the Flims township.

From Crestasee, you get this awesome view of Flims—a cute hillside village surrounded by stunning mountains and vibrant greenery, all under a bright blue sky.

Some other great hikes on your way from Zurich include the trails around Amden, leading to the viewpoint Chaps and the Seerenbach Falls.

FAQ: What Travelers Ask

1. Can you swim in Caumasee and Crestasee?

   Yes! Caumasee has a designated swimming area with paid entry, while Crestasee has a paid public beach.

2. Is this hike kid-friendly?

   Absolutely! The trail is well-maintained, with short sections between stops.

3. Are there restaurants or cafés?

   • Caumasee: Lakefront café (open in summer).

   • Crestasee: Small bistro serving local specialties.

4. Is the Il Spir viewpoint worth it?

   Yes! Panoramic views of the Swiss Grand Canyon make it a highlight.

Other Activities & Side Trips

• Rent a boat at Caumasee (€12/hr).

• Go kayaking or rafting in the Rhine Gorge.

• Extend your hike to Conn and other scenic trails in Flims.

• Stay overnight at a local wellness hotel.