The Swiss mountain resort of Flims and Laax, just a 20-minute drive from Graubünden’s capital Chur, is hugely popular with couples and families alike, especially in wintertime. But once the snow has melted, kilometres of hiking trails and Instagramable lakes are revealed, this area transforms into a great summer destination.
What is excellent about Flims, and its neighbour, Laax, in the summer, is that there is something for everyone, not just nature lovers.
Want an adventure vacation? Flims has your high adrenaline sports covered. Want a long list of fun, children-friendly activities? Flims has plenty. Want fine alpine cuisine? Flims and its surrounding areas have plenty of options to satisfy the most decerning foodie. Want a romantic couples retreat? Flims is big enough that both couples and families feel right at home.
Flims and Laax for Hikers
Come Summer, Flims and Laax become a paradise for hikers. With over 250 kilometres of hiking trails suiting all ages and abilities, you will find a path your travel group will love. Here are just a few that we loved:
Child-Friendly Hiking in Flims
If you have young kids in tow, you will want a hiking path that grabs their attention and entices them to keep on walking – Connbächli to the rescue. Starting close to the Flims Waldhuus car park, even the stubbornest child will keep on walking as they follow their boat along the six-kilometre long irrigation channel. Tip: BYO your boat, purchase a wooden one at the tourist information/mountain stations or DIY it with sticks, string and your swiss army knife. Your reward at the end of it? The Swiss Grand Canyon, delicious Restaurant Conn and perhaps a horse carriage ride back (bookings a must).
Gentle Hike from Flims
Our first hike in this area to get the legs working was a gentle walk just above the village of Flims, starting in Fidaz. We reached the trail by bus and then walked through the forest and along fields ending at Berghaus Foppa, where we took the chairlift down to Flims. This path is more manageable if starting in reverse from Foppa, with most of the trail a gentle descent.
Round-trip hike from Laax to Flims
For the more experienced hiking legs, including a dose of geological history, head up to Segnesboden. From here, the UNESCO heritage Sardona Tectonic Arena reveals the creation of the alps. While there are many ways up, I suggest starting this hike with a yellow “Postauto” bus from Laax to Alp Nagens, getting off at Restaurant Stalla. Stop for a coffee and a homemade tart before following the signs up to Segnesboden. Your path continues along a gentle ridge trail down to Cassons. On the chairlift down to Flims, stop at Restaurant Foppa for lunch. I recommend their schnitzel! You can also hike this trail in reverse!
Hiking Flims for Foodies
While I have yet to participate myself, I am very intrigued by the very idea of a hike that combines stops at a variety of mountain restaurants to taste their specialities!
Not sure what to wear? Our complete Switzerland summer packing guide has
you covered.
Flims and Laax When it Rains
Summer in Switzerland isn’t always sunshine and swimming temperatures. Some days it pours. But never fear; Flims and Laax are prepared for that eventuality and have plenty to entertain everyone when the skies open up, or when you need something a little slower paced.
Movie Cinema in Flims
Yup! In The Hide Hotel right on Flim’s main street, Flims has its own cinema! (in the Stenna centre shopping mall). The four-room cinema has everything you expect when wanting to watch a movie: comfortable tiered seating, popcorn and the latest movies, sometimes even in English. But a word of warning, films aimed at the kids are almost always in German.
Mini Golf + Indoor Toddler Playground Flims
Also located within the Stenna Center, you will find an indoor mini-golf course and an unsupervised indoor playroom and cafe ideal for those with young kids.
Laax Freestyle academy
For those with energy to burn, head to the Freestyle Academy indoor park in Laax with its trampolines and a big indoor skate park. An introductory safety course is required, bookable in advance. Note: Usually located by the Rocks Resort, the Freestyle park is currently under renovation and has moved to a circus tent at the Sportszentrum Pran La Selra in Flims until 2024.
Flims and Laax for Families
In addition to great wet weather/indoor activity options and plenty of flat hiking paths, Flims and Laax have plenty to offer for a Swiss summer family vacation. From child-friendly hotels to summer camps, great swimming, biking, and scooter options.
Walk in the trees
The newest addition to Laax is the “Senda dil dra Gun” treetop walk which connects Laax Murschetg and the Rocks Resort with Laax Dorf. Despite interesting learning points along the path, the highlight for my kids was the 73-meter long slide.
Pump Tracks & Outdoor Freestyle Parks
Both Flims and Laax have outdoor pump tracks, so bring your bikes and scooters. The one in Laax by the Rocks Resort is the larger of the two and requires a ticket. For those seeking a large adrenline hit, head above Laax, to Galaaxy Park at 2252m above sea level. Here you will find another track, but also ninja warrior style course, airbags and trampolines
Mountain Biking for Kids
The Freestyle Academy runs summer and autumn camps for those who want up their biking skills (schedule dependent). They start them young here, with camps beginning at three years. For the experienced biking family, Flims and Laax is home to the famous downhill Inka trail, but it is not for the faint-hearted. There are also many flattish paths around the Caumasee area that are great for bikers who like their rides less adrenaline-inducing.
Childcare in Flims and Laax
For those with younger kids, aged 1-4, who want the option of daycare, you will feel right at home in Flims and Laax. At its Laax location, sessions run daily in high season and Thursday through Sunday when things are quieter. Bookings must be made no later than 4 pm the day before, with both half-day and full-day options available.
Other family-friendly options
There are plenty of other family-friendly activities in Flims and Laax: Follow the clues on a Foxtrail, or try skills in the Archery Park.
Children-Friendly Flims/Laax Accommodation
In Laax, families will love The Rocks Resort, which Ellen has reviewed here. In Flims, we rent an apartment and dream of staying in the exclusive Waldhuus resort one day.
Swimming in Flims and Laax
It’s summer in Switzerland, so you will want to cool down in one of those 1000s of lakes we’ve all raved about. And lucky for you, Flims is home to one of the pretty lakes in Switzerland. But swimming in the Caumasee is not your only option.
Caumasee
Caumasee is not just a pretty picture. Cool down here after a hike or bike ride, or come to laze by its shores for the entire day. But a word of warning, this is one famous lake, so on a sunny day expect crowds at the ticket office and car parks (which are a decent walk from the lake) to fill up quickly.
Crestasee
Crestasee is a little less Insta famous, but it has become a more and more popular alternative to its often heaving neighbour. It costs to swim here too, and the car park is also a moderate walk away from its shores.
Laaxersee
But you don’t always have to walk far for a cool down. Conveniently in the middle of Laax Dorf you will also find a lake with facilities and a restaurant. But with limited shade, I highly recommend to BYO umbrella if you want to make a day of it.
Day trips from Flims and Laax
As Flims and Laax are just 15 minutes from the autobahn, they are great places to explore this corner of Graubünden. While most of these trip suggestions are made easier with a car, most are reachable by public transport.
City Trip
Take a day trip to Graubünden’s capital Chur, with its beautiful old town, great Saturday farmers market and impressive church. You’ve got great shopping here and a variety of food options too. I could sit with coffee and cake at Kaffee Klatsch all morning.
Nature Wonder
A short drive further along the Autobahn is the Viamala Gorge,great for a visit, no matter the weather. Although a word of warning, this is not a full day trip, but rather an hour or so activity. To make the visit to the gorge more interesting, kids can participate in a treasure hunt. Parking is minimal, so do expect to end up in the village of Thusis. From there just grab a bus to the gorge from the train station. We did just that and afterwards enjoyed lunch and a walk around town.
Shopping Trip
Not far away from Flims is the Landquart Outlet Mall. While a lot more low key and pricer than the outlet malls of America, it has a similar vibe. We picked up a great deal of my favourite towel brand Möwe!
Other day trips that I have on my list for our next stay include:
-
- A visit to Heidi in Maienfeld, and while you are there, check out the local vineyards.
- A train ride through the Rhein Gorge
- Take a train ride on the UNESCO heritage listed route Thusis to Tirano.
