Anterior Rhine Valley - Switzerland (Droneflight)

Описание: Anterior Rhine (Vorderrhein), is the left of the two initial tributaries of the Rhine (the other being the Hinterrhein). It is longer than the Hinterrhein, but has a lower discharge than the latter at their confluence, which marks the beginning of the Alpine Rhine section.

The Vorderrhein and nearly all of its tributaries are located in the Swiss canton of Grisons (Graubünden), with the largest communities along the river being Disentis and Ilanz. One of its upper tributaries, the Rein da Medel, rises in the canton of Ticino.

The Vorderrhein flows mostly in an east-northeast direction, through the Surselva, a large longitudinal valley. Its north side is steep, with short valleys; the southern side, however, is divided by some long valleys (similarly to the situation in the canton of Valais further west). Consequently, its main tributaries, the Rein da Sumvitg, the Glenner and the Rabiusa, all come from the south, or right side of the Vorderrhein. In its lower course, the Vorderrhein flows through the Flims Rockslide, giving rise to the canyon country of the Ruinaulta (See my other dronevideo about this area). Near Reichenau, it joins the Hinterrhein to form the Alpine Rhine, which continues to Lake Constance (Bodensee).

Thanks to its attractive scenery and some interesting passages, the Vorderrhein is a popular river for paddling and rafting, especially the section between Ilanz and Versam.

Along entire length of the Vorderrhein there are two narrow-gauge railway lines. The Reichenau-Tamins–Disentis/Mustér railway is served by the Rhätische Bahn between Chur and Disentis/Mustér. From Disentis, the Furka-Oberalp line, served by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, runs over the Oberalp Pass to Andermatt (canton of Uri) and onwards to Brig (canton of Valais).

In the Ruinaulta area, the main road runs to the north of the river, and at its highest point, at Flims, it is about 480 metres (1,575 ft) above the Rhine.

The Senda Sursilvana, a hiking trail, leads from the Oberalp Pass along the Vorderrhein in the direction of Chur.

In the Vorderrhein you can also find gold. In the past goldnuggets have been found.