Brambrüesch Mountain Viewpoints

For current hours, prices, and announcements, start with Rhätische Bahn (RhB).

For official information, visit Stadt Chur.

The view from the top covers the entire snowy Rhine Valley and the Swiss Alps. You will see the sun rise behind the jagged mountain ridges to the far east. This creates a very beautiful rim light on the fresh snow during the morning. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the vast and impressive scenery of the region.

Look for the small traditional mountain huts that are often covered in very deep snow. These rustic structures make excellent foreground subjects for your professional landscape photography shots. The contrast between the deep blue shadows and the warm orange light is very striking. You should check the official Chur Tourismus website for current cable car times.

Dress in several warm layers because the mountain wind can be extremely cold at dawn. The summit station sits at 1,600 meters above sea level where temperatures drop quickly. Ticket prices for a return trip usually cost between 25 and 30 Swiss Francs. Bring a sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady in the high altitude winds.

Haldenhüttli: Best Sunrise Photo Locations in Winter Chur

The Haldenhüttli is widely considered the most famous viewpoint for photographers visiting the city. It is located on a hill right on the edge of the local vineyards. This spot is one of the Best sunrise photo locations in winter Chur for cityscapes. The walk from the Old Town is short but can be quite steep for some.

You will find that this location offers one of the best panoramic views of Chur in winter. The sun rises to your left and illuminates the historic rooftops of the city. You get a very clear view of the St. Luzi Cathedral from this height. The golden light hits the church steeples first during the early morning hours.

Bring a zoom lens to capture the fine details of the historic Swiss architecture below. You can frame the church towers against the backdrop of the massive snow-covered mountains. The city lights often stay on during the early dawn in the winter months. This creates a wonderful mix of warm city glows and cool blue shadows.

The path leading up to the hut can be very icy during January and February. Wear sturdy boots with good grip to avoid slipping on the frozen forest trail. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the top from the city center. This beautiful spot is free to visit at any time of the day.

Arcas Square and Old Town Alleys

The Old Town of Chur is full of narrow and winding medieval stone streets. These alleys look truly magical when they are covered in fresh white winter snow. You should learn how to photograph Chur Old Town snow to get the best results. The morning light reaches the narrow streets around 9:00 AM each day.

Arcas Square is a perfect central location for your early morning winter photo shoot. The colorful houses surrounding the square glow beautifully in the soft and indirect light. There are no cars allowed in this historic area during the early morning hours. This makes it very easy to take clean and professional architectural photos today.

Walk toward the Plessur river to find more unique and interesting camera angles. The bridges over the water offer great views of the surrounding mountain peaks. You can often see the famous red Rhätische Bahn trains crossing the tracks nearby. These bright red trains look amazing against the white winter backdrop of Chur.

The morning light creates very long shadows on the historic cobblestone streets of the city. These shadows add a lot of depth and drama to your winter photography portfolio shots. Try to find small puddles for reflections if the fresh snow is starting to melt. The soft morning sun provides the perfect balance for high-contrast city street photography.

Essential Gear for Swiss Winter Photography

Winter photography in Switzerland requires very careful planning and some specialized camera gear. The sun rises much later in December and January in the city of Chur. You can expect the sunrise to happen between 7:45 AM and 8:15 AM. This allows you to get a bit more sleep than during the summer.

Cold weather will drain your camera batteries much faster than you might normally expect. Always carry several spare batteries inside your warm jacket close to your body heat. You should also check our guide on photography equipment for Swiss winter weather for more advice. Using a remote shutter release will help you avoid blurry morning photos.

Keep your camera gear inside a sealed plastic bag when you go back indoors. This prevents harmful condensation from forming on your expensive glass lenses and digital sensors. Rapid temperature changes can easily damage your electronic equipment if you are not careful. Let your gear warm up slowly in a cool hallway or a bag.

Use a pair of specialized photography gloves that have flip-back finger caps for better control. These keep your hands warm while you adjust your delicate camera settings in the cold. Operating small buttons with thick winter mittens is nearly impossible in freezing Swiss weather. Frostbite is a real risk when you are standing still for a long time.