Explore the forest in the treetops of Laax

Laax, June 15, 2021. Starting this summer, visitors will be able to experience the Laax forest from a whole new perspective. On July 11, 2021, the world's longest treetop walk, the "Senda dil Dragun," will open. At five adventure stations, visitors will learn interesting facts about the nature of this unique landscape. The walk also connects the two districts of Laax Murschetg and Laax Dorf.

After around a year of construction, the time has come – the "Senda dil Dragun," the world's longest treetop walkway, will welcome visitors from July 11, 2021. Stretching 1.56 kilometers and reaching heights of between two and 28 meters, it offers a unique nature experience for the whole family.

With this trail, the municipality of Laax is investing in infrastructure for sustainable year-round tourism: "In recent years, we have undertaken targeted projects to increase the attractiveness of the area as a place to live and do business," says Mayor Franz Gschwend. The "Senda dil Dragun," or Dragon Trail, is a flagship project. Gschwend estimates its value creation potential at five million Swiss francs.

Augmented reality combines nature with a digital experience
Visitors can access the treetop walk via one of the two entrance towers in Laax Murschetg and Laax Dorf. The walk is wheelchair accessible, making it suitable for people with physical disabilities and families with strollers. On one tower and four platforms, guests can learn exciting facts about the landscape formed by the Flims rockslide, the plants and animals found in the forest, and how the region was settled. Visitors can also learn how tourism has developed in Laax.

State-of-the-art technology is combined with the experience of nature to convey information, which is presented separately for children and adults. Visitors can access the information in augmented reality (AR) using a tablet provided. Children meet the narrator Ami Sabi, who appears as an AR character in the real world and guides them through the story with his friends. He relies on the children's help to do this. They embark on an adventure and thus become an active part of the story. This interactive part will be available to young guests from autumn onwards.

The adults meet the well-known actor Andrea Zogg as the narrator, who also appears as an AR character in the real world and conveys information either in images or through his voice-over narration. The topics are also illustrated using a 3D topology model.

Sustainably built with wood from the region
The "Senda dil Dragun" aims to be not only the longest treetop walkway in the world and a unique nature experience, but also an educational trail to raise awareness of nature. This is entirely in line with Greenstyle, an initiative of the Weisse Arena Group dedicated to the development and protection of the environment in the tourist destination.

The entire path was constructed using local wood. Companies from the region were commissioned to carry out the construction work. Only the two lifts in the entrance towers in Murschetg and Dimplaun and the slide in the Murschetg tower were supplied from outside the region.

From the outset, district forester Maurus Cavigelli oversaw the project as project manager, from the initial idea to its implementation. It was important to him that the project was in harmony with the environment and took into account the protection of nature, forests, and animals. "We therefore chose the most natural route for the trail," says Cavigelli. "We wanted to minimize deforestation and impact on nature as much as possible."

130,000 visitors targeted
The municipality of Laax is the developer of the project. It is investing CHF 7.5 million in the construction of this trail. The treetop walk is operated by the Weisse Arena Group, which has signed a 25-year operating agreement with the municipality. "With the treetop walk, we are creating sustainable added value not only for our guests, but also for the local population and the entire region," says Reto Gurtner, President of the Weisse Arena Group.

The Sagogn-Laax forestry/works group will be responsible for maintaining the path. However, the "Senda dil Dragun" is not only important to the municipality as a tourist attraction. In addition to the targeted 130,000 visitors per year, the treetop path also provides a fast, sustainable, and car-free connection between the two parts of the village, Laax Dorf and Laax Murschetg.