Rhein-Reuss-Rhône route: Disentis - Oberalp Pass

  • Tip
  • 23.49 km long
  • Difficulty: difficult
  • Condition: very difficult
  • Great panorama
  • Pilgrimage route
  • 6:40 h
  • 23.49 km
  • 1,370 m
  • 487 m
  • 1,135 m
  • 2,158 m
  • Difficulty: difficult
  • Start: Disentis at the monastery
  • Destination: Oberalp Pass at the station

The Rhein-Reuss-Rhône route connects the Graubünden Surselva to the vicinity of Lake Geneva. From the start in Disentis, over the Oberalp and Furka passes to the Valais Goms, we are traveling in the mountains at over 1000 m.

 The Disentis monastery was the first major work of Caspar Moosbrugger at the end of the 17th century, who later built the Einsiedeln monastery. A perfectly staged opulent Baroque with numerous altars, a large organ, and Jugendstil-like ceiling paintings framed in stucco praise heaven on earth to the faithful.

Through well-maintained meadows and small charming hamlets with chapels, where the pilgrim saint James is repeatedly remembered in details, the route follows the Way of St. James into the partly wooded gorge to Sedrun. Here the Graubünden Way of St. James turns north towards Lake Lucerne. Johann Ritz, a famed sculptor from Goms, worked on the altars of the Vigilius Church. We briefly cross the Rhine side and go right through the golf course to Tschamut. Elevated on the sunny slope we reach the Oberalp Pass along the railway line. The lighthouse near the Rhine’s source welcomes us to a well-deserved rest at the pass, for example at the Gasthof Piz Calmot

Pilgerwege Schweiz
Pilgerwege Schweiz

Good to know

Pavements

Street (22%)
Asphalt (5%)
Trail (40%)
Path (32%)

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Tour information

  • Culturally interesting

  • Refreshment stop

Equipment

On this alpine route to Goms, frosty and windy conditions are possible even outside the winter months. Good weather protection is therefore doubly important.

Additional information

Further information and links are contained in the POIs (Points Of Interest).

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

The Oberalp Pass is closed to hikers in winter! However, it is accessible by the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway (MGB). We walk parallel to the railway. Every 3 km there is a station where we can get on or off.

For overnight stays at the Oberalp Pass, we have suggested an accommodation, but there are also several others. It is important to make a reservation, otherwise, it could be a cold night.