Walserweg Gottardo

The Walser immigration from Valais and the Urseren Valley to the Surselva occurred via the Oberalp Pass, where the path described also runs downwards. From the Alpine crossing with its striking lighthouse – it symbolises the origin of the Rhine and is a popular tourist attraction – first you follow a hiking trail that runs parallel to the road and railway. This section is also partly used as a bike route. Still following the course of the valley, the path meanders over alpine pastures and along the Vorderrhein towards the hamlet of Tschamut. This uppermost part of the valley was developed and settled by Walser people who immigrated from the Urseren Valley. The name Z’mut means “on the hill” and testifies to the origins of the settlers. You pass the Selva residential area via the Sedrun golf course. It has Walser roots and was long known as Selvanigen or “in the wood”. Two disasters shaped the village life: in the winter of 1808, there were many deaths in an avalanche. In July 1949, the place was almost completely destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt thanks to a nationwide fundraising campaign.

Narrow dirt roads continue to follow the young Rhine. Opposite Rueras, which means “rockfall” in Walser German, an amazing playground on the river bank invites you to take a break. The theme at hand – as with other installations along the way – is the construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel. The path to Surrein runs through the steep forest opposite Sedrun. From a vantage point, it is clear how construction work and the depositing of material excavated from the tunnel have changed the landscape. From Sedrun, there is access to the base tunnel via a lift that is 900 metres deep. The Porta Alpina project, whereby this multifunctional point was also intended to be used as a tourist stop, was not realised.

Depending on the weather, you can cool off in the Lag da Claus swimming lake, or just take a break on one of the wooden loungers. Then endurance is called for once again: a climb of over 300 metres awaits you. You cross the Rein da Nalps gorge on the surfaced road and come to Cavorgia. Back on the hiking trails, a wide panoramic view of the Val Medel opens up when you reach the shoulder above Curaglia. The descent through the steep forest ends at Mutschnengia. The picturesque settlement was founded by Walsers in the 14th and 15th centuries. The suspension bridge that spans the adjacent gorge is spectacular. This stage ends in Curaglia, not quite as impressively, but comfortably, along wide hiking trails and goods roads.