This is the Goms
The Goms is a peaceful high-altitude valley with historic villages, plenty of snow and long hiking trails. It lies in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland and stretches from the Rhône Glacier to Fiesch.
Discover the Goms
In the villages of the Goms, you will discover wooden houses darkened by the sun. Ernen has a well-preserved village centre and becomes a meeting place for music lovers during the «Musikdorf Ernen» festival in summer. The 1.40-metre-wide Goms Bridge allows wheelchair users to cross the Rhône at a height of up to 92 metres. In Niederwald, you can see the birthplace of César Ritz, founder of the Ritz hotels. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway takes you to almost every village.
Cross-country skiing on more than 100 kilometres of trails
The Goms is one of Switzerland’s best-known cross-country skiing areas. More than 100 kilometres of trails for classic and skating techniques connect the villages between Oberwald and Niederwald. If you get tired, the train will take you back. The 26-kilometre Rottenloipe trail is well suited to beginners. The Nordic Centre in Geschinen has a training trail and a biathlon facility.
Rhône Glacier and Furka Steam Railway
At the upper end of the Goms, the Rhône rises at the Rhône Glacier, located directly beside the Furka Pass road. It is one of Switzerland’s most easily accessible glaciers. In summer, you can walk through an ice grotto into the glacier. The Furka Steam Railway runs historic trains from Oberwald to Realp in the canton of Uri, climbing to more than 2,100 metres.
Around the Goms
At the Lengenbach quarry in the Binntal Nature Park, children can also search for sparkling stones. You can bring a hammer and chisel or rent them on site. The Gommer Höhenweg hiking trail leads across meadows and through forests. In summer, PostBus services run over the Grimsel, Furka and Nufenen passes. From Fiesch, a cable car takes you up to the Eggishorn, with views of the Great Aletsch Glacier.
Experience the Goms for less
With the paid
Gommerpass, you can travel freely for 4 or 7 days on Matterhorn Gotthard Railway trains and buses between Oberwald and Fiesch Feriendorf. In winter, these journeys are also included in the Loipe Goms cross-country ski trail ticket.
