Gommer Höhenweg
Overview
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Distance 12 km
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Duration 4 h
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Ascent 680 m
Intro
This hiking path on the sunny side of the upper Rhone Valley offers fantastic views of the snow-capped peaks of the 4000 m mountains in the Valais. The trails meander through the fascinating landscape of the Obergoms with flower-covered meadows and fragrant larch forests.
Description
High above the valley, the Gommer Höhenweg (high-altitude trail) leads through the fascinating and authentic natural and cultural landscape of the Goms region. Fragrant larch trees and wide flower-covered meadows are bordering the path through the young Rhone Valley. Some of these flowers are otherwise only found in botany books. The massive Weisshorn pyramid (4505 m) towers on the horizon with other 3000 and 4000 m peaks of the Valais forming the backdrop. Small villages and sleepy hamlets with their typical sun-darkened huts are visible down in the valley.
The trail starts in Oberwald, the first village in the Goms region at the foot of Furka and Grimsel. This used to be an important Alpine trading centre. From the village the path rises through a meadow up to the edge of the forest. It crosses the track of the cog railway and enters the first larch forest. High above the valley it traverses the bridges over several mountain streams along the slope. After the Oberbach bridge it climbs a few meters up to the information board describing the panorama. Here at 1712 m is the highest point of the Gommer high-altitude trail. The chance to observe wildlife is particularly good in the forests protecting the villages in the valley against avalanches, falling rocks and landslides.
Finally, a short downhill section to reach Münster, the main town of the Goms region. With its intricate, typical Goms houses the village has gained national importance. The old larch-wood huts were built on stakes to protect them from gnawing rodents. Of course, the other villages in the Obergoms region are also worth a visit. It takes less than 30 minutes to reach the high-altitude trail from any of them. Interesting hiking options are available as the Matterhorn Gotthard railway stops at every village. Note: In its entire length, the Gommer Höhenweg leads almost 29 kilometres from Oberwald to Bellwald. The trail can be done in a 2-day tour or divided into individual stages. All stages can also be walked in the opposite direction.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Oberwald
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Münster
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| Ascent |
680 m
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| Descent |
680 m
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| Distance |
12 km
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| Duration |
4 h
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| Duration back |
4 h
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view
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| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
Quick Facts
Route number
