Vier-Quellen-Weg
Overview
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Distance 13 km
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Duration 4 h 35 min
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Ascent 820 m
Intro
From the Oberalppass, a steep climb leads to the source of the Rhine at the Tomasee lake. After hiking through the wetlands of Val Maighels you start the climb to the Maighelspass and the idyllic Portgerensee lake. This is followed by the descent to the Vermigel Hut.
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-49/stage-1
Description
The Oberalp Pass, at 2,044 metres above sea level, provides a connection between Sedrun in Graubünden and Andermatt in the canton of Uri. It is passable with the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway all year round. A lighthouse indicates the source of the Rhine, which flows from here towards the Netherlands. A natural reservoir with a high oxygen content is ideal for fishing.
The hiking trail winds its way along the railway line through the beautiful valley, with views of the pass road's serpentines. Numerous streams flow through lush meadows. A narrow, slightly ascending path leads to Lake Toma along the mountainside. Ropes attached to the rock and warnings about falling rocks underscore the dangers in the high Alps. The clear and tranquil lake lies in a protected area. Cuckoo flowers, gentian, alpine roses, marguerites and white cotton grass grow along the path and the lake. It is well worth hiking to the very end of the lake and enjoying the reflections of the surrounding mountain peaks of Piz Tuma, Parlet, Badus and Rossbodenstock. This may be the only place where you can still cross the Rhine, which flows through four countries, with three steps.
The route continues through a small gorge, followed by a high-level trail southward and into the Val Maighels. The valley lies in a typical mountain landscape formed by glaciers with numerous moors. Human influence has never played a significant role in this valley. Despite alpine farming, the landscape has remained largely intact. Orchids, buttercups and cotton grass thrive on the lush meadows of the alluvial plain with its acidic subsoil. In summer, the cotton grass' inflorescences turn into brightly shining wool balls. The path consists of large boulder slabs in some places. The beautiful high-moor Lai Urlaun lake offers views of Piz Borel and the Maighels glacier.
The stage's highest point is reached on the stony Maighels pass, at 2,407 metres above sea level. Several small mountain lakes lie between steep, slanted rock formations. The route now descends 400 metres to the Vermigel Hut in the canton of Uri. Behind the SAC hut, the peaks of Rothorn, Rotstock and Pizzo Centrale soar high. The latter is the source of the Gotthardreuss.
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 |
Andermatt, Oberalppass
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Vermigelhütte
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
820 m
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| Descent |
820 m
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| Distance |
13 km
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| Duration |
4 h 35 min
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| Duration back |
4 h 35 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
Quick Facts
Route number
