Oberalp Pass

Oberalp Pass (Romansh: Alpsu or Cuolm d'Ursera, German: Oberalppass) (el. 2044 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting the cantons of Graubünden and Uri between Disentis and Andermatt.[1]

Oberalp Pass
Elevation2,044 m (6,706 ft)[1]
Traversed byRoad, rail
LocationGraubünden/Uri, Switzerland
RangeAlps
Coordinates46°39.54′N 08°40.26′E
Oberalp Pass
Location in Switzerland

Winter closure

The public road that crosses the pass is closed in winter, but the Furka-Oberalp railway line, now part of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, runs year round and provides a limited shuttle for cars in winter (reservation required). When the road closes depends on snowfall and varies between the end of October and the beginning of December. The road opens again in spring, usually by the end of April but sometimes not until mid May.[2]

In winter, a ski area extends to the Graubünden side, connecting the pass well into the Tujetsch territory to Dieni, near Rueras.[3]

Source of the Rhine river

The Rhine springs from a source nearby (Tomasee), which can be accessed by hiking two hours from Oberalp Pass. A multiday trekking route is signposted across Oberalp pass and along the young Rhine called Senda Sursilvana.[4]

Oberalpsee is located 20 m below, in the direction of Andermatt.[1]

Railway station
Main article: Oberalppass railway station

A railway station is located next to the Oberalppass road. It is at the base of the Oberalp ski area. The station is owned and run by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. It has 3 platforms, one of which is a bay platform from Andermatt, and is often closed during the winter. The railway on both sides of the station is a single line, so Oberalppass is an important passing place. The station is the highest point on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn network.

Ski Area

The Oberalp Pass passes the Oberalp ski area, which is part of the Gotthard Oberalp Arena.

There are currently plans for the ski area to be linked up with Nätschen, the neighbouring mountain, which is also part of the Gotthard Oberalp Arena.

  • Oberalp Pass
  • Oberalpsee and railway/road protection tunnel
  • Summit of the road (railway uses short tunnel)
  • Tomasee
  • Oberalp in the winter

See also

References
  1. Retrieved from the Swisstopo topographic maps.
  2. Statistic opening period of the pass (german)
  3. Swiss Ski resort Oberalp Pass and Sedrun (in English)
  4. Hiking Switzerland on Senda Sursilvana across the pass Archived March 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine (in English)
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