Oberalp Pass & Oberalpsee
At 2,044 metres the Oberalp Pass links Andermatt to Graubünden and cradles a glittering mountain lake — the Oberalpsee — at its foot. This is the spot where the Rhine is said to begin its long journey to the North Sea, making it one of the most quietly momentous places in all of Switzerland.
A Pass Road Like No Other
The road over the Oberalp is a classic Swiss alpine drive: tight hairpins, open moorland, snow fences and sudden views that stop you mid-breath. In summer the meadows on either side are carpeted with alpine wildflowers and marmots whistle from every rocky outcrop. The Glacier Express crosses the pass on its way between St. Moritz and Zermatt, threading through tunnels and over bridges in a journey widely described as one of the most scenic train rides in the world.
From the pass summit a small chapel marks the watershed, and on a clear day the views back down into the Urseren Valley towards Andermatt — with the Gemsstock looming above — are postcard-perfect. A short walk along the Four Springs Trail from here leads towards the source of the Rhine at Tomasee (Lai da Tuma) — a high-moor lake at 2,345 metres that is one of the most peaceful spots in the Alps.
The Oberalpsee Loop
The turquoise Oberalpsee sits just below the pass on the Uri side, easily reached on foot in under 30 minutes from the Oberalppass railway station. A gentle circuit of the lake takes about an hour and rewards with mirror reflections of the surrounding peaks — bring a picnic and stay longer than you planned.
In winter the pass plateau transforms into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing paradise, with well-marked trails and the kind of silence that only high-altitude snow country delivers. The floodlit night trail at nearby Realp adds an extra dimension for those who want to glide under the stars.
Oberalp Pass & Oberalpsee on video
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