Rhine Route: 1st stage Andermatt - Disentis

Tip
31.84 km long
Difficulty: medium
Condition: medium
Great panorama
racing bike
The source of the Rhine originates in the Oberalp area near the pass. In Val Tujetsch lies one of the richest mineral deposits in the Alps as well as the monastic village of Disentis.

The Rhine Route follows the Alpine river from its source at Lake Toma on the Oberalp Pass to the large Rhine harbors of Basel. On varied paths, the ride takes you through many landscapes shaped by this powerful river over time. 

The cycling route starts in the tourist village of Andermatt at 1444 m.a.s.l. and leads up the Oberalp Pass road first to Nätschen. Here you have a fantastic view of the Ursern Valley surrounded by an impressive barren mountain landscape. At Nätschen, you then pass lush green meadows, streams, and the Oberalpsee reservoir. At the top, at the Oberalp Pass, the lake invites you to cool down before starting the descent to Disentis. On the ride down the winding pass road, you cycle along beautiful alpine scenery surrounded by an impressive mountain range. Passing many small idyllic villages, you then reach the monastic village of Disentis. 

  • 1:50 h
  • 31.84 km
  • 608 m
  • 914 m
  • 1,130 m
  • 2,044 m
  • 914 m
  • Start: Andermatt train station
  • Destination: Disentis train station

Good to know

Pavements

Street
Asphalt

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Tour information

  • Nature Highlight

  • Stop at an Inn

  • Summit

Equipment

  • Clothing appropriate for the weather
  • Drink and provisions 

  • Bicycle light

Directions & Parking facilities

Andermatt is very well accessible from all four directions in summer and is therefore a pleasant starting point.

There is a large parking lot directly behind the train station in Andermatt.

Andermatt is the connecting point of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway and is therefore easily accessible by train. The timetable is as follows: SBB timetable

Additional information

Author

Andermatt-Urserntal Tourismus GmbH

Organization

Ferienregion Andermatt

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

  • Schöllenenschlucht and Devil's Bridge near Andermatt
  • Photo stop at the lighthouse on the Oberalp Pass
  • Rhine source Tomasee
  • Disentis monastery

Safety guidelines

  • The Oberalp Pass is closed in winter. 
  • Cyclists should keep an eye on the weather forecast in advance, as parts of the route are above 2000 m.a.s.l. and there may be light snowfall in extreme cases. 
  • Note the weather forecasts. In the Alps, weather can change rapidly. 

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