Traversed by Road, rail Range Alps | Elevation 2,044 m | |
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Location Graubünden/Uri, Switzerland Similar Furka Pass, Alps, Gotthard Pass, Lukmanier Pass, Glacier Express | ||
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.
Contents
- Map of Oberalp Pass 7189 Tujetsch Switzerland
- Winter closureEdit
- Source of the Rhine riverEdit
- Railway stationEdit
- Ski AreaEdit
- References
Map of Oberalp Pass, 7189 Tujetsch, Switzerland
Winter closureEdit
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.
In winter, a ski area extends to the Graubünden side, connecting the pass well into the Tujetsch territory to Dieni, near Rueras.
Source of the Rhine riverEdit
The Rhine springs from a source nearby (Tomasee), which is marked by a working lighthouse. A multiday trekking route is signposted across Oberalp pass and along the young Rhine called Senda Sursilvana.
Oberalpsee is located 20 m below, in the direction of Andermatt.
Railway stationEdit
Oberalppass 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.
Regional trains to Andermatt and Disentis/Mustér are operated hourly in each direction, with additional services to and from Andermatt at peak times during the ski season. The station also has several Glacier Express trains and, during the winter season when the adjacent road is closed, car shuttle trains passing through each day. The station has a waiting room. The station is the highest point on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn network.
Ski AreaEdit
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.