Switzerland - Obergoms

Gluringen
Tue 6 May 2014
After a sumptuous breakfast from the goodies purchased locally yesterday and a stroll around the village we headed back to Oberwald to collect our bikes and other luggage. Of the few stations down the upper valley that are manned and can receive sent luggage, Oberwald was the closest to Gluringen, about 12km up valley.

As James did not have a bike and was heading back to his home near Luzern in the afternoon we decided to walk part of the way along the Gommer Höhenweg, a walking path that roughly follows the valley contours about 200-300m above the valley floor. We took the train about half the distance to Ulrichen and then climbed steadily to reach the path. The going was easy although in several places the spring thaw had washed away the bridges and a scramble across the plunging stream was necessary.

We reached Oberwald in the early afternoon and had a light lunch in the railway station buffet, the only place open in a village that is still rousing itself for the onset of the summer season.

Gommer Höhenweg

 

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After a final coffee we farewelled James and then went to collect our bikes and other gear. Loading the few panniers we had sent together with the gear we carried for the walk, we ceremoniously set off - the real start to our tour, albiet a short one back to Gluringen. We followed one of the Swiss bike paths, the Rhone Route that in this section closely follows the upper reaches of the Rhone river. The source of the Rhone, the Rhone Glacier, is located near the Furka Pass, just a few kilometers from Oberwald.

We were all pleased to be on the way, riding our own bikes through this magnificent countryside - and it's just the beginning!!!!

Off at last

 

 

 

 

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For more photos of our arrival and first days in Obergoms click on the Picasa link on the right side of the webpage.

Gluringen
Mon 5 May 2014
The trip to Obergoms was an adventure. In glorious sunny conditions with superb views of the Alps we were whisked along into the mountains. At one of our train changes we were joined by an old friend James Sattler who lives near Luzern before continuing on towards the Gotthard Pass. The snow covered mountains right and left were awesome as the train wound along mountainsides, across high bridges and through spiralling tunnels.

After a short section on a bus due to ongoing track work we stopped in Andermatt for a pleasant lunch in the sun before joining the Gotthard-Matterhorn train for our final leg, travelling through the 15km long Furka Pass tunnel to reach the Obergoms region. As we passed Oberwald, the first station after the tunnel, we glimpsed our bikes and luggage through the open door of the luggage centre - great to know they will be there for us when we return to collect them tomorrow.

We continued down the valley for a few stations to Gluringen where we had booked accommodation in an old farmhouse (built 1681) with views both up and down the valley. The house is a classic, quite basic in many regards although a few creature comforts (heating, hot water, toilet and shower) have been retro-fitted. The house creaks and groans as people move around (no secrets here) but after a little adjustment it's a pleasant place to stay as we make our final preparation for the 'main event'.

After settling-in we headed off to the next village (Reckingen) for some provisions and to savour the scenery.


Travel to Obergoms

 

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