252 Rottenweg Oberwald–Reckingen

Oberwald, situated at the foot of the two Alpine passes, the Grimsel and the Furka, is the first village in the Goms valley and the starting point of the hike. With the Grand Hotel Glacier du Rhône in Gletsch and the Belvédère viewpoint at the Furka Pass, Oberwald has been one of the pioneering communities of tourism in the Alps since 1850. The route leads along the Rhône and through meadows to Obergesteln. The view of the imposing Rhône Glacier and the surrounding peaks makes the village a particularly beautiful hiking destination.

The next village along the way is Ulrichen, which, with the Nufenen and Gries Passes, forms the gateway to the south. This charming village on the banks of the Rhône is characterised by traditional Valais architecture. For a long time, Ulrichen was virtually ‘besieged’ by the Swiss Army: until 1999, there was a military airfield here. It has since been partially dismantled and the former army site is now used for leisure activities. Among other things, this has given rise to the Nordic Centre, where cross-country skiing races of almost every category take place.