One half of the Gommer High Trail

November 1, 2016 -- Here in Switzerland the 1st of November is a holiday for Catholic provinces, which includes the one where I work and the one where Urs works, so on this beautiful Tuesday we headed once again into the mountains smack dab in the center of the Alps.

The Goms Valley which stretches from the Furka Pass to Brig is a popular valley in winter for cross-country skiing as it has a wide, flat valley bottom and lots of sun. Of course there are many popular hiking trails including the Gommer High Trail, a total of 25 km along the North side of the Valley, which you can hike in two portions. This day we did the upper portion (Münster to Oberwald), 12 km in 4 hours, an easy trail on this pleasant late fall afternoon.

Interesting note: This valley is really peaceful as far as vehicle traffic goes, as the road over the Furka Pass is closed in winter and motor vehicles must load onto the train if they want to get to/from the Ursuren Valley to the Northeast.

Heading toward the Goms Valley through the Ursuren Valley near Andermatt. This cluster of homes is called Zumdorf, the smallest village in Switzerland.

Heading along the valley bottom (in the Goms Valley) toward our starting village of Münster, this is the hillside that we will be hiking. (This is the town of Geschinen)

Start of our hike in Münster, looking SW along the Goms Valley.

Typical Valais stalls converted to homes, in the village of Münster.

The hike starts with a 30-min. uphill climb to where the trail levels out for the next hour, before some more uphill.

View SW along the Goms Valley.

From just above the town of Münster (half hour uphill to the High Trail) we walked another 3.5 hours NE to Oberwald. (Total 12 km).

Gommer High Trail above Münster, about the half-way point of the entire 25-km trail. We are heading NE from Münster.

Many benches along the way where we can picnic.

View from our lunch/picnic bench.

Along the Gommer High Trail looking to the northeastern part of the valley (we are headed up valley in this direction).

Across the valley is the Nufenen Pass, probably already closed due to snow. This pass accesses the Italian part of Switzerland to the SE (also Italy across those mountains).

Along the Gommer High Trail in the Valley.

Along the Gommer High Trail in the Valley. There are lovely birch groves here, along with the yellowing larches.

Below is the airport at Ulrichen in the wide flat and sunny Goms Valley.

The Gotthard-Matterhorn Railway runs through the valley, parallel to the Rhone River.

Our destination: Oberwald (popular in winter for cross-country skiing). From here the train goes through the Furka base tunnel, and vehicles must load onto the trains.