The highlight of the town of Disentis is St. Martin's Abbey, which we'd never been in before so that was the plan, which as it turns out will have to wait another year or two because apparently they have been renovating the monastery since 2016. (History: first construction in the year 700, and refurbished in the current Baroque style in the 17th century. Cost of the renovation is about 15 million Francs)
Since we'd already come this far, we went on our planned walk, parallel to the Rhine River (here called the Vorderrhein in German and Rein Anteriur in the local Raetoromanisch language) but we only completed about 8 km before getting back on the train heading home through the Rhine Gorge, which is the site of one of the largest landslides in the World's History that happened about 10,000 years ago (we have walked the gorge trail a few years ago)
I will wait till summer again to continue on this trail, it's just more enjoyable....
Our excursion started with a train ride South along the Reuss Valley toward Göschenen. This village of Wassen is always a treat to view out of the train window |
Heading East toward the Oberalp Pass |
Along Lake Oberalpsee. The Pass is straight ahead, in the sun. And not far from there is Lake Tomasee, the source of the Rhine River |
Lake Oberalpsee at the Oberalp Pass. For now, the weather looks promising! |
Approaching Disentis, the start of our hike, with its Baroque Church, currently under renovation.This location is 900m lower than the Pass, thus less snow.... |
Not possible to view the inside of St.Martin's because of renovations |
Walking parallel to the young Rhine River, here called Vorderrhein or Rein Anteriur. This trail is part of St. James Trail, Grisons portion. |
We passed through a couple of small villages. This one, Cumpadials, was the end of the hike for us, only 8 km from Disentis. |
Antique Fire Engine on skis |
Cumpadials, Canton Graubünden (Grisons) |
We got to the station with just one minute to spare, which is how we usually manage it. |
Getting back on the Rhätian Railway train to continue toward Chur along the Rhine Gorge |
This Gorge is only accessible on foot or by train. It is the site of one of the largest landslides in the World's History |
The Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta) near Versam |
Following the Rhine River (Vorderrhein) |
The sign indicates the High Water Mark in July 1987. This is shortly before Tamins |
This was the third section of the Senda Sursilvana Trail that we have done. Both other times were also in late Fall / Winter. Next section will be in Spring, when the meadow flowers are blooming! |
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