Winter Hike along the Senda Sursilvana Trail from Sedrun to Disentis

Thursday December 8, 2022 -- In the Catholic Cantons of Switzerland, this day was a holiday, so another chance for us for an excursion. We chose well this time, heading right to the center of the Alps to the Surselva Region of Canton Graubünden, where the Rhine River has its source.

This was our first snow hike of the season, one which we did several years ago but which was worth doing again, because there is a lot of sunshine here in winter. The trail here from Sedrun to Disentis is part of the "Senda Sursilvana" and is a prepared winter trail  considered to be THE classic winter hike in this region. It was a 10 kilometer walk which under normal circumstances would take 2.5 hours, but walking on snow, even when the trail is prepared, takes longer.

It was minus 3 degrees, so we had stockings and long underwear under our jeans, but at times it was too warm that way! But in the shadows we were glad for it.

We had another day of spectacular visibility, and considering that it was a holiday, there were relatively few people on the train. (Most of the ski lifts in the area are not yet operational). Besides the lovely walk, the train trip there and back from Andermatt over the Oberalp Pass with the popular Gotthard-Matterhorn train was spectacular as well. (Unfortunately, my camera cannot capture the white of the snow in the shadow areas, so those photos are all blue!)

(Side note: Here are two of my blog entries for hikes around the Oberalp Pass, which show the region without snow:  HERE and HERE)

A look down at the city of Andermatt in the Urseren Valley, as we head up to the Oberalp Pass at 9:30 in the morning

Wonderful sunshine up at the Oberalp Pass. We were alone in our wagon, and because some of the trains which run on the Gotthard-Matterhorn railway line are still the old ones with windows you can open, I spent most of the time leaning out the window!

Emerging from the avalanche gallery as we now head east down the Surselva Valley. This view is toward the Oberalp Pass. The Rhine River has its source here, at Lake Toma in the dip in the mountains at the center. 

Another look behind us at the village of Selva, in shadow for several weeks in winter!

The trees are so beautiful covered in snow like this! Since the sun doesn't reach here, the snow doesn't melt. 

Approaching the town of Sedrun where we are starting on our approx. 3-hour walk. The valley is wider here and the villages get more sunshine. 

Some additional interesting information about the Sedrun-Disentis Trail which we are walking this day. 

10:30 start at the train station in Sedrun, with the first glimpse of some of the fabulous peaks around here. 

Walking through Sedrun, admiring the houses and Christmas decorations!

Town of Sedrun

Admiring the houses in Sedrun

Another look past the town of Sedrun toward the mountains near the Oberalp Pass. From here we head east on our 10-km winter walk. 

The 10-km trail from Sedrun to Disentis (no.258) is the Classic Winter Hike in this part of the Surselva Valley

Crossing the railway viaduct east of Sedrun

Another look back toward the west, toward the Oberalp Pass

The snow on the prepared trail was dry and exactly what one would expect from a winter walking trail (not melted, soft or icy)

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There were many benches along the trail, and when we stopped for lunch, we checked the train schedule: There was a train leaving Sedrun right around that time and coming our way. So I waited for it, to capture it on video. (Also, you can see Urs sitting on the bench on the right).

Enjoying our winter snow hike with lots of sunshine and clear views of the mountains

Entering the village of Mumpé Tujetsch

For such a small chapel, there were some really fascinating details inside! Especially the medieval lock system on the door.

The winter trail no.258 is aptly named "Sedrun-Disentis Trail". In summer it is part of the St.James Trail no.43 and the "Senda Sursilvana " trail no.85. 

Our first glimpse of the city of Distentis, where we will end out hike. The large 1400-year-old Benedictine Monastery is a dominant landmark of this city. 

Down below is the train station for the village of Segnas, which is actually not near the station. 

On the other side of the Rhine River is the small village of Mumpé Medel at the entrance of the side valley called Medel Valley, which we have yet to discover. 

A detour off the main trail to visit the village of Medel. I was impressed with the very clear definition of "sunny side" and "shady side" of this tree!

A look back toward the village of Segnas as we continue on to Disentis

More lovely houses

A look behind us, this time into the Segnas Valley

Oh look, we found another shop selling cheese and home-made ice cream! But only bought the cheese this time. 

Heading South. Across from us on the other side of the Rhine River is the Medel Valley, which you can travel to the Lukmanier Pass (Passo di Lucomagno). 

On the outskirts of the city of Disentis

A short and shady ravine before reaching Disentis

For Urs, any train bridge, tunnel or viaduct is fascinating

Passing the San Gions parish church, but had no time to look into it, as we really wanted to get on the 2:15 train, and it was now 2:05!! It apparently also has an interesting Baroque interior. I'm looking forward to checking it out another time. 

We were greeted with a lovely rendition of a Christmas carol as we passed this beautiful Carillon next to the church.  

This is the second time we walke the Sedrun-Disentis section in winter. We have hiked various sections between Andermatt and Disentis (and further east), with several visits to Lake Toma (Lai da Tuma / Tomasee), the source of the Posterior Rhine River. 

We were finished with our walk relatively early and boarded the train at 2:15 p.m., which was intentional as we didn't want to be caught in an early sundown again, and were hoping for some sunshine for the train ride back over the Oberalp Pass to Andermatt. The train ride back to Andermatt was just as magnificent as the ride to Sedrun and our 3-hour walk....

Traveling in winter is best when the trees are all covered in snow!

Heading back toward Sedrun

Going over the train viaduct which we had crossed on foot about four hours earlier

A look back at Sedrun and the Rhine Valley where we did our 3-hour walk, as the train now heads up toward the Oberalp Pass

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On the train heading West from Sedrun

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The beautiful snow-covered trees in the very narrow and shady Surselva Valley, on the way to the Oberalp Pass

Here and there a bit of sunshine in this otherwise shady valley!

Approaching the village of Selva, still in shadow!

Passing the fabulous Curnera Dam, where we did one of our most spectacular hikes in September 2021, those photo are HERE

Just before the Oberalp Pass. The valley on the right leads up to Lake Toma, which is the source of the Rhine River. We have hiked here many times. 

And now we are heading West toward the Ursuren Valley and Andermatt. It's 3 p.m., and there is a lot of sun up here. This is a large skiing region, but the cable-ways weren't in operation yet, so good for us, as there were only a few people "on the road". 

A look back toward the Oberalp Pass

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The sunny stretch from the Oberalp Pass down to the city of Andermatt:

Final approach to Andermatt. 3:15 p.m, and the sun will disappear soon. This is also one of our favourite valleys.

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Heading through the Schöllenen Gorge by Train on the way down to the Reuss Valley. 

Location of the Andermatt-OberalpPass-Disentis region in the heart of the Swiss Alps

Winter Walk from Sedrun to Disentis in the Surselva Valley

(This post published on February 6, 2025)

Sunday January 24, 2016 -- Sunday afternoon walk. We thought we should try to get in one winter mountain walk this winter, as the weather is still relatively mild and even when it snows, is melts quite quickly again. 

The Surselva Valley runs along the top of the Alps in a SW to NE direction, and it's here where the Rhine River has its source. The Oberalp Pass Road is closed to vehicle traffic in winter and some of the small towns here can only be reached with the Gotthard-Matterhorn train in winter, if coming from the west. 

We walked from Sedrun to Disentis (well-known for its monastery dated to 720), a popular winter trail and easy 2½ to 3-hour walk on prepared walking trails. It was a pleasant walk with mild temperatures, although I would have liked more sunshine!

A look down at the town of Andermatt and the Urseren Valley as the Gotthard-Matterhorn train ascends toward the Oberalp Pass. This is on the west side of the Oberalp Pass

Stunning snow-covered landscape.

Here the train descends into the Surselva Valley on the east side of the Oberalp Pass. In the center at the back is where the Rhine River has its source.

South of the valley at the village of Tschamut, we get a look at this fabulous dam at Lake Curnera. 

Tschamut is one of the villages that can only be accessed by train in winter, if you are coming from Andermatt, as the Oberalp Pass is closed in winter. 

Cute little church along the way. 

We got to Sedrun at just after 11:20. The walk to Disentis usually takes about 2½ hours, but in winter somewhat longer.  

A train from the Gotthard-Matterhorn railway passes us as we start on our walk toward Disentis. 

The winter trail from Sedrun to Disentis is 9 kilometers and takes from 2½ to 3 hours to walk. 

Shortly after Sedrun we cross this fabulous railway viaduct. It is called Bugnei Viaduct. This viaduct has been in use since 1926. 

The Bugnei Viaduct was built between 1913 and 1925. The bridge is 120 meters long. There are nine 10-meter arches.  

The winter walking trail runs parallel to the railway line, and along the way, several trains passed us in both directions. 

A really nice prepared walking trail between Sedrun and Disentis. We are just reaching the village of Mumpé-Tujetsch. 

Lovely old Walser houses along the way. 

The village of Mumpé-Tujetsch

We are walking along the valley trail called "Senda Sursilvana" (Trail no.85), as well as the St.James trail through Graubünden (Trail no.43).  

Urs bought some local honey here!

More beautiful houses. 

Around the corner from Mumpé Tujetsch, we get the first look at our destination, the city of Disentis. Before getting there, we will pass through the small village of Segnas on the left, whose train staion is in the middle of the pasture below!

Another train is just entering the Segnas train station, on the way to the Oberalp Pass

The little red train looks so cute within the white landscape. 

According to the description of this winter trail, the three mountains on the left are a distinctive trio reminiscent of the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau Trio of the Bernese Oberland. 

That livestock guardian dog is looking comfortable with his charges!

Walking through the village of Segnas with its lovingly-restored Walser houses.  

Far to the south we can see the Medel Glacier. The village in the foreground is on the south side of the Rhine River and at the entrance to the Medel Valley, where there is a road that goes over the Lukmanier Pass. The village is called Mumpé Medel. 

Another lovely sight of the next red train heading toward the Oberalp Pass. 

We got to the Disentis train station at 2:30 p.m., after just over three hours of walking. This is a cute clock hanging on the station wall.

This is what our 9-km walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps. 

From Disentis we took the train to Chur (instead of back via Andermatt), which includes an impressive ride through the Rhine Gorge. 

Beautiful carved cliffs in the Rhine Gorge. 10,000 years earlier there was one of the world's largest rock slides here, and over all that time, the Rhine River has carved out this gorge.