Cross-country skiing

Trainingsloipe Rhonequelle

Wald, Loipe, Schnee, Himmel, Langläufer/In

Obergoms

-2/5°

Push your limits on the Rhonequelle Trainingsloipe 200-metre elevation gain

Difficulty

Difficult

Length

6.17 km

Duration

1:35 h

Description

Located on the pass road (seasonally closed to traffic) leading up to the Grimsel and Furka, the Rohnequelle Trainingsloipe offers a three kilometre-long cross-country ski track with an altitude gain of almost 200 metres. Complete concentration is required when skiing this steep black track which leads through a snow-covered mountain forest and is the ideal route for testing one's fitness levels with steep climbs that really get the heart rate up. The downhill section is equally far from relaxing. For those seeking an even greater challenge, the Rohnequelle Trainingsloipe can easily be combined with the black Trainingsloipe Obergoms or/and the Trainingsloipe Grafschaft which also belong to the over 100 km-long Loipe Goms network.

Turn-by-turn directions

The Trainingsloipe Rhonequelle begins at the church in Oberwald and heads toward Gletsch. As part of the route is also used as a winter hiking path, you may encounter walkers here. The trail follows the pass road, with a wonderful atmosphere surrounded by snow-covered mountains and trees. After the first hairpin turn, pass under the bridge of the steam railway, which operates in summer and autumn. Shortly after this, the final, slightly steeper ascent begins. Once you reach the Rhonequelle Hotel, enjoy the descent back to Oberwald, letting your cross-country skis glide with ease.

Start

Oberwald, village (1368m)

Destination

Oberwald, Hotel Rhonequelle (1368m)

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Author's recommendation

With a valid Loipe Goms Loipepass, you can travel for free on the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway between Oberwald and Fiesch – even without cross-country skiing equipment.

Technical information

Altitude

1564m

1368m

Ascent

+196m

Descent

-196m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

By train from Monthey, Martigny, Sion, Sierre und Visp: Exit in Brig. Then take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn regional train (R43). After 1h23, exit the train in Oberwald.

The Goms valley is also easily accessible from Zurich / Lucerne via the Andermatt- Furka tunnel.

Relevant timetables for all connections can be found at www.sbb.ch

Approach

From Brig follow cantonal road No 19 (Furkastrasse) for 40 km to Oberwald.

The Goms valley is also easily accessible from Zurich / Lucerne via Andermatt – Furka car transport.

The Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen Alpine passes are closed in winter.

Relevant timetables for the Furka car transport can be found at www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch

Parking

Parking spaces near the cross-country ski track are available around the railway station or in the village of Oberwald. Follow the local parking guidance system.

Equipment

We recommend:

Good cross-country skiing equipment
Suitable clothing depending on the weather (waterproof and windproof) warm clothing
Hat or cap
Sunglasses
Hydratation
Good sun protection, even in cloudy weather. UV rays at high altitudes can be very strong, especially in winter.

Safety information

The Goms cross-country ski trail network is open from 9am to 4pm. The use of the trails is at your own risk. Obergoms Tourismus AG and Loipe Goms disclaim all liability and assume no responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information on this website.

Be considerate towards other cross-country skiers. Every cross-country skier, especially on downhill runs, must adapt speed and behaviour to his/her skill and the current visibility. On the classic and free skating tracks always overtake skiers on the right hand side with an appropriate safety distance. If you stop, step out of the cross-country skiing slope.
The winter sports report keeps you informed about the current conditions (avalanche danger, cross-country skiing, winter hiking trails, snow trails and road conditions).
Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals. Do not leave any waste in nature, take with you waste from others.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential.
Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger, especially the danger of avalanches.
Assistance in case of accidents is a matter of course. To alert the rescue service, dial No. 144

Additional information

Winter sports report at http://www.goms.ch/en/winter-sports-report
Timetables www.sbb.ch
Telephone number rescue service: 144
Winter hikers, snowshoe hikers and dogs are not allowed to enter the cross-country skiing slopes.

Literature

You will find the following brochures in the tourist information offices, at the sales points of the Loipe Goms as well as in most hotels and restaurants in Obergoms: