Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Vier-Quellen-Weg
Andermatt, OberalppassFurkapass, Belvédère
- Distance
- 82.0 km
- Duration
- –
- Ascent
- 4700 m
- Descent
- 4400 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
The Vier-Quellen-Weg (Four Headwaters Trail) in the Gotthard Massif leads to the sources of four rivers: the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and Rhone. A tour through an exceptional Alpine landscape with a wide diversity of fauna, flora and witnesses to a historic past.
The roughly 80-kilometre multi-day tour begins at Oberalppass railway station. Right from the start, the mountain trail climbs through open pastures to Lai da Tuma and runs directly along its shore. Beyond the lake, the terrain becomes increasingly barren. Passing the Vermigelhütte, the route continues to its highest point near the Giübin at around 2,750 m.
The descent leads past Lago della Sella to the Gotthardpass. From there, broad high plateaus, scree and long valley slopes define the route towards the Bedrettotal. Marked white-red-white, the mountain trail demands considerable stamina, with a total ascent of around 4,700 metres and a good 30 hours of walking time.
At the Nufenen, the route crosses into Valais and descends into the Obergoms to Oberwald. From there, the final long ascent begins, leading via Gletsch to the Furkapass at around 2,430 m. Beyond the pass, the tour ends at Belvédère; the Belvedere Furka stop is just a few steps away.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
Oberalppass - Tomasee (Lai da Tuma)
From 7 Jul 2026 – Until 31 Dec 2026
Infolge Felssturz ist der Bergwanderweg Oberalppass - Tomasee (Lai da Tuma) gesperrt. Für die Wanderung vom Oberalppass zur Rheinquelle retour sind aufgrund der Umleitung zusätzlich etwa 30 Minuten Wanderzeit einzuplanen.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
