Vier Quellen Weg

This magnificent Four Springs Trail (Vier Quellen Weg) will take you to the headwaters of the Rhine, the Reuss, the Ticino and the Rhône. You’ll pass through the cantons of Uri, Graubünden, Ticino and Valais, crossing six major mountain passes: the Maighels Pass, the Sella Pass, the Gotthard Pass, the Lucendro Pass, the Nufenen Pass and the Furka Pass.

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S
   

   Oberalppass – Vermigel Hütte

   8.47 mi 2,612 ft 2,621 ft

   This first stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from the Oberalppass to the Capanna Vermigel. During the day, you’ll discover Lake Tuma, one of the sources of the Rhine. An engraved marker indicates this source. As you climb towards the Col de Maighels, you’ll walk alongside another branch of the Rhine (Rein da Maighels), which has its source at the Maighels Glacier.

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2. 2
   

   Vermigel Hütte – Ospizio Gottardo

   7.32 mi 2,746 ft 2,539 ft

   This second stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from Cappana Vermigel to the Hospice da Saint Gothard. Although this route does not take you to a spring, reaching the Saint Gothard Pass serves as a reminder that the eponymous massif is home to the four sources featured on the route: the Rhine, the Reuss, the Ticino and the Rhône.

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3. 3

   Ospizio del San Gottardo - Capanna Piansecco

   12.17 mi 4,423 ft 4,921 ft

   Cette troisième étape du Vier Quellen Weg vous conduira de l'Hospice da Saint Gothard à la Capanna Piansecco. Au cours de cette journée, vous longerez le superbe Lac de Lucendro. À l'approche du Col de Lucendro vous découvrirez une des sources de la Reuss (Gothardreuss). La fin du parcours conduisant à la Capanna Piansecco surplombe le Ticino.

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4. 4
   

   Capanna Piansecco – Obergesteln

   11.78 mi 2,028 ft 4,055 ft

   This fourth stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from Cappana Piansecco to Obergesteln. During the day, you’ll discover the source of the Ticino (Tessin). An engraved marker indicates this source. You’ll cross the Nufenen Pass, which will take you to Obergesteln, a charming little village on the banks of the Rhône.

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5. E
   

   Obergesteln – Belvedere Furka

   11.02 mi 4,150 ft 1,178 ft

   This fifth stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from Obergesteln to the source of the Rhône. This magnificent route will have the Rhône as your constant companion. Right from the start, it will be by your side; you’ll follow it upstream to its source via the Furka Pass, then descend towards the historic Hotel Belvédère at the foot of the glacier. As with the other sources, you’ll find an engraved marker indicating the Rhône.

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