Rhine-Reuss-Rhôneweg: Oberalp Pass - Realp

Along the Oberalpsee and through flower-rich pastures and swamps we reach Nätschen. Through the north-facing protection forest of Andermatt we zigzag down to an altitude of 500 m. The Columbanskirche in Altkirch is the oldest church in Lake Urseren Valley. After the massive logging for the famous bridge over the Schöllenen, it became too uncomfortable there. Grandfather Johann Schmid built a new church in today's village in 1602, and Bartholomäus Schmid rebuilt it in the Baroque style a hundred years later. Here we meet the head reliquary of Saints Felix and Regula, the companions of Mauritius from the Theban Legion of Egyptian (Coptic) Christians in the Roman Empire.

Today, another Coptic Christian from Egypt shapes the village: Samih Sawiris makes the region fit for wealthy tourists. In Hospental we cross the Ticino Way of St. James at the Karlskapelle. Along the Reuss we reach Realp.