Andermatt, Switzerland
The Ursern valley (canton Uri) at the foot of the Gotthard Pass is
one of the most impressive upland valleys in Switzerland. Andermatt
(1444 m) lies at the heart of Switzerland’s Alpine passes, and is the
largest of the three villages in the valley; it’s at the crossroads of
the mountain passes from north to south and from east to west.The
variety of tour options with the eight surrounding Alpine passes is
unique worldwide.
A cable car offers access to Gemsstock ski area and a chairlift
links the village with Nätschen’s gentler slopes. To Andermatt’s
north, the path leading to Devil’s Bridge, which spans the sheer gorge
of Schöllenenschlucht, is one of many trails. The village’s narrow
streets are lined with traditional chalets, one housing the folk
museum, Talmuseum Ursern.
Rail Travel Times:
St Moritz to Zermatt: 7 hours 30 minutes
Plan and Book:
Andermatt: See and Do
Andermatt is located in a high Alpine valley – the Ursern Valley –
in the Adula Alps. Since the opening of the Schöllenen route,
around 1200, Andermatt has been on the Gotthard route. The town is
served by a Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) owned and operated railway
station. The station is connected with Brig and Visp and with the
western terminus of the Rhaetian Railway at Disentis/Muster. There is
also a very short branch line, the Schöllenenbahn, between
Andermatt and Göschenen, at the northern end of the standard gauge
St Gotthard Tunnel.
Andermatt serves as a crossroads between southern Switzerland and
the North as well as between eastern Switzerland and Western
Switzerland. The town is thus connected by four Alpine passes: the
Oberalp Pass (6,706 ft; 2,044 m.) to the East, the St Gotthard Pass
(6,909 ft; 2,106 m.) to the South, the Furka Pass (7,992 ft; 2,436 m.)
to the West, as well as the Göschenertal Pass (4,652 ft; 1,418 m.)
to the North. The Schöllenen Gorge in the Reuss Valley between
Andermatt and Göschenen is the location of the infamous Devil’s
Bridge.
Devil’s Bridge
Andermatt has two main ski areas in the winter. Nätschen is a
mountain located on the north-east side of Andermatt. Gemsstock is a
mountain located on the southern side of Andermatt. Both areas are
accessible by ski lifts running up from the village, and have valley
runs which are open until around mid-March. Additionally, Nätschen
is accessible by the railway. There are plans to overhaul the ski
areas, and connect Nätschen with the neighbouring slopes of
Oberalp, which are currently only accessible by train, however they are
a part of the whole ski area.
Andermatt in Winter
The Andermatt holiday region is one of the most snow-sure ski
resorts in Switzerland. Here, the diverse skiing areas of the Skiarena
Andermatt-Sedrun offer a healthy mix with varying degrees of altitude
and levels of difficulty. Freeriders and lovers of steep-slope descents
fall for the Gemsstock, while recreational skiers and families find
themselves in their element at the Nätschen and Sedrun
resorts.
Well-signposted snowshoe trails and various winter hiking trails add
to the long list of possible winter adventures too, not forgetting
three different toboggan runs for rapid fun! And last but not least,
cross-country skiers find 28 km of Classic and Skating trails in the
Urserntal valley and another 12 km in Sedrun.
Andermatt in Summer
Stunning nature with countless mountain lakes, small glaciers,
impressive side valleys and very different mountain passes wait to be
discovered here.
The Gotthard region is furthermore characterized by its cultural
diversity and its well-documented history. Traces of this turbulent
history can be found in the architecture, in the valley museum or in
the legendary Sch√∂llenen Gorge with the notorious Devil’s
Bridge, once established by the people as gateway from north to south
over the mighty Gotthard.
For railway fans, Andermatt is an ideal place for taking a break or
an excursion. From Göschenen station on the Gotthard line, the
rack-and-pinion Schöllenenbahn climbs steeply up to Andermatt,
where it meets the east-west route across the Alps of the
Matterhorn-Gotthard line (with the Glacier Express), going towards
either Valais or Grisons. Alternatively you can travel from Realp on
the nostalgic “Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke”. You have to book in
advance for an exclusive nostalgia ride over the Gotthard Pass on a
traditional post coach, drawn by a five-horse team.
Gotthard Pass
Highlights
Alpine passes Tour by postal bus, oldtimer, car, racing bike or
E-Bike – experience the most beautiful passes of
central Switzerland in one day: Furkapass, Gotthardpass, Oberalppass,
Sustenpass, Nufenenpass, Grimselpass, Lukmanierpass, Klausenpass.
Gemsstock, incredible panoramic views from the summit over the heart of Switzerland and about 600 Alpine peaks.
Schöllenenschlucht, a gorge, which legend has it that a bridge
could only be built across with the aid of the devil. Right beside,
there is the Suworow memorial, a huge stone cross cut into the cliff
face in memory of the Russian soldiers who fell in 1799.
Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke, nostalgic rack-and-pinion steam railway (only runs in summer) between Realp and Oberwald (Valais), with stops on Furka and in Gletsch.
9-hole Golf Course Gotthard Realp, one of the most alpine golf courses in the world and 18-hole Golf Course in Andermatt.
Museum Sasso San Gottardo, deep inside the mountain you spy the
once top secret Artillery Fortress of the Swiss Army, long a secret
until just a few years ago. You also have the opportunity to admire the
unique giant crystals found on the Planggenstock.
Museums – the Ursern Valley Museum is housed in a beautiful
building in Andermatt. While the history of the Gotthard Pass is
documented in the Gotthard Museum at the top of the pass.
World of Water discover path, a 60 km long themed walk in the
Goscheneralp valley, with 90 stopping points with information about
water as an element.
Ski, Snowboard and Snowshoe, for everyone something, beginners to Freerider will find their own experience.
Ski-tour area with endless scopet, and being a snow-sure location, right up to summer too.
Zumdörfli, “Switzerland’s smallest village” between Hospental and Realp.
Events
AndermattLive!, this event combines the worlds of music and snow:
snowsports enthusiasts can enjoy two days of concerts and apres-ski
entertainment (March).
SwissChamer MusicCircle, professional Easter festival with concerts
by prizewinners in Andermatt’s St. Peter & Paul church. (9 days
starting on Good Friday).
Woldmanndli (Men of the Forest Festival), on village fair Saturday,
a procession of sackcloth-clad figures descends from Gurschner Forest
to the village, accompanied by cowbells and goat-horns. (October).
Christmas Market, Andermatt Christmas market with local and regional
products. Nostalgic children’s roundabout and musical entertainment
(last Saturday in November).
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