Oberalppass - Realp

Along Oberalp Lake and through flower-rich meadows and swamps, we reach Nätschen. Through the north-facing protective forest of Andermatt, we descend 500 m in a zigzag. The Kolumban Church in Altkirch is the oldest church in the Urseren Valley. After extensive logging for the famous bridge over the Schöllenen Gorge, it became too uncomfortable there. Grandfather Johann Schmid built a new church in 1602 in the present village; Bartholomäus Schmid baroquified it a hundred years later. Here, we encounter the skull reliquaries of the Zurich saints Felix and Regula, 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 is preparing the region for affluent tourists. In Hospental, at the Karl Chapel, we cross the Ticino connecting route to the Way of St. James. Along the Reuss, we reach Realp.