Rheinquelle Lighthouse – Oberalp Pass loop from Ilanz/Glion

Bike touring routes & trails

Rheinquelle Lighthouse – Oberalp Pass loop from Ilanz/Glion

Hard

4.7

(62)

462

riders

Rheinquelle Lighthouse – Oberalp Pass loop from Ilanz/Glion

07:40

103km

1,830m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

587 m

Obertor Ilanz

Highlight • Monument

The structure was built in 1717, and two baroque spheres proclaim the Christmas message. In the center field are the coats of arms of the Three Leagues. Directly above the archway is the city's coat of arms.

Other coats of arms include those of the Capols, Salis, Schmid von Grüneck, and the coats of arms of Zurich and Bern with the text: IN HONOREM POT. DOM ORUM TUGINORUM ET BERNATUM HOC GRATTUDINIS MONUMENTUMPOSUIT JOH. GAUD. SCHMIDIUS DE GRUEN. PRAET. TIR AO MDCCXVII., in gratitude for his help in renovating the gate in 1717. The paintings were restored in 1924 by Chr. Schmidt, Zurich.

Text / Source: Surselva Tourism website
surselva.info/Ganzjaehrig/Kultur/Zeitgenoessische-Architektur/Altstadt-Ilanz/Das-Obertor-Ilanz#/article/3e665af0-b7a9-4b37-a1d7-c04a89bb34d9

Translated by Google •

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5.37 km

Covered Wooden Bridge Over the Vorderrhein

Highlight • Bridge

Through the windows of the old wooden bridge you have a beautiful view of the Rhine and the mountains in the background.

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8.40 km

Rein Anteriur

Highlight • Gorge

Yes, very nice and lonely bike path, not tarred but good mobile.

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47.3 km

Switchbacks on the Oberalp Pass

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

The Oberalp Pass not only shines with the source of the Rhine and its beautiful route, especially in the upper section, but also with the Rhaetian Railway, which accompanies the route and always provides spectacular views.

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51.3 km

Rheinquelle Lighthouse

Highlight • Monument

It's great if you've reached the top by bike or on foot. The lighthouse itself only shows the start of the Rhine Cycle Path. The source itself must be hiked on foot. Unfortunately, that was not possible for me at the beginning of May due to snow.

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51.3 km

Oberalp Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The Oberalp pass connects the cantons of Uri and Grisons. The pass, which is located at 2,046 meters above sea level, has been open to vehicles since the mid-19th century.

Translated by Google •

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54.5 km

View of the Source of the Rhine

Highlight • Viewpoint

View of the source of the Rhine on the Oberalp Pass.

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97.3 km

Scenic Section of the Rhine Cycle Route near Ilanz

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Wonderful meadow landscape just before Ilanz

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103 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

70.8 km

17.5 km

8.05 km

5.02 km

1.84 km

Surfaces

84.8 km

16.6 km

914 m

582 m

261 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,040 m)

Lowest point (700 m)

Weather

Wednesday 14 October

17°C

4°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 1, 2024,Am oberen Rhein: Tag 1 Von Oberalppass nach Ilanz

The weather was really very grey in Graubünden that day.
I was grateful that the rain showers didn't catch me at 8 C on the Oberalp Pass, but only at almost 20 C behind Disentis.
I didn't need to pedal for the first 8 km. The first 4 km were a descent with my hands almost always on the brakes, …

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July 5, 2026,Bike and Hike am jungen Rhein - Tag 1 Bike - vom Oberalppass nach Versam

I'm riding the route along the young Rhine for the third time now. The bike days actually only serve for the journey to and from the hike day. If I travel to Switzerland just for the hike through the Rhine Gorge, I also need 3 days. The hike is too long to combine it with the journey on the same …

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July 9, 2025,Am oberen Rhein - Tag 1 - Vom Oberalppass nach Versam

This time it was blue-gray in Graubünden. I saw everything today, from a cool 6°C (1 p.m. at the Oberalp Pass) to a moderate 19°C. I was lucky with the weather. It had snow and rain the day before yesterday and yesterday at the Oberalp Pass, and today I saw the sun at 6°C as I got off the train. …

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June 25, 2023,Rheinradweg EV15 Tag 1

This year it worked
Start of the Rhine cycle path EV15
This morning we took the train from Zurich to Göschenen.
From then on it was all uphill to the Oberalp Pass.
In between, before Andermatt, is the Devil's Bridge and the Russian Monument. Very impressive 👍
Of course all hell broke loose on the Oberalp Pass (Sunday). When going …

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June 30, 2024,Von Göschenen über den Oberalppass bis nach Ilanz

Day 1: An unforgettable start to my cycling trip

Today was the first day of my cycling trip and what a day it was! After a strenuous journey of over 12 hours by train, I finally arrived in Göschenen in Switzerland. The impressive backdrop of the Alps greeted me immediately - the majestic mountains, roaring waterfalls and the famous Devil's …

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