Realp lies at the western end of the Urseren high valley, at the foot of the Furka Pass and on the left bank of the Furkareuss. The municipality belongs to the Canton of Uri. To get your bearings before your trip, it is worth looking at the different sides of the place: trails lead through alpine terrain, the Furka mountain railway opens up a high-alpine landscape, and the history of its chapel stretches back several centuries.
Trails through the Urseren Valley
Realp is the starting point for a family-friendly, signposted variant of the Four-Source Trail. The approximately 85-kilometre hiking trail leads to the sources of the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and RhĂ´ne. The Realp variant passes through the Witenwasserental valley and over Oberstafel, the Rotondo Hut and HĂĽenerstock to the watershed at 3,025 metres. You can reach the route by post bus or the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway; check the timetable before your trip.
The Flesch nature reserve on the edge of Realp offers a different view of the landscape. In the alpine landscape of the Urseren Valley, flowing water, wetlands, shrubland and meadows provide habitats for numerous plants and animals. A valley walk through the area offers insights into the flora and fauna of the wetlands. Those comparing different types of walks will find opportunities for nature observation here instead of a long, multi-stage route.
The trails around Realp also vary in season and character. The Urserntal Trail is a winter hiking trail between Andermatt and Realp; it follows the Reuss through the valley floor. Winter conditions and possible closures may vary. Above Realp, the Urschner Höhenweg trail runs along the mountainside, offering panoramic views towards the Furka Pass, Gotthard Pass and Oberalp Pass. The Realp Goldfinger snowshoe trail leads near the “James Bond Goldfinger bend.”
For winter sports, the Realp ski lift has a roughly one-kilometre-long slope suitable for families, children and beginners. The seasonal children’s Fun Park is designed for young children and features animal figures and a playful course. The challenging stage of the Rhine–Reuss–Rhône Pilgrim Trail from Realp to Gletsch is on a different scale: it is 15.1 kilometres long; conditions in the mountains may vary.
The Furka Railway and the history of the place
Two very different modes of transport operate between Realp and Oberwald in Valais. The car shuttle through the Furka Tunnel runs year-round; the journey takes just under 20 minutes. The Furka Steam Railway connects the two places over a distance of around 18 kilometres. Its metre-gauge rack railway runs through a largely unspoilt high-alpine landscape, along steep slopes and through narrow gorges, reaching over 2,000 metres above sea level. Historic locomotives and carriages operate on the line, many of them over 100 years old. Check the latest timetable information before travelling on the car shuttle.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross also offers a specific point of reference for the history of the place: it was first mentioned in 1448; the present building dates from 1879–1880. Realp itself was first mentioned in 1363 under the name “Riealb.” Together with the historic railway, the chapel shows how the natural and technological history of Realp connects with the place’s older history.
Discover more destinations: Andermatt, Seelisberg, Gurtnellen, Altdorf, Hospental, Isenthal, Silenen, Sisikon
For the broader travel overview: Uri.
