The Journal
Hiking Escapes with The Alpinists (3) – Tomasee
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JOIN THE ALPINISTS’ ROMAN FLEPP AS HE EXPLORES THE SOURCE OF TIME, THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE RHINE AT THE TOMASEE
Continuing our journey to trace the Rhine River back to its source, we finally arrive at the Tomasee (Lake Toma/Lai da Tuma), nestled in the canton of Graubünden. This pure alpine lake lays claim to being the official source of the Rhine, and its scenic beauty is nothing short of mesmerizing. As we explore the tranquil surroundings of Lake Toma, you’ll witness striking landscapes also captured by The Alpinists, our partners in this alpine odyssey and passionate photographers.
The Tomasee’s allure extends beyond hikers. It also attracts mountain bikers eager to navigate the trails surrounding this alpine gem. The clear waters and awesome mountains present a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both calm and adventure. Alpinist Roman Flepp shared his thoughts of his encounters with the Tomasee – inviting us to take on the journey ourselves. It has turned out to be a true celebration of the power of time and space, of the Rhine, the elixir of life for Schaffhausen, and the source of IWC’s watchmaking heritage.
— At 2344 meters above sea level, the Tomasee is surrounded by a natural basin feeding water into the lake
— Perpetual source of fascination: the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar IW503302 in 18 ct 5N gold
— Numerous legends revolve around the source of the Rhine River, the Tomasee
ROMAN FLEPP SHARES HIS FAVORITE SPOTS AROUND THE TOMASEE
“From its source near the Oberalp Pass in Switzerland, the Rhine travels 1,232.7 kilometers (760 miles) before reaching the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands. The river rises just above Lai da Tuma, often cited as its source. Every year countless visitors flock to the Tomasee to experience its sublime landscape. The most fascinating thing to me are the beautiful grassy areas and the meandering creeks that feed into the lake. On a beautiful summer’s day, I could spend hours and hours there.
After your visit to the source of the Rhine, you will want to descend into the Val Maighels, a long valley that borders Ticino at the southern end. The valley is very popular with mountain bikers because of its well-established trails and gentle inclines. If you were to follow the Val Maighels even further south, you would reach the peak Capanna Cadlimo, the official gate to the south. From there you have access to the Lukmanier Pass and can resume your journey.”
THE HIKING ROUTE
From the Oberalp Pass (parking lot and Matterhorn Gotthard Railway station), the hiking trail follows the road on the Graubünden side for a few hundred meters, before crossing the mountain flank straight ahead. Later, it zigzags up to a hill from where it descends to Lai da Tuma. If you pass the lake on the right, you will arrive at a beautiful meadow where the Rein da Tuma flows.
You can follow it a little further uphill along the path. Back at the lake, cross the outflow and follow the path to Lai Urlaun. At Plaun Badus, there’s a beautiful view of the lake below and of the Piz Cavradi on the opposite side. After a visit to the Maighelshütte, descend along the hut’s path. On the following ascent take the turn-off towards the Oberalp Pass.
— The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Boutique Edition IW503312 with an 18 ct Armor Gold® case
For more hiking escapes in the Swiss Alps, check out The Alpinists’ latest coffee table book “Lost in the Alps 2”.
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