How was it in the old days when there were no roads over the Furka, Nufenen and Grimsel passes? What was it like for the muleteers as they set off with their pack animals to make the arduous journey to neighbouring cantons and to Italy and stopped to rest in Obergesteln? Today Obergesteln is one stop on the guided week of walking along the historic «Sbrinz Trail» from Lucerne to Domodossola (Italy). This annual event takes place in August and is organised by the Sbrinz Route Society.

In contrast to most of the villages in Valais, Obergesteln's houses are mostly made of stone. The reason for this is a devastating fire that completely destroyed nine buildings in the village in 1806. However, this was just a foretaste of the conflagration that occurred on 2 September 1868. In the end all that remained was four outbuildings and the bakery. On instructions from the Canton of Valais the village was rebuilt using stone. At that time the stricken villagers also received support from the Canton of Ticino.

Today Obergesteln has much to offer tourists. The «Source du Rhône» golf course lies directly beside the young Rhone and is one of Switzerland's longest 9-hole courses. There is also a large children's playground with barbecue facilities, two tennis courts, an indoor pool at the Hotel Hubertus and a variety of museums – like the Crystal Museum. One other highlight is Switzerland's oldest tree – a larch which is reckoned to be around 1,500 years old and stands above the village.

Obergoms Tourismus AG
Tourist Info Oberwald
T+41 27 973 32 32
oberwald@obergoms.ch