Oberalpsee Lake
Alpine reservoir lake on the Oberalp Pass
An alpine reservoir on the Oberalp Pass in Uri, reached by pass road and mountain trails. Visitors come for hiking, lake-side walks and high-mountain views near the Gotthard region.
Oberalpsee at a Glance#
Admission: Free (natural lake/reservoir)
How to Get to Oberalpsee#
By rail and foot: Oberalpsee (Oberalppass) is served by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB). Take the regional train from Andermatt or Disentis to the Oberalp/Oberalppass stop; from the station it’s a roughly 10-15 minute walk to the lake shore.
By car: drive from Andermatt along the Oberalp pass road (seasonal) - the pass is about 10 km from Andermatt, with parking at the pass and short walks to viewpoints and the lake. Note the pass road and some services are seasonally closed.
Tips for Visiting Oberalpsee#
- Take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Oberalppass in summer rather than relying on mountain roads; the rail access is reliable and drops you close to the lake.
- Visit at first light for calm winds and the best chance of mirror-like reflections on the water; afternoons can be windier and busier.
- Be aware the Oberalp road/Pass is seasonally affected by snow-check pass and road openings in shoulder seasons before traveling by car.
Best Time to Visit Oberalpsee#
Summer (June-September) is the best time for accessible hiking and alpine views; winters are cold and often inaccessible.
Weather & Climate near Oberalpsee#
Oberalpsee's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -9°C to 12°C. Abundant rainfall (1595 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - -3° | -12° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 4.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -9° - -3° | -12° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 4.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -8° - -2° | -11° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 4.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -6° - 0° | -8° | 138 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | -1° - 4° | -2° | 143 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 2° - 9° | 2° | 155 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 155 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 151 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 3° | 144 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 5° | -2° | 142 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.7 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -6° - 0° | -8° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 4.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -8° - -2° | -11° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
