It is situated at an elevation of 1,377 m and had a population of 277 in December 2007. It is located at the end of the Goms, directly before the Furka and Grimsel passes, underneath the Rhône River source at the
Rhône Glacier 
. It is also the startpoint of the Furka Tunnel and is served by
Oberwald railway station 
. Most inhabitants live off tourism or sheep farming.
Oberwald was an independent municipality until January 1, 2009, when it merged with
Ulrichen 
and
Obergesteln 
to form the municipality of Obergoms.