Excursion Tips

The Most Beautiful Passes in Switzerland

The Swiss passes have a great appeal. They attract hikers and bikers alike, as well as leisurely day trippers and motorcyclists. These are the most beautiful mountain passes in Switzerland.

Bernina
The Bernina Pass is known for its impressive panoramas. It's no coincidence that the RhB Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano enjoys such a good reputation. The road is not only beautiful, but also very exciting, with its Graubünden mountain scenery and its tight curves and steep slopes.
The Bernina Pass is one of the highest year-round passes in the Alps. Since 1910 – and from 1913 also in winter – the world-famous, electrically operated Bernina Railway has crossed the pass. However, depending on the weather, occasional closures may occur. While driving over a snowy pass can be exciting, it is necessary to be well-equipped and drive carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Poschiavo (1022 m above sea level) - Samedan (1720 m above sea level)
Length: 37 km
Elevation: 2328 m above sea level
Opening hours: Year-round (weather dependent)

Albula Pass
The Albula Pass mountain road, with its touch of historic flair amidst the beautiful Albula Alps and its relatively untouched nature, is a magnificent experience. In earlier times, it was the transit pass connecting the Engadin with Chur, the capital of the canton of Graubünden. This was made possible – read and be amazed – by the blasting of the so-called Bergünerstein in 1695, the most difficult section of the route to date. Even today, one cannot help but be amazed as one passes along the route carved into the rock through the narrow gorge below Bergün.
The Albula Pass is also known among railway enthusiasts from all over the world. The Rhaetian Railway's narrow-gauge railway through the Albula Tunnel under the pass was opened in 1903. The bold alignment, with several looped and spiral tunnels, as well as bridges for changing sides of the valley, can be considered a masterpiece of engineering, which has also earned the railway line UNESCO World Heritage status.
La Punt Chamues-ch (1687 m above sea level) - Filisur (1032 m above sea level)
Length: 30.4 km
Elevation: 2312 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Flüela
With the completion of the RhB Vereina Railway Tunnel in 1999, the canton of Graubünden no longer wanted to maintain the pass road in winter, but it can still be partially used in winter.
The pass leads from the Lower Engadine into the Prättigau region and to Davos. In summer, the Flüela Hospice invites you to linger and enjoy the mountain scenery. Located in the narrow valley between the Schwarzhorn and Weisshorn, it combines narrow roads, switchbacks, and elevation changes, making it an exciting route. The European watershed between the Atlantic and the Black Sea runs along the pass. Although the pass is partially cleared, it remains mostly closed in winter due to the risk of avalanches.
Davos (1560 m above sea level) - Susch (1426 m above sea level)
Length: 27 km
Elevation: 2383 m above sea level
Opening: May - December

Julier Pass
The Julier Pass leads from Chur through deep Alpine valleys over the Julier Pass to St. Moritz. First, discover the special charm of Chur, Switzerland's oldest city. In the second half of the 19th century, various route adjustments were made necessary due to increasing feeder traffic for the Upper Engadin spa towns. The opening of the Rhaetian Railway's Albula line in 1903 caused car traffic over the Julier Pass to plummet again. When the Federal Council pressured the Graubünden government in 1923 for a through route suitable for cars, the canton opted for the Julier route. Between 1935 and 1940, the pass road was renovated and became the first Alpine crossing to be paved. Today, the Julier Pass is the most important northern access to the Engadin, open year-round.
Silvaplana (1815 m above sea level) - Bivio (1769 m above sea level)
Length: 16 km
Elevation: 2284 m above sea level
Opening hours: year-round (weather dependent)

Maloja Pass
The Maloja Pass in Graubünden connects the Upper Engadin with the Bregaglia Valley, crossing the main Alpine ridge. The Inn River rises not far north of the pass. As the only connection to the Bregaglia Valley from Switzerland, the pass is open year-round. The winding descent from Maloja into the Bregaglia Valley is one of the highlights of the Engadin, a cycling mecca from which the parallel passes of the Julier Pass, Albula Pass, and Flüela Pass lead northeast, the Bernina Pass leads southeast to Italy, and the Ofen Pass.
If you travel through the Bregaglia Valley, it's worth driving north up the slope to Soglio in Bondo. Dreamy Soglio, with its original charm of wooden houses and winding cobblestone streets, is beautiful and, of course, well-developed for tourism, yet unobtrusively.
Bondo (821 m above sea level) - Silvaplana (1815 m above sea level)
Length: 30 km
Elevation: 1815 m above sea level
Open year-round

Ofen Pass
The Ofen Pass is a pass at 2149 m above sea level in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, between Zernez in the Engadin and the Münstertal, which separates the Sesvenna Group in the northeast from the Ortler Alps in the southwest.
The Ofen Pass connects the Engadin with Tyrol over a distance of 35 kilometers. Its name derives from the smelting furnaces that existed in the region until the late Middle Ages. A replica of one of these furnaces can be found at the top of the pass. The road is well-developed and in good condition. The drive on the The southern ramp is a blast thanks to its many stunning switchbacks. The Ofenpass area enjoys a particularly mild climate and has one of the lowest precipitation levels in the Swiss high mountains. Furthermore, the snow line is high here, so the pass can normally be negotiated year-round.
Santa Maria Val Muestair (1375 m above sea level) - Zernez (1473 m above sea level)
Length: 30 km
Elevation: 2149 m above sea level
Open year-round

Lukmanier Pass
At 1,914 meters above sea level, the Lukmanier Pass, which connects the towns of Disentis in Graubünden and Biasca in Ticino, is significantly lower than other Alpine passes. This fact, along with the founding of the Disentis Monastery in 720, gave the Lukmanier Pass great importance as a north-south travel route even in early times. Today, the pass in the Surselva region is overshadowed by its larger neighbor, the Gotthard Pass, where all traffic from German-speaking Switzerland towards Ticino and Italy passes. To make the pass more attractive again, it is kept open even in winter. Visitors to the Lukmanier Pass will be surprised by an incredible variety of landscapes. A visit to the Selvasecca Forest Reserve near Acquacalda, where small moors and wetlands alternate with ancient forests, is particularly worthwhile. Some of the Swiss stone pines in this area are over 300 years old, and the habitat is inhabited by deer, roe deer, foxes, and many birds.
Olivone (891 m above sea level) - Disentis (1130 m above sea level)
Length: 39 km
Elevation: 1915 m above sea level
Opening hours: year-round

Splügen Pass
The 38 km long Splügen Pass road connects the Swiss town of Splügen on the Hinterrhein with Chiavenna in the Italian part and marks the transition between the Western and Eastern Alps.
A pass could hardly be more different on its two sides: The northern Swiss side is very short at 9 km, while the climb from Italy is not only incredibly long at 29 km, but also boasts over 1800 meters of elevation gain, something only very few passes achieve. The Splügen certainly doesn't have to hide behind much more famous names like the Stelvio Pass, and is recommended from the south, especially for the scenic beauty and diversity of the Italian side.
The opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882 brought transit traffic in Graubünden to a virtual standstill. A large wave of emigration was a direct consequence. Decades of effort to build a Splügen Railway ultimately failed. The construction of the national highway with a car tunnel at San Bernardino opened up new perspectives.
100 meters east of the road, the Via Spluga cultural and long-distance hiking trail leads over the Splügen Pass on the historic mule track; an altitude of 2,113 meters above sea level is indicated here (see image of the signpost), making this the actual pass (saddle point).
Chiavenna (325 m above sea level) - Splügen (1457 m above sea level)
Length: 39 km
Elevation: 1915 m above sea level
Opening hours: year-round

San Bernardino Pass
Settlement at the pass between Mesox and the Hinterrhein valley is documented as early as pre-Roman times. After the mid-13th century, the first Walser settlers migrated from the south into the Rheinwald region. A chapel was built on the south side of the pass after 1450 and dedicated to Saint Bernardine of Siena, whose name was then transferred to the pass.
The San Bernardino Pass connects the Mesox valley with the Hinterrhein valley. Thanks to the motorway running parallel to the cantonal road, which carries most of the heavy traffic, this pass is pleasantly quiet on both sides. In 1967, a 6.6-kilometer-long tunnel was built, making the old pass road of interest only from a tourist perspective.
Due to its length of over 100 kilometers and almost 2,000 meters of elevation gain, the pass traverses a variety of landscapes. The canton of Ticino is home to almost Mediterranean vegetation. The higher you climb, the more deciduous and, later, coniferous forests take over. At the top of the pass, you find yourself in a rugged and rocky high mountain landscape, surrounded by several high 2,000-meter peaks. In the Hinterrhein Valley, the wide high valley and the impressive Via Mala Gorge are among the scenic highlights.
San Bernardino (1,608 m above sea level) - Hinterrhein (1,620 m above sea level)
Length: 17 km
Elevation: 2,065 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Umbrail Pass
At 2,503 m, the Umbrail Pass is the highest Swiss pass and connects the Val Mustair with the Val Braulio. The pass summit is only about half a kilometer from the southwest ascent to the Stelvio Pass, meaning there is no independent access from the south side.
The pass sign is located between the Swiss customs station and the Cantoniera IV on the Stelvio Pass road. Immediately in front of the customs station is an inn, which was open at least in September.
At the summit, several information panels explain the events in the border triangle of Switzerland, Austria, and Italy during the First World War, when Italian troops attempted to expel the Austrians from South Tyrol, particularly from the strategically important Reschen Pass and the Vinschgau Valley. The close proximity to both warring parties also necessitated a military presence of the Swiss Army on the Umbrail Pass.
Due to its proximity to the Stelvio Pass, the Umbrail Pass tends to live in the shadows, which it doesn't really deserve. However, those who dare to attempt the Umbrail Pass will especially appreciate the seclusion of the Val Muraunza, while just a few kilometers away, the Stelvio Pass is bustling with activity almost every day.
Santa Maria Val Muestair (1375 m above sea level) - Bormio (1217 m above sea level)
Length: 33 km
Pass altitude: 2501 m above sea level
Opening times: May - October

Oberalp Pass
The Oberalp Pass is the center of an entire mountain region and the starting point for countless tours on foot, by bike, by train, or by cable car. The Rhine Source Lighthouse is a tourist attraction on the Oberalp Pass.
The Oberalp Pass connects Disentis in Graubünden with Andermatt in the canton of Uri, and thus the Vorderrhein Valley with the Urseren Valley. The Urseren Valley around Andermatt thus acts as a connecting link between two major European rivers: the Rhine and the Rhône, which originates on the Rhône Glacier west of the Furka Pass.
On the final hairpin bends on the east side out of Disentis, it's worth taking a close look to the south, as the small waterfall you see is the source of the Rhine. Various surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks lend the Oberalp Pass a dignified ambience.
Andermatt (1447 m above sea level) - Sedrun (1404 m above sea level)
Length: 33 km
Pass altitude: 2044 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass has always been one of the most important north-south connections and offers an attractive alternative to the tunnel, which at 16.9 km is one of the longest in the world. Today, its importance is evident in the four crossing options between Airolo and Andermatt.
There are two fantastic mountain routes worth trying: the main route and the historic Via Tremola. The latter is paved with cobblestones and offers a unique experience with its magnificent and numerous bends. The former offers beautiful views, although it is slightly less demanding from a driving perspective. Unfortunately, the pass, like the tunnel, is subject to delays and traffic jams during the holiday season. The alternative of enjoying and experiencing the Gotthard Pass during the week is a sensible one. On Mount Gotthard, there is a restaurant, a pass museum, and an old hospice, which underscore the historical importance of the Gotthard.
Airolo (1,142 m above sea level) - Hospental (1,452 m above sea level)
Length: 24 km
Elevation: 2,106 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Nufenen Pass
The Nufenen Pass connected Ticino to the Rhone Valley. Unlike other Alpine passes, it was used only for small-scale horse and cattle trade. Later, it served as an access route to the Gotthard Road for the export of cheese, and in the 18th century, for the import of salt into the Goms region.
At 2,478 meters, the Nufenen Pass is the highest Alpine pass in central Switzerland and marks the border between the Valais and the canton of Ticino. From the east, the pass is reached through the Bedretto Valley, skirting the Ticino, and via numerous switchbacks, it reaches Ulrichen. The pass is surrounded to the north by Pizzo Nero (2,904 m) and to the south by the Italian border.
The Nufenen Pass is one of the youngest Alpine passes, having been built only in 1969.
The panorama that opens up to visitors at the top of the pass, combined with the spectacular flora in early summer, make the detour to the Nufenen Pass a unique experience.
Airolo (1,141 m above sea level) - Ulrichen (1,346 m above sea level)
Length: 38 km
Elevation: 2,478 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Grimsel
The Grimsel Pass was already known in Roman times as an Alpine pass and is connected to the Furka Pass. The pass connects the Haslital in the Bernese Oberland with the Goms region in Valais. The pass road is well-known and winds through a wild and arid mountain landscape, characterized not only by granite rocks but also by reservoirs and power plants. The granite walls and lakes crossed by the route make this pass unique. This is further accentuated by the presence of hydroelectric plants and dams. Numerous vantage points offer spectacular views. The Gelmerbahn, the steepest funicular in Europe, also guarantees thrills. It is known for its tight, needle-shaped curves.
Gletsch (1,757 m above sea level) - Guttannen (1,057 m above sea level)
Length: 24 km
Elevation: 2,164 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Simplon Pass
The Simplon Pass is located 1,995 meters above sea level. It is a high mountain pass in the Canton of Valais and connects the Rhone Valley in Valais with the Divedro Valley and the neighboring Ossola Valley in the Italian province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.
The Simplon Pass is located 2,005 meters above sea level and connects Switzerland from Brig in Valais to Domodossola in Italy. The pass, open year-round, is considered one of the most beautiful Alpine passes. The 9-meter-tall Simplon Eagle is a symbol of vigilance in memory of the "Vigil on the Simplon" during World War II. For hikers, the Simplon offers fantastic mountain views and enchanting trails in both summer and winter.
At the Simplon Pass, you'll find not only a wide selection of hiking trails on over 140 kilometers of marked paths, but also quiet corners where you can relax. You can also admire the pristine environment, the raised bog, and the unique flora and fauna. On the Simplon Pass and in the Alps around the Simplon Pass, there are several hotels, holiday apartments, and group accommodations available for rent. Region: Domodossola (270 m above sea level) - Brig (681 m above sea level)
Length: 67 km
Elevation: 2,009 m above sea level
Opening hours: All year round

Furka Pass
The Furka Pass is one of the most beautiful passes in Switzerland and, above all, a place steeped in history. This pass was already in use in Roman times, and from the 13th century onwards, lively trade took place along the mule track. In 1921, the first postal bus crossed the pass, replacing the horse-drawn postal service. The postal bus route is still in operation today. Particularly picturesque is the three-pass tour from Meiringen or Andermatt, which takes you comfortably over the Susten-Furka-Grimsel Pass. Nostalgics will enjoy a steam train ride along the Furka mountain route. Thanks to the dedication of railway enthusiasts, this former railway line, replaced in 1982 by the Furka Base Tunnel, has been preserved and still transports visitors from Realp to Oberwald during the summer months from June to October.
Realp (1,538 m above sea level) - Oberwald (1,369 m above sea level)
Length: 29 km
Elevation: 2,429 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Susten
The Susten Pass is one of our favorites and one of the most popular in Switzerland. It features a mix of different road types and diverse vegetation, making it particularly interesting. Since it is somewhat less well-known than the nearby Furka Pass, it may be less visited. A plaque at the top of the pass commemorates: "1938 - 1946, dedicated to peace in difficult times."
One of the access points to the pass is near the Gotthard Base Tunnel. During the holiday season, it is notorious for its traffic jams. For this reason, it is important to avoid the highway when coming from the east.
Innerkirchen (626 m above sea level) - Wassen (916 m above sea level)
Length: 46 km
Elevation: 2,224 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October

Great St. Bernard Pass
The Great St. Bernard Pass is a mountain pass in the Valais Alps, spanning the Rhone Valley in the Swiss canton of Valais, at an altitude of 2,469 meters above sea level. It borders the Aosta Valley and further into the Italian region of Piedmont. The third-highest Alpine pass in Switzerland, the Great St. Bernard Pass is an important link between western Switzerland and Italy (Turin, Milan, Genoa, and the Mediterranean tourist destinations). The union of the Great St. Bernard and Little St. Bernard passes leads directly to the Col de l'Iseran, the highest Alpine pass, at 2,770 meters. Located 25 km east of the Mont Blanc massif, the pass is surrounded by numerous peaks almost three thousand meters high.
In 1839, the Valais district council decided to build a road, which was completed in 1893, but on the Italian side only in 1905. The idea of a year-round tunnel under the Col de Menouve had existed since the mid-19th century. In 1938, the Valais cantonal government issued a permit for such construction. Freight and passenger traffic continued to grow. However, the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel in 1980 reduced its initial importance. However, until further notice, the "Barry" will continue to be a means of advertising for the pass and the entire region.
In the Middle Ages, the pass was important not only for secular and spiritual dignitaries, traders, and crusaders, but also for pilgrims from the Frankish Empire to Rome (Via Francigena/Frankenweg), as evidenced by a travel account by the English Archbishop Sigeric Ernest of Canterbury around 994 AD.
Aosta (591 m above sea level) - Bourg St. Pierre (1632 m above sea level)
Length: 44 km
Altitude: 2,469 m above sea level
Opening hours: May - October