The most famous Swiss passes

Gotthard Pass

Drama is a given when it comes to Swiss mountain passes. And the Gotthard Pass is arguably the most dramatic of them all. Snow-capped Alps tumble down to verdant valleys in summer, where lakes shine and roads wind. The pass connects northern and southern Switzerland, travelling between the German and Italian speaking regions of the country. It’s been in use since the 13^th century, when a bridge was built across the Schöllenen Gorge. Legend has it that this crossing was constructed by the devil, with locals tricking him into doing so in exchange for a goat. Today you can see the Devil’s Bridge from the newer, adjacent road bridge. At 65km, it’s worth making a day of the journey and stopping to drink in those relentless views. Seeing as it can get busy at the height of summer, the slow approach is probably your best bet.

Tremola

Few Swiss passes can match the challenge of the famous Tremola. Connecting with the Gotthard Pass to the north, this cobbled road has 37 bends, 24 of which are hairpins. Initially constructed between 1827 and 1832, today it stands much as it did in 1951 when it was last reconstructed. Think ageing stone markers and high, dry stone retaining walls. Ideally, this is a route that’s best combined with driving the Gotthard. It’s built to entice those who love the open road and the chance to test their driving skills high in the mountains. The views as the road makes its way up from Airolo are definitely worth the effort.

Klausen Pass

Rising along forest lined road into classic Alpine territory, Klausen Pass is every inch a Swiss icon. At its summit sits the beautiful Bruder Klaus Kapelle, as well as the Hotel Passhohe, the ideal stop off for hikers, cyclists and drivers. What makes this pass so special, though, is its motorsport heritage. A hillclimb, the Klausenpassrennen, has been run here since 1922. The race is run intermittently rather than every year and attracts huge crowds keen for a glimpse at old cars trying to negotiate the steep and winding route. The centenary of the event was marked with a vintage car exhibition in summer 2022. The road itself, consisting of tight cobbled sections, fast straights and 136 curves in total, is best enjoyed from behind the wheel of a classic car.

Grimsel Pass

Connecting the cantons of Bern and Valais, Grimsel Pass rises up from Grimselsee towards the shining, beautiful lake of Totensee. While there are plenty of places for cars to pull over and enjoy the endless changing views, a visit to this gorgeous corner of the Alps is best enjoyed on foot or by bike. For those on the two wheels, it’s possible to try out the famous Aare Route, which drops down the winding road towards Bern. Those who prefer a more sedate approach can pull on their boots and head high into the hills, where the meadows are resplendent in summer, a riot of gorgeous colour. With hotels dotted alongside the lake, Grimsel Pass also serves as a handy stop off for those looking to spend a few days getting closer to some of the best natural landscapes Switzerland has to offer.

Oberalp Pass

While negotiating the hairpins of a winding Swiss pass from behind the wheel of a classic car provides near boundless excitement, Oberalp stands out for being accessible via train. It’s on the famous Furka Oberalp narrow gauge route, offering a chance to get to the 2,044-metre pass after the road shuts for the winter. The skiing and hiking here are first class. You can walk to Tomasee, the source of the Rhine, where a lighthouse stands to mark the start of one of Europe’s most important rivers. It’s a replica of the far larger one which stands at the Hook of Holland, where the river flows out into the North Sea.

Bernina Pass

Bernina Pass’s reputation goes before it. This is not a drive for the faint of heart, its switchbacks and exceedingly tight corners making for treacherous conditions, especially as it can be icy even during summer. The summit tops out at a massive 2,328 metres. There’s been a route across these mountains since the Middle Ages, with a proper road first laid during the 19^th Century, but most of today’s visitors head up here using the Bernina Express train, the highest railway in the Alps. Running alongside the dazzling Lago Bianco from Chur towards Tirano in Italy, it winds through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, and is the best way to take in the majesty of it all without the need to focus on those sharp turns.

Nufenen Pass

Reaching 2,485 metres, Nufenen Pass is the highest paved road in Switzerland. In fact, drivers have only been able to come this way since 1969. Connecting the cantons of Valais and Ticino, it was once an important trading route for cattle. Today it’s all about reaching the summit for some of the most spectacular views in Switzerland, with soaring, snow capped peaks reaching high into some of the bluest skies imaginable. There are superb, well maintained trails too, so fill a backpack, grab your boots and drink in that fresh mountain air while you’re here.

St. Moritz

It may be better known for its fabulous skiing, but St. Moritz has a motoring heritage all of its own, putting it in the same category as the winding Swiss passes which pull in motorists year after year. Every summer the British Classic Cars Meeting (BCCM) sees vintage cars descend on the town for a rally as well as a chance to drive the winding roads close to the resort. Unlike on some of the higher roads, the freezing conditions here in winter don’t bring an end to the driving action. The annual ICE (International Concourse of Elegance) event sees vintage cars racing over the frozen St. Moritzersee. Look out for classic Ferraris and Maseratis parked up alongside vintage Minis and Fiat 500s.

Villars sur Ollon

Another ski resort with motoring at its heart, Villars sur Ollon is home to the Alpine Challenge. The final of the FIA’s Historic Regularity Rallies, it sees drivers and co-drivers who have come through qualifying events test their mettle on open roads that travel high into the passes around the town. Only historic cars are allowed, with participants aiming to achieve a precise average speed along the entire course. Head here to take in the sights and, once the excitement is over, drive into the Alps for an adventure of your own.

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