12 Mountain Passes to Explore in Grisons

The Albula Pass links the Albula Valley with the Engadine. Driving this stretch in the summer guarantees wonderful views like that of the rough, weathered Albula Gorge. With a little luck, you may also spot the Rhaetian Railway on its way through the high mountains and across the impressive stone viaduct. The drive leads up to the summit and the high plateau, though a side trip to the “most beautiful spot in Switzerland”, the Lai da Palpuogna, is an absolute must.

A beautiful high mountain pass which was located in the heart of Grisons. It connects the famous resort town of St. Moritz in the Engadin valley with the Italian-speaking Val Poschiavo, which ends in the Italian town of Tirano in Valtellina. The pass lies a few kilometers east of Piz Bernina, and south of Val Minor. The pass was an important trade route over the Alps during the Middle Ages. The views from here are truly astonishing and it will be a nice experience riding through this pass.

Flüela Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps in the canton of Graubünden. The road connects Davos and Susch in the lower Engadin valley. Since the Vereina Tunnel opened in 1999, the road is no longer guaranteed to be open all year. An NGO, Pro Flüela Verein, was established in 1990 to extend the opening outside the summer months. It raises money from membership fees, and grants from the cantonal government and local communes.

The Livigno Pass is a mountain pass in the Alps on the border between the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland and the Province of Sondrio in Italy. It’s one of the highest paved roads in Europe and it connects the Bernina Pass in Switzerland with Livigno in Italy. When you’re looking for a great road cycling route in Italy and a mountain pass cycling route, then the Livigno Pass should be on your list.

Fuorn Pass or Ofen Pass is a high alpine mountain pass in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. The name is based on the ovens that were used in ironworks in the area. The ruins of these ovens can still be seen from nearby trails. It connects Zernez in the Engadin valley with Val Müstair, crossing the Swiss National Park in Switzerland.

The Julier Pass is a mountain pass in Switzerland, in the Albula Range of the Alps. It connects the Engadin valley with the rest of Graubünden. At its summit, the pass crosses the watershed/drainage divide between the basins of the Rivers Rhine and Danube. The Julier Pass lies between Piz Lagrev and Piz Julier.

Lukmanier Pass is a pass in the Swiss Alps. The road from Disentis/Mustér in the canton of Graubünden leads through the Val Medel across the pass to the Blenio valley and Biasca in the canton of Ticino. North of the pass, the road runs along the east shore of Lake Sontga Maria. The Pass is kept open during the winter but even then it often closes after 18:00 hours. Below the Lukmanier Pass, or more precisely between it and Pizzo dell'Uomo, runs the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Maloja Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps in the canton of Graubünden, linking the Engadine with the Val Bregaglia, still in Switzerland and Chiavenna in Italy. It marks the divide between the Danube and Po watersheds. Lägh da Bitabergh is near the pass. The Maloja Pass is open in winter. However, after heavy snowfalls, the road may be closed for a couple of hours or for an entire day. Even if open, the road might be covered with snowmaking snow/winter tires, or chains, a necessity.

The San Bernardino Pass links the Posterior Rhine in Grisons to the north with the Misox valley, also in Grisons, to the south. Not far from the top of the pass is the little resort of San Bernardino with its many opportunities for hiking and winter sports. For eastern Switzerland, the Bernardino route is an alternative to the Gotthard Pass as a way into the Ticino.

The Septimer Pass was once one of the most important Alpine crossings to and from Italy. The favourable topography made it an ideal trade route. Today, hikers and bikers cross the pass and enjoy the unique landscape where traders once trod.

The Splügen Pass leads from the ancient Viamala region, with the gorge of the same name, directly to the Mediterranean lifestyle in the vibrant Italian town of Chiavenna. In the north, touring riders will enjoy lots of hairpin bends with attractive vantage points; in the south, the winding slope through the San Giacomo Valley.

The Umbrail Pass is the highest pass in Switzerland and is the link to the Val Braulio. The Umbrail and Fuorn Passes encircle the Val Müstair, Switzerland’s first high-Alpine UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is currently the highest paved road in Switzerland. The pass is located in a picturesque location and a lot of peoples visits this place every year.