64 Mountain Passes to Explore in Switzerland

Checkout places to visit in Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world, with the highest nominal wealth per adult and the eighth-highest per capita GDP. It ranks at or near the top in several international metrics, including economic competitiveness and human development.

Mountain Passes by destination

Activities Around

Mountain Passes to Explore in Switzerland

Furka Pass

Furka Pass, a mountain pass between Uri and Valais cantons of south-central Switzerland. It lies at 7,976 feet, just south of the Dammastock peak. It is crossed by road and railway, which connect Andermatt with Gletsch. The road, constructed mainly for military reasons, is now noted for its scenic views of the Rhône Glacier and of the Bernese and Pennine Alps. The railway, which passes through the mile-long Furka Tunnel, is part of a larger railroad system connecting eastern and western Switzerl

Gemmi Pass

Gemmi Pass is a high mountain pass across the Bernese Alps connecting Leukerbad in the canton of Valais with Kandersteg in the canton of Bern. The pass itself lies within the canton of Valais, at a height of 2,270 meters above sea level. The main trail reaches 2,322 meters. The pass is mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes story The Final Problem. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson cross the pass on their way to Meiringen, where Sherlock Holmes has his famous meeting with Professor Moriarty at the Reic

Glaubenberg Pass

Glaubenberg Pass is a 19.1 mile point-to-point trail located near Sarnen, Obwald, Switzerland that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for road biking, mountain biking, and scenic driving.

Glaubenbielen Pass

Glaubenbielen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.611m above the sea level, located in the Emmental Alps, in Switzerland. The pass is traversed by a road known as Panoramastrasse. The pass itself is located within Obwalden, and connects Giswil in Obwalden and Sörenberg in the Entlebuch region. It divides the basins of the Kleine Emme and the Sarner Aa, both within the Reuss basin.

Gotthard Pass

One of the best-known and most important alpine pass in Switzerland. For decades the Gotthard Pass on up to 2.091m above the sea level has been the only connection between canton Uri in the North and canton Ticino in the South of the Alps. Crossing the Gotthard mountain massif via the alpine pass, however, is still the most scenic and adventurous experience and sometimes the best alternative to avoid traffic before the tunnel. ​

Gottschalkenberg Pass

Gottschalkenberg Pass is a high mountain pass in the canton of Zug in Switzerland. IT gives a panoramic view of the valley of Zug and also it is a picturesque area to spend some good times and to take some photographs.

Great St Bernard Pass

Great Saint Bernard Pass, Italian Colle del Gran San Bernardo, French Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard, one of the highest of the Alpine frontier passes, at 8,100 feet. It lies on the Italian-Swiss border east of the Mont Blanc group in the southwestern Pennine Alps. The pass connects Martigny-Ville, Switzerland, in the Rhône River valley, with Aosta, Italy. The alpine crossing was a significant stretch of the pilgrim routes between north and south.

Grimsel Pass

The Grimsel Pass links the Hasli Valley in the Bernese Oberland with Goms in Valais. The pass road runs through a wild, sparsely grown mountainous region marked by granite rocks, reservoir lakes, and power plants. A paved road follows the pass, running 38 kilometers from Gletsch to Meiringen. The road is normally closed between October and May, due to the high snowfall on the pass.

Hirzel Höhi

The Hirzel Höhi is a mule pass in the foothills of the canton of Zurich, which connects Horgen and Sihlbrugg. The former trade route continued via Baar, Zug, Immensee - Küssnacht or Brunnen across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen to the Gotthard and to Italy. The most important goods transported were salt from north to south and wine vice versa. In addition, silk, velvet, brocade, linen, iron, grain, rice, cheese, and oil were traded.

Hulftegg-Pass

Hulftegg Pass is a mountain pass between the cantons of Zürich and St. Gallen in Switzerland. It connects Mühlrüti in the municipality of Mosnang and Steg in the municipality of Fischenthal in the Töss Valley. The pass lies between the Toggenburg in St. Gallen and the valley of the Töss River in Zürich. The pass road has a maximum grade of 10 percent. At the summit is a popular restaurant. From the pass, there are hiking trails to climb the surrounding peaks, including the Hörnli and the Schne

Ibergeregg Pass

The Ibergeregg Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation 1,406 metres or 4,613 feet in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. The pass connects the town of Schwyz and village of Oberiberg, with onward links to Einsiedeln and the Sihlsee. The headwaters of the Minster, a tributary of the Sihl, are nearby, and the pass is flanked by the Alpine peaks of Furggelenstock and Firstspitz.

Julier Pass

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.

Klausen Pass

The Klausen Pass is an incredibly scenic drive in the Central Swiss Alps connecting Altdorf in the canton of Uri with Linthal in the canton of Glarus. It might not be among the highest alpine passes, but don't be deluded the Klausen can be challenging. It is a bit of a thrill driving the Klausen Pass.

La Tourne

The Col de la Tourne is a road pass which is located on the territory of the municipality of Rochefort, in the canton of Neuchâtel. It was one of the picturesque locations and is also famous for its climate and natural beauty.

Les Pontins

Les Pontins is a pass in the Swiss Jura in the canton of Bern. It is located between the towns of Saint-Imier and Le Pâquier, the pass is at 1110 m above sea level. M. One of the picturesque location and also a place with natural beauty and good climate.

Lukmanier Pass

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

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.

Monte Moro Pass

The Monte Moro Pass is an Alpine pass located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It connects Saas-Almagell in the Swiss canton of Valais to Macugnaga in the Italian region of Piedmont. The pass lies at the foot of Monte Moro. Historically the Monte Moro is an important border crossing between the valleys of Saas and Macugnaga. It is traversed by a trail and is one of the highest passes on the Monte Rosa Tour.

Moosalp

This route connects the Turtmann valley region with the Moosalp pass at 2,044 meters in altitude. It consists of a long and steady climb whose first few kilometers take place in a forest with four consecutive hairpin bends. This is followed by a straighter section of the route passing through pastures along the side of the valley. You pass through the villages of Eischoll, Unterbäch, and Bürchen before reaching the final, much wilder section of the pass. It was one of the famous locations here a

Murgseefurggel

Murgseefurggel is a pass in Switzerland and has an elevation of 1985 meters. Murgseefurggel is situated east of Alpegligen, northwest of Mittlerer Murgsee. It was one of the picturesque locations in this area and it gives a nice experience of nature.

Map of Mountain Passes to explore in Switzerland