Switzerland has some of the most stunning mountains in the world. You can enjoy beautiful mountains scenery almost wherever you go in Switzerland.
It would be best to visit Swiss mountain passes to have incredible excitement while traveling to Switzerland.
Driving through these swiss mountain passes is an incredible and enjoyable experience. While you drive through these mountains, it will offer you beautiful nature views that leave you speechless.
Let’s go through several beautiful swiss mountain passes for a road trip that will give for the best drive of your life.
Beautiful Swiss Mountain Passes For a Road Trip:
Furka Pass
The Furka Pass is one of Switzerland’s most stunning mountain passes. With an elevation of 2,429 meters (7,969 ft), this road offers gorgeous nature views surrounding you.
While driving, you may also catch the train that travels the Furka Pass. Furka Pass is also famous because of the James Bond (Goldfinger) movie filmed in this location.
Then, once you almost reach the top, you can see the iconic hotel in Furka Pass, Belvedere Hotel. The hotel closed its operation in 2016, but there is a parking lot where you can stop and take photos. It is a top spot to take pictures in Furka Pass.
It takes around an hour and a half to traverse the Furka Pass without stopping.
Grimsel Pass
Grimsel Pass is another spectacular mountain pass for road trips with an elevation of 2,164 meters (7,100 ft) above sea level. The route offers miles of breathtaking views through numerous hairpin bends, high elevations, and steep grades.
Grimsel Pass has a restaurant, a hotel if you want to stay, and a beautiful lake on the top. The scenery is fantastic.
If you want to stay, recommended stopping at the Grimsel Hospiz, also known as Historic Alpine Hotel Hospiz. Grimsel Hospiz is a historic hotel with modern rooms. This hotel offers views of mountains and is surrounded by rocky landscapes.
Grimsel Pass has also been used on several occasions for Tour de Suisse – the annual cycling stage race.
Simplon Pass
At an elevation of 2,005 meters (6,578 ft), the Simplon Pass is located between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps and connects Brig in the canton of Valais, Switzerland with Domodossola in Italy.
Besides the breathtaking views, Simplon Pass has its own history.
Simplon Pass has been used since the Stone Age, yet until the 17th century, it was primarily used by smugglers and mercenaries.
One of the famous landmarks in Simplon Pass is the Ganter Bridge, which spans the Ganter Valley and is one of Switzerland’s spectacular bridges.
You can stop at the Simplon Hospice, a national Swiss heritage site founded in the 19th century. All are welcome to visit the Simplon Hospice.
Gotthard Pass
Also referred to as the “King of Mountain or alpine Passes,” the Gotthard Pass connects northern and southern Switzerland. It was already being used as a mule track in the 13th century.
At an elevation of 2,106 meters (6,909 ft), hundreds of tourists drive in this mountain pass because of the breathtaking scenery along the route.
Probably the cool thing you can do is to visit Sasso San Gottardo. Sasso San Gottardo is located in the caverns, deep inside the mountain, and is Switzerland’s largest underground defense station. Today it has become a unique museum, and visitors can explore and learn the history of this place.
One of the popular attractions in Gotthard Pass is Devil’s Bridge. It refers to the two bridge that spans the Schöllenen Gorge.
You May Also Like:
10 Places You Must Visit In Ticino – Southernmost Canton of Switzerland
Julier Pass
Located in the Albula Range of the Alps, Switzerland, Julier Pass has an elevation of 2,284 meters (7,493ft) above sea level. The road over the Julier Pass is an old Roman road, and it was built in 1820. In 2009, some sections were reconstructed to lessen the number of serpentine turns.
Julier Pass is another fantastic pass to have a pleasant drive while taking in the beautiful views on the way to or from St Moritz.
Not as popular as some of the other mountain passes, but Julier Pass still gives you astonishing scenery.
Bernina Pass
Bernina Pass is one of the most popular for breathtaking views. Located on the Swiss-Italian border, it connects the alpine resort town of St. Moritz and Tirano in Val Poschiavo.
During traveling at Benina Pass, you will see the Lago Bianco – “White Lake.” The lake is so beautiful.
At an elevation of 2,328 meters or 7,638 ft, driving a car in Bernina Pass is also one of the best experiences you will have in your life.
If you want to travel by train, Bernina Express is the answer. We are sure whether by car or train, you still can enjoy the beauty of this mountain pass.
Three Things You Need to Know Before Going for a Road Trip
Number One
Usually, most mountain passes open from late May or early June till early November and are closed during the winter month.
Driving during the winter can be difficult and dangerous, and the road is not cleared of snow.
Make sure to check the status of the mountain pass, which is open or closed, before going for a trip.
Number Two
The roads are closed during winter, but you can still enjoy the beautiful mountain passes in winter by riding a train.
We advise you to forget about riding a train in the summer if you like to enjoy driving and spectacular views.
Number Three
Ready your camera. A road trip to the mountain pass will be a road trip that you want to take with lots of photos and videos.
Switzerland has a lot to offer, and one of the most incredible to do is explore the mountain passes by driving. Explore these mountain passes, which we guarantee will give you the best experience of your life.
