What are the most spectacular roads in Switzerland?
Set high in the Alps, in the central part of Europe, Switzerland offers a driving experience like no other. With about 200 of the most famous roads in the world, it’s worth noting the challenging mountain roads the country offers, renowned for their stunning Alpine landscapes.
Most of the country's roads are on the list of the most famous and iconic drives worldwide. So, when travelling to the country, you need to try Furka Pass, the Alpine road for James Bond. The pass was immortalized by the Aston Martin DB5 / Ford Mustang car chase in James Bond's Goldfinger. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads in Switzerland. Or the amazing mountain road to St. Gotthard Pass, at an elevation of 2,110m (6,922ft) above sea level. It’s also worth driving through Great Saint Bernard Pass, one of the most famous roads in the Alps, climbing up to 2,469m (8,100ft) above sea level on the border with Italy.
The list wouldn’t be complete without Grimsel Pass, a 5-star road in the Swiss Alps, on the border between the Bern and Valais cantons, or the Umbrail Pass, an iconic Alpine road with 35 hairpin turns on the Swiss-Italian border. The road to the summit is currently the highest paved road in Switzerland and one of the highest paved roads in the Alps.
Furka Pass is the Alpine road for James Bond
Furka Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.431m (7,976ft) above sea level, located in one of the snowiest regions in Switzerland. It’s one of the world's most iconic, exhilarating and exciting drives through the Swiss Alps. The pass was immortalized by the Aston DB5 / Ford Mustang car chase in James Bond's Goldfinger. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads of Switzerland.
The amazing mountain road to St. Gotthard Pass
Passo del San Gottardo is a high mountain pass located in southern Switzerland, at an elevation of 2,110m (6,922ft) above sea level. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads in Switzerland.
Great Saint Bernard Pass is one of the most famous roads in the Alps
Great Saint Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,469m (8,100ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads in Switzerland.
Grimsel Pass is a 5-star road in the Swiss Alps
Grimsel Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,164m (7,100ft) above sea level, located on the boundary of Bern and Valais cantons of Switzerland. It’s one of Switzerland’s most famous Alpine roads.
Maloja Pass is a curvy road in the Swiss Alps
Maloja Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,819m (5,967ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Graubünden, in Switzerland.
Umbrail Pass is an iconic Alpine road with 35 hairpin turns
Umbrail Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,506m (8,221ft) above sea level, located on the Swiss-Italian border. At this elevation, the road to the summit is currently the highest paved road in Switzerland and one of the highest paved roads in the Alps.
A lovely drive to Fluela Pass in the heart of the Swiss Alps
Flüela Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,391m (7,844ft) above sea level, located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
Alte Axenstrasse road: stay away if you're scared of heights
Alte Axenstrasse (Old Axenstrasse) is the name of an engineering masterpiece located in the canton of Uri in Switzerland. The road is closed to vehicles indefinitely.
25 bridges and tunnels to Susten Pass in the Alps
Susten Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,264m (7,428ft) above sea level, located in Switzerland. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads in Switzerland.
The curvy road to Albula Pass is an absolute must
Passo dell'Albula is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,306m (7,565ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Graubünden, in Switzerland. The pass is open from June to October.
Julier Pass is one of Switzerland’s most scenic roads
Julier Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.287m (7,503ft) above sea level, located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
The curvy road to San Bernardino Pass was built in 1770
Passo di San Bernardino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.065m (6,775ft) above sea level, located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
Nufenen Pass is one of the highest paved roads of Switzerland
Nufenenpass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.485m (8,152ft) above sea level, located in Switzerland. At this elevation, it's one of the highest paved roads in the country.
The iconic road to Oberalp Pass in the Swiss Alps
Oberalp Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,048m (6,719ft) above sea level, located on the border between the Graubünden and Uri cantons in Switzerland.
What are the highest roads in Switzerland?
Located at the intersection of Western and Central Europe, Switzerland is the continent's undisputed champion of altitude. It is, by land area, the most mountainous country in Europe, with about 20% of the majestic Alps located within its borders. This dramatic terrain is home to approximately 100 peaks that soar near or above 4,000 meters (13,125 feet).
Panoramastrasse Oberaar is a fun road if you enjoy narrow twisty roads in the mountains
Panoramastraße Oberaar is a very scenic high mountain road located in the Grimsel area, in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
A steep road to Lago del Naret in Ticino
Lago del Narèt is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2,310m (7,578ft) above sea level, located in the district of Vallemaggia in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.
Belchen Tunnel is haunted by the ghost of an old lady
Located on the boundary between the Solothurn and Basel-Landschaft cantons of Switzerland, the Belchen Tunnel is said to be one of the most haunted tunnels on Earth. The ghost of an old lady is known to haunt this Swiss road.
An iconic road to Simplon Pass in the Swiss Alps
Simplonpass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Valais, in Switzerland. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads of Switzerland.
The challenging old road to Grimsel Pass
Grimsel Pass Old Road is an old cobblestone road located in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Sanetsch Pass in Switzerland
Col du Sanetsch is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,250m (7,381ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Valais, in Switzerland.
An Unforgettable Drive to Lac d’Emosson in the Swiss Alps
Lac d’Emosson is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Valais, in Switzerland.
Driving the Inferno Murren with a 60% of maximum gradient
In the theatre of Alpine scenery, the Inferno Mürren downhill is one of the most dramatic and challenging 4-wheel experiences on Earth. Located in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, the downhill ski track is 14.9km long on a slope of up to 60% over ice, loose rock, mud, broken asphalt, grass, and gravel.
A scenic mountain road to Ofen Pass in Switzerland
Ofen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.156m (7,073ft) above sea level, located in the Engiadina Bassa/Val Müstair Region of the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
A wild balcony road through the Chluse Gorge in Switzerland
Chluse Gorge is a very scenic canyon located in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. This passageway was used from earliest times. The road through the gorges is so narrow that cars (as well as bikes) are only allowed to drive in each direction for 20 minutes every hour.
38 hairpin turns to Col de la Croix de Coeur in Switzerland
Col de la Croix de Coeur is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.178m (7,145ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Col des Gentianes
Col des Gentianes is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.906m (9,534ft) above sea level, located in the district of Entremont in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Col de la Forclaz in Martigny: A Scenic Mountain Pass in Switzerland's Valais Canton
Col de la Forclaz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.532m (5,026ft) above sea level, located in the district of Martigny in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
Driving the 136 curves of Klausen Pass in the Swiss Alps
Klausen Pass (Klausenpass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.956m (6,417ft) above sea level, located in Switzerland. It’s said to have 136 curves with a difference in altitude of 1.237 meters (bottom to top) to reach the summit.
Road trip guide: Conquering Mannlichen in the Swiss Alps
Männlichen is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.343m (7,687ft) above sea level, located in the Canton of Berne, in Switzerland.
Driving the iconic paved road to Bernina Pass in the Alps
Passo del Bernina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.332m (7,650ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Graubünden, in Switzerland. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads of Switzerland.
Route de l'Hongrin is Switzerland's Secret Mountain Road Through a Military Zone
Route de l'Hongrin is a challenging yet scenic mountain drive located in the canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. Running across «Petit Hongrin», a military zone, the road is open on weekends and during the summer holidays.
The Wild Road to Tomul Pass
Tomül Pass (Tomülpass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.418m (7,933ft) above sea level, located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The road to the summit was built in the 1940s by Polish internees.
Adventure along the wild road to Furggen in Valais
Furggen is a high mountain open meadow at an elevation of 2.457m (8,061ft) above sea level located in the district of Raron in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
Discover Switzerland’s 7 Most Spectacular Mountain Passes for Drivers
Driving through the 7 highest mountain passes in Switzerland requires a technical understanding of the unique right-of-way regulations and seasonal access limits of the Alps. With elevations exceeding 2,400 meters, these routes are critical transit corridors that demand precise timing and a vehicle in optimal mechanical condition to handle sustained vertical stress.
Lac de Derborence: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Lac de Derborence is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,465m (4,806ft) above sea level, located in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The road to the lake is narrow, with a long stretch of continuous handcrafted tunnels and windows, with hair-raising 300m drop-offs.