The Furka pass is the second highest pass in Switzerland and connects the Urseren valley in the canton of Uri with the district of Goms in the canton of Valais. Only the Nufenen pass is situated higher. The roads of the pass were built between 1863 and 1867 and the width varies from 4.5 to 6 metres. On the Uri side the roads are quite narrow and should be used with caution. Crossing is more difficult for motorists at some points. With a little consideration it is however well feasible. On the Welsh side, the roads are wider and better developed, crossing here is even for coaches well feasible.
On the Valais side of the Furka Pass, you should definitely take the opportunity to stop and enjoy the view of the fantastic Alpine panorama. A small fun fact: On a part of the route the chase for the James Bond Film Goldfinger was filmed. The most famous point of the pass is certainly the Hotel Belvédère and the Rhone Glacier. A visit (for a fee) to the ice grotto (in german "Eisgrotte") at the foot of the Rhone Glacier (sometimes called the Rotten Glacier) is highly recommended. The Rhone, France's most water-rich river, rises from the glacier. Which finally flows into the Mediterranean Sea after 800km in the south of France. The Hotel Belvédère, which has been closed since 2015, is located directly in a hairpin bend and is a very popular photo motif. On numerous Instagram profiles you can find this world-famous view.
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The Urner side offers less stopping possibilities and views. Due to the fact that the road is narrower and less well developed on this part, one should anyway concentrate more on driving here. If you want to combine the Furka pass, the royal circuit (Furka, Grimsel, Susten) and the Gotthard circuit (Furka, Nufenen, Lukmanier, Oberalp) are recommended.
| Passprofil |
Furkapass |
| Höhe |
2'436 Meter |
| Länge |
28 Kilometer |
| Spitzkehren |
21 |
| Schwierigkeit |
mittel |
| Wintersperre |
Oktober - Mai |
| Maximales Gefälle |
|
| Hospental - Passhöhe |
10 % |
| Passhöhe - Gletsch |
11 % |
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