From the Gotthard and Klausen to the Pragel and Glaubenbielen: Alpine classics and narrow Prealps roads.
Always confirm with official road info before riding.
| Pass | Summit | Status | Winter | Difficulty | Rating | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furkapass | 2,429 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Moderate | 3.5 | closed |
| Gotthardpass (Tremola) | 2,106 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Moderate | 3.5 | closed |
| Oberalppass | 2,044 m | Open | Closed in winter | Easy | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Klausenpass | 1,948 m | Open | Closed in winter | Moderate | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Glaubenbielenpass (Panoramastrasse) Notice | 1,611 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Demanding | 3.5 | closed |
| Pragelpass | 1,548 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Demanding | 3.5 | closed |
| Glaubenbergpass | 1,543 m | Open | Closed in winter | Moderate | 3.5* | 3.5 |
| Ibergeregg | 1,406 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Moderate | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Sattelegg | 1,190 m | Open | Winter closure unconfirmed | Demanding | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Brünigpass | 1,008 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Moderate | 3.0* | 1.5 |
Stars: Passklar rating from route data and today's rating from weather and pass status. Not rider reviews. * provisional. How we rate
Researched suggestions, not routes we have ridden. Distances approximate.
The Oberalp has the lowest maximum gradient of all 16 passes in our list (6%). Average gradients are 5.6% (Andermatt side) and 4.4% (Sedrun side). The road is built for 18 t trucks. It is short, with cafés at the summit lake, and you can ride it out and back from Andermatt.
This joins the two easiest passes in our list (max 6% and 9%, both with averages of 5.6% or less) into a north-to-south Alpine crossing. Disentis in the middle is a natural fuel and coffee stop.
Not for a first day. All three passes have a maximum of 9–11% (none above 11%) on mostly wide or medium roads, but the loop is long (about 4.5 h of riding per the source) and very busy on summer weekends. Furka is exposed, and the Susten has unlit tunnels. Ride it on a weekday morning after the easy routes.
This adds the Gotthard (max 9%, wide modern road) to the two easy passes. Take the main pass road, not the cobbled Tremola, which is narrow, full of hairpins and slippery when wet. The return via Biasca and Airolo has plenty of fuel.
Not for beginners. The Pragel is mostly single lane with pitches up to 18%, and the Sattelegg reaches 14%. The Glarus side of the Pragel is closed to cars and motorcycles on Saturdays and Sundays, so this loop only works Monday to Friday. Lucerne Tourism also warns of heavy weekend traffic on the Ibergeregg and on the Richisau–Klöntal–Glarus stretch.
Not a first ride. The Glaubenbielen Panoramastrasse reaches 12% and is narrow enough that buses run in alternating hourly windows. The Glaubenberg has many cattle grids, and cows may be on the road on the Obwalden side. The reward is two quiet moorland passes and Lake Sarnen in one loop.
A next-step tour rather than a first one. The Brünig is a wide main road but has a 13% pitch and heavy traffic. The Glaubenbielen is narrow with up to 12%, and the Schallenberg is full of motorcycles on fine weekends. The return along Lake Thun and Lake Brienz is easy riding.