Most of Switzerland's high passes: Albula, Flüela, Julier, Bernina, Umbrail and more.
Always confirm with official road info before riding.
| Pass | Summit | Status | Winter | Difficulty | Rating | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umbrailpass | 2,501 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Demanding | 3.5 | closed |
| Flüelapass | 2,383 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Demanding | 3.5 | closed |
| Berninapass | 2,328 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Moderate | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Forcola di Livigno | 2,315 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Demanding | 4.0* | closed |
| Albulapass | 2,312 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Demanding | 3.5* | closed |
| Julierpass | 2,284 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Moderate | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Ofenpass (Pass dal Fuorn) | 2,149 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Moderate | 4.0* | 2.0 |
| Splügenpass | 2,115 m | Open | Closed in winter | Demanding | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| San Bernardinopass | 2,065 m | Closed | Closed in winter | Moderate | 3.5 | closed |
| Lukmanierpass | 1,915 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Easy | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Malojapass | 1,815 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Easy | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Wolfgangpass | 1,631 m | Open | Open in winter (conditions apply) | Moderate | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Lenzerheidepass | 1,549 m | Open | Winter closure unconfirmed | Moderate | 3.5* | 2.0 |
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 gentlest long pass in our list: average gradients of only 3.7% (north) and 4% (south), maximum 9% (source). It is open all year, quieter than the Gotthard axis, and climbs through pastures past the Sontga Maria reservoir.
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.
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.
Two wide main roads that are open all year (winter equipment required in winter), with glacier views on the Bernina. The Julier has short pitches of up to 12% and the Bernina up to 10%. The descent to Poschiavo is long and steeper, so watch your brakes.
One of the big days of the Alps, not a beginner ride. The Umbrail has about 33 tight hairpins and up to 12%, and the Stelvio (Italy) follows. The Flüela reaches 14.6%. You return via Livigno through the single-lane Munt la Schera toll tunnel (about CHF 15–35, alternating traffic). Carry ID for two border crossings.
A good second step: one pass on a wide main road that is open all year, with a maximum of 11%. The climb from Chur is long (about 7% over 14 km), so ride the loop as published, climbing from Tiefencastel and descending to Chur. Returns along the Rhine valley without another pass.
The Maloja has a maximum of 9% and is open all year. The Engadin side is almost flat along the lakes (0.1% average), and the Bregaglia side averages 4.6% (IAP). The hairpins below Maloja come in a series, so take them slowly and turn round at Bondo or Castasegna. Busy with Italy traffic at weekends.