Last Updated on: March 26, 2025

Swiss roads and passes can be an awesome experience. Gravel roads are a bit more difficult to find, but they do exist.

Along Furka pass road, past Obergoms. Grimsel pass road in the rear.

Gravel roads were not part of our “plans” this summer. If in Switzerland, looking for Swiss roads that offers gravel fun then this list might be worth looking at. NB! I don’t know how well it’s maintained, if at all. The status of these roads might have changed.

As for pavement ones, where motorized vehicles are allowed, it depends on time of the year and, of course weather. Generally speaking most of the passes are open from June through to October. All depending on time of the year it’s a good idea to check beforehand.

Top 10 Swiss passes (for motorized vehicles)

• Furka Pass (2,429 m): offering stunning glacier views, mountains and valleys.
• Grimsel Pass (2,164 m): known for glorious landscape and water reservoirs.
• Susten Pass (2,264 m): a great route with tunnels and alpine scenery.
• Gotthard Pass (2,106 m): a historic pass, also has an old cobblestone route known by the name Tremola.
• Simplon Pass (2,005 m): an important connection to Italy with a well-maintained road.
• Great St. Bernard Pass (2,469 m): one of the oldest passes, linking Switzerland with Italy.
• Nufenen Pass (2,478 m): the highest entirely Swiss pass. Stunning views to be had here!
• Albula Pass (2,312 m): a mix of history, nature, and beautiful road engineering.
• Julier Pass (2,284 m): open year-round, leading to the Engadin region.
• Bernina Pass (2,328 m): situated near the Bernina Express railway.

Now, back to the “story”…

Swiss roads, to Kandersteg

Won’t remember the traffic hell in Basel fondly, with temps in the tunnels hovering around 36-38C. But sometimes shit just happens. In this case, “hot shit”. I should know better, having had my more than fair share of traffic experiences all over Europe. Being at the wrong place, at the wrong time. What else is there to say than, sometimes one (apparently) need reminders.

Finally out on the other side, being able to breathe normally again, we followed the E25 in direction of Bern. But city sightseeing wasn’t on our wish lists. Bern is a nice little town though. If you pass here, and have time, consider to park your motorcycle and have a little walk around.

View of parts of Bern, taken July 2017

Past Bern we took road 6 slightly south-east in direction of Spiez, then made the ad-hoc choice of riding in direction of Kandersteg. Which meant we rode in direction Furka pass, Grimsel pass, and onwards towards Italy.

A train experience

As we got closer to Kandersteg there were road-side signs depicting cars on a train. I’d never taken this road before, and therefore didn’t know we were heading in direction of the Kandersteg – Goppenstein – car transport train. So I thought it was one of at least two alternatives. Turned out it was the only one, but a cool surprise to be honest!

As we approached the train station bad weather quickly formed over the mountains. The sky turned almost black as we rolled into a car, protected from torrential rain and strong winds. Good timing! And good means of transportation.

if you’d like to watch the whole journey, from a car’s perspective, then check out this video.

The Motorcycle car on the Kandersteg–Goppenstein train.

The journey took about 15 minutes. Out on the other side we rode down from Goppenstein, sitting at ca 1200 meters altitude. It was a little wet and slippery, but we had escaped the rain on the other side of Lötschberg. Reaching the valley floor the weather cleared up and we were greeted with nice temperatures and evening sun.

We had booked a hotel in Naters, in a good position for the next day’s ride. Interesting and confusing experience, since the hotel was on one side of the street, and the reception in another hotel further up. GPS navigation certainly didn’t help much.

Furka pass road

Furka pass road, or Furkastrasse in German, is among the best known Swiss roads. Without knowing it at the time, our overnight stay in Naters was at the very beginning of Furkastrasse. Something I realized much later. Funny how things play out sometimes. I guess “being at the doorstep of…” would apply well.

Along Furka pass road, looking in direction of Obergoms.

After a (very) good breakfast we rode in direction of Obergoms, all while we climbed steadily. I chose stop a few times and take these pictures. At Gletch we contemplated a bit on the direction. Whether to do Grimsel pass road, or continue along Furka to the Furka pass.

Furka pass road, looking towards Gletsch

We considered to take the road north up to Grimsel pass. Then continue to Innerkirchen and turn east towards and over Susten pass. The other alternative could have been to just ride up to Grimsel pass, and back down the same way.

Looking up Grimselstrasse, or Grimsel pass road. Pretty impressive!

In the end we decided to leave that for another adventure. And instead continue east. Since Truls-Erik had never been in these parts I had suggested to take aim at Italy and Stelvio. Then continue over into Austria and do a couple of passes there, before returning back north.

Higher up on Furka pass road, looking in direction of Gletsch.

Swiss roads, Furka & onwards

Riding with others I sometimes find it hard to stop for pictures, stop to marvel at the nature, the scenery, or mountains. Even if those I ride with says it cool. One tries to be considerate. Being in Switzerland under such glorious conditions, I decided to do what I normally do, and stop when it felt right.

It’s hard to not feel happy when you’re viewing something like this!

Looking at pictures later am glad I did!

Finally we crossed over the Furka pass and began the descent down on the other side, towards Andermatt. Spectacular would not be a big word to use for this area. And this comes from a Norwegian who’s thoroughly spoilt with glorious nature at home.

Now riding here on a BMW 1250GS after two KTMs I will say it is a perfect “tool” for such experiences. But in truth I think anyone would be exceedingly happy riding anything on two wheels. Back in 2021 or 2022 I rode in Europe with a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Those adventures were indeed super!

Val Mustair, looking east in direction of Italy

In Tamine we turned south, and continued on road 13 in direction of Albula pass, later also Val Mustair. We were getting closer to the border to Italy and Stelvio. But that will be for another post. Suffice to say that, when you get on Alpine Swiss roads you will not be disappointed!

Back soon with more!