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 the 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.

Furka Pass

Where is the Furka Pass?

Set high in the Swiss Alps, the pass is located on the boundary between the Canton of Uri and the Canton of Valais, on the southern part of the country, near the Italian border.

When was the road through Furka Pass built?

The pass has a long history since the 14th century. The road was built for strategic military reasons and it was the longest pass road in Switzerland when it was opened in 1867.

How long is the Furka Pass?

The road to the summit is mostly paved, with only a few stretches of cobblestone. It’s called Furkastrasse/Route 19. The pass is 31.5 km (19,57 miles) long, running from Andermatt (in the Canton of Uri) to Gletsch (in the Canton of Valais).

Is the Furka Pass open?

The pass is usually open from late May till early November because the region gets a lot of snow in the winter. Check the weather forecast first if you want to enjoy the view without driving in the clouds.

Is the Furka Pass steep?

Starting from Amsteg, the ascent is 42.0km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1.942m and the average percentage is 4.6% and the maximum gradient is 10.3%. And starting from Brig, the ascent is 57.8km long. Over this distance the average gain is 1.897m and the average percentage is 3%. The maximum gradient is 10.8%.

Is the Furka Pass worthwhile?

The journey is very scenic, with stunning views along the way. This is a remarkable road trip, with views of glaciers, mountaintops, and forested areas. Make sure you leave enough time to make plenty of stops along the way. As you drive along the road, you may see the train that runs along the mountainside, creating an amazing scene for you to hold in your memory. Countless tourists are attracted by the unique mountain panorama, the Rhone Glacier with its ice grotto, the attractive options for hiking, climbing and skiing tours, as well as the reopened steam railway. The Furka Pass also takes you within a few hundred meters of the Rhone Glacier, source of the Rhone river. Here you can park up and walk up to and actually inside the glacier itself. Travelers can actually walk through the glacier by booking a tour. Though the tunnel through the glacier is only 100 meters in length, you will want to make sure you dress warmly, because it doesn't take long for your body temperature to reach dangerous levels. Although the glacier has retreated dramatically in recent years, it still really is an incredible site, around 7km in length. The curvy trip with the stunning road and the glacier at the top makes this whole diversion worth it. Take a lot of time to travel this road - stop and check all the views. It's really incredible. There are plenty of places to stop and have a view/snack.

Is the Furka Pass challenging?

The road is very wide and perfectly surfaced. The road does get busier at weekends and in the main holiday season. Traffic has increased constantly. Nowadays more than 250,000 people cross the pass each year on cycles or motorcycles, in private cars, in Alpine Post Buses or by historic steam train on the reopened rack-and-pinion railway section across the mountains. The switchbacks are scary and exhilarating. But it’s one of the most impressive Alpine crossings in the country. It’s an amazing drive, with awesome scenery and challenging hairpin turns. The road is in good condition and well signposted and the views are spectacular and breathtaking. But the weather factor is really important. The drive is thrilling. A must do and see! This is also regarded as one of the most dangerous and difficult roads. The precipitous slopes aren’t easy to navigate, especially the first section. At least it is wide and smooth: but in the dark or rain it can be very hard to drive. However once you hit the road, be prepared to capture the sites like the Rhone glacier, the Schöllenen Gorge, numerous valleys and small Swiss villages.

Furka Pass James Bond

Where Was the James Bond Movie Goldfinger Filmed?

In 1964, the legendary hairpin bends on the pass earned their place in cinema history thanks to the James Bond film Goldfinger, the third James Bond film, in the scene in which Tilly Masterson attempts to snipe Goldfinger. It was filmed in front of the Rhone Glacier. If you want the full James Bond experience, you can even visit at the iconic petrol station in Andermatt where Bond and Tilly Masterson part ways following her failed attempt to assassinate Goldfinger – it’s now part of the Aurora Hotel. But you’ll probably look anything but Bond-style glamorous when tackling it: steep slopes, hairpin bends, switchbacks and sharp, blind curves make this a white-knuckle ride to all but the most experienced (or crazy) drivers. At least the road’s wide and perfectly surfaced – this is Switzerland, after all. One curve on the east side of the pass is even named "James Bond Strasse". At the sign, there is a lookout point with a small parking area.
Pic: Erwin de Wolff