Grimsel Pass is a 5 stars road in the Swiss Alps
Grimsel Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.164m (7,100ft) above the sea level located on the boundary of Bern and Valais cantons of Switzerland. It’s one of the most famous Alpine roads of Switzerland.
How long is the Grimsel Pass?
The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s 38 km (23 miles) long, running south-north from Gletsch (in the canton of Valais) to Meiringen (in the canton of Bern). The pass links the Hasli Valley (in the Bernese Oberland) with the Goms district (in the Valais).
Is the Grimsel pass open?
Set high in the Bernese Alps, this road is usually impassable from early November through late May or early June due to the high snowfall on the pass. Due to the high altitude of the pass, and its continental location, the climate is cool or cold all year round, and receives a fair amount of precipitation year round (the majority of which is snow). Snow usually falls from late September until late June, although during cool spells, it can snow at the height of summer.
Is the Grimsel pass worth it?
It’s said to be one of Switzerland’s most iconic mountain passes and perfect to combine with Susten Pass and Furka Pass. It’s a road that was artfully drawn on the landscape, basically traffic free. The road leads along many sparkling reservoir lakes with more marvelous views to enjoy. On the top, the peak of Grimsel Pass, there is a cozy cafe, perfect for a stop and a coffee.
Is Grimsel Pass challenging?
The first road through the pass was built in 1894. Grimsel Pass doesn’t offer much of danger but it’s dubbed one of the world’s most insane roads. Today, it’s a 5 stars road. It’s totally paved and wide. The final ascent to the top is one of the best, with some great switchbacks, and excellent views ahead throughout, there are very few blind bends or unsighted crests. The run back down from the top is much narrower, the road not quite so smooth, however still fun, but you do have to concentrate all the way down to the valley floor, as on-coming traffic can be difficult to negotiate along some stretches, and there are a number of blind bends. There are quite a few tunnels up Grimsel. But the two biggest can be avoided by following the old paved cliff road – fine for a road bike. Three others can also be avoided by the old cliff road …. but they are not paved – but fine if not on a road bike.
Is Grimsel Pass steep?
It has been featured on the Tour de Suisse. Starting from Oberwald, the ascent is 12.1 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 797 meters. The average percentage is 6.6 % and the maximum slope is 11 %. And starting from Innertkirchen, the ascent is 26 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1.540 meters. The average percentage is 5.9 % and the maximum slope is 11 %. It’s a big, long climb – with uneven grading, sometimes very steep, sometimes false flat, but relentless.
Pic: Sayed Alemzada