Opening Swiss Passes 2025

With the arrival of spring, the Swiss Passes reopen to mountain and adventure enthusiasts. Between imposing peaks and enchanting valleys, these Alpine passes offer spectacular views and represent an essential link in the heart of the Alps.

San Bernardino Pass Wa18, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
San Bernardino Pass Wa18, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Switzerland’s mountain passes have played a crucial role in the country’s history, serving as vital arteries for trade, migration and cultural exchange across the Alps. These passes have linked different regions, facilitating interaction between different cultures and economies.

One of the most emblematic is the Gotthard Pass, often referred to as the ‘king of Alpine passes’. Located at 2,106 metres above sea level, it has historically represented a meeting point between different cultures and linguistic regions. Today, it offers visitors the opportunity to explore historic tunnels and immerse themselves in the region’s past.

Another significant example is the Simplon Pass, known for being the first carriage road across the Alps. This pass facilitated trade and movement between north and south, underlining the strategic importance of Swiss passes in European history.

At 2501 metres, the Umbrail Pass is the highest of the Alpine passes in Switzerland, followed by the Nufenen Pass, which reaches 2478 metres. The Great St. Bernard Pass (2473 m) in third place in terms of altitude with its 75 km, connects western Switzerland with Italy (Valle d’Aosta) from where one can reach the Col de l’Iseran in France, the highest Alpine pass in Europe (2770 m).

Over time, these passes were the scene of important infrastructural developments, such as the construction of hospices and roads, which improved accessibility and safety for travellers and traders. Today, in addition to their historical importance, the Swiss passes attract many tourists, hikers and motorcyclists, eager to experience the challenges and beauty offered by these Alpine routes.

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Berninapass Pontresina with the iconic Bernina train Image by Leonhard Lenz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Berninapass Pontresina with the iconic Bernina train Image by Leonhard Lenz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Open all year round (except in adverse weather conditions)

In Switzerland, several Alpine passes remain open all year round, providing road connections even during the winter months. The highest of these is the Bernina Pass, located in Canton Graubünden, which reaches an altitude of 2,330 metres and connects Val Poschiavo with the Engadine.

Another significant pass open all year round is the Julier Pass, also in the canton of Graubünden, which reaches an altitude of 2,284 metres and connects the Val Sursette with the Engadine.

List of passes open all year round:

  • Albis (791 m) – Hausen am Albis — Langnau am Albis
  • Bernina (2328 m) – Poschiavo (GR) — Livigno (I)
  • Brünig (1008 m) – Brienzwiler (BE) — Lungern (OW)
  • Bözberg (569 m) – Frick (AG) — Brugg (AG)
  • Chalet-à-Gobet (872 m) – Lausanne (VD) — Moudon (VD)
  • Col de la Givrine (1228 m) – Les Rousses (F) — Nyon (VD)
  • Col des Etroits (1152 m) – Pontarlier (F) — Yverdon-Les-Bains (VD)
  • Col des Montets (1461 m) – Chamonix (F) — Martigny (VS)
  • Col des Mosses (1445 m) – Aigle (VD) — Château-d’Oex (VD)
  • Col des Planches (1408 m) – Martigny (VS) — Sembrancher (VS)
  • Col des Pontins (1119 m) – Saint-Imier (BE) — Neuchâtel (NE)
  • Col des Rangiers (856 m) – Cornol (JU) — Develier (JU)
  • Col des Roches (920 m) – Morteau (F) — Le Locle (NE)
  • Col du Marchairuz (1447 m) – Le Brassus (VD) — Bière (VD)
  • Col du Mollendruz (1174 m) – Le Pont (VD) — Mont-la-Ville (VD)
  • Col du Pillon (1546 m) – Aigle (VD) — Gstaad (BE)
  • Etzel (949 m) – Pfäffikon (SZ) — Einsiedeln (SZ)
  • Passo del Forno (2149 m) – Zernez (GR) — Santa Maria (GR)
  • Gurnigel (1610 m) – Riggisberg — Plaffeien (FR)
  • Hulftegg (953 m) – Steg im Tösstal (ZH) — Mühlrüti (SG)
  • Ibergeregg (1406 m) – Svitto (SZ) — Oberiberg (SZ)
  • Jaun (1509 m) – Broc (FR) — Reidenbach (BE)
  • Julier (2284 m) – Savognin (GR) — Silvaplana (GR)
  • Kerenzerberg (734 m) – Mollis (GL) — Mühlehorn (GL)
  • La Forclaz (1526 m) – Martigny (VS) — Le Châtelard (VS)
  • La Scheulte (1051 m) – Balsthal (SO) — Mervelier (JU)
  • La Tourne (1170 m) – Corcelles (NE) — Les Ponts de Martel (NE)
  • Lenzerheide (1547 m) – Coira (GR) — Tiefencastel (GR)
  • Lucomagno (Lukmanier) (1914 m) – Disentis/Mustér (GR) — Olivone (TI)
  • Maloja (1815 m) – Chiavenna (I) — Silvaplana (GR)
  • Mont-Crosin (1227 m) – Saint-Imier (BE) — Tramelan (BE)
  • Monte Ceneri (556 m) – Cadenazzo (TI) — Rivera (TI)
  • Oberer Hauenstein (730 m) – Balsthal (SO) — Oberdorf (BL)
  • Pas de Morgins (1371 m) – Abondance (F) — Monthey (VS)
  • Passwang (943 m) – Erschwil (SO) — Mümliswil (SO)
  • Pierre-Pertuis (827 m) – Sonceboz (BE) — Tavannes (BE)
  • Raten (1077 m) – Oberägeri (ZG) — Biberbrugg (SZ)
  • Ricken (795 m) – St. Gallenkappel (SG) — Wattwil (SG)
  • Ruppen (1016 m) – Trogen (AR) — Altstätten (SG)
  • Saanenmöser (1279 m) – Zweisimmen (BE) — Saanen (BE)
  • Salhöhe (787 m) – Kienberg (SO) — Erlinsbach (AG)
  • Sattel (933 m) – Schindellegi (SZ) — Schwyz (SZ)
  • Sattelegg (1190 m) – Einsiedeln (SZ) — Siebnen (SZ)
  • Schallenberg (1168 m) – Oberei (BE) — Schangnau (BE)
  • Schwägalp (1299 m) – Neu St. Johann (SG) — Urnäsch (AR)
  • Sempione (2005 m) – Briga (VS) — Iselle (I)
  • St. Luzisteig (716 m) – Maienfeld (GR) — Balzers (FL)
  • Staffelegg (620 m) – Frick (AG) — Aarau (AG)
  • Stoss (971 m) – Gais (AR) — Altstätten (SG)
  • Unterer Hauenstein (690 m) – Olten (SO) — Sissach (BL)
  • Vue-des-Alpes (1283 m) – Neuchâtel (NE) — La Chaux-de-Fonds (NE)
  • Wasserfluh (843 m) – Lichtensteig (SG) — St. Peterzell (SG)
  • Weissenstein (1279 m) – Oberdorf (SO) — Gänsbrunnen (SO)
  • Wildhaus (1090 m) – Wattwil (SG) — Gams (SG)
  • Wolfgang (1631 m) – Klosters (GR) — Davos (GR)

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Gotthardpass Ticino side Image by Chris Sche-Bo
Gotthardpass Ticino side Image by Chris Sche-Bo

Passes closed in winter and reopened in spring/summer

(generally closed from November/December to April/May, except in extraordinary weather conditions)

This year, due to reduced snowfall on the Alpine passes, clearing work has already begun and many reopenings are planned earlier than in previous years.

 

  • Ächerli (1,457 m) – Kerns (OW) → Dallerwil (NW) (December – April)
  • Albula (2,312 m) – Bergün (GR) → La Punt (GR) (November – June)
    👉 Expected opening: 16.05.2025
  • Chasseral (1,502 m) – St. Imier (BE) → Nods (BE) (December – April)
  • Col de la Croix (1,778 m) – Bex (VD) → Les Diablerets (VD) (November – May)
  • Flüela (2,383 m) – Davos (GR) → Susch (GR) (November – May)
    ✅ Open since: 16.04.2025
  • Forcola di Livigno (2,315 m) – Livigno (IT) → La Motta (GR) (November – May)
  • Furka (2,429 m) – Obergoms (VS) → Realp (UR) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: end of May 2025
    The Furka Pass, the third highest paved mountain pass in Switzerland, is famous for the James Bond film Goldfinger.
  • Glaubenberg (1,543 m) – Entlebuch (LU) → Sarnen (OW) (November – May)
  • Glaubenbüelen (1,611 m) – Sörenberg (LU) → Giswil (OW) (November – May)
  • Great St. Bernard (2,469 m) – Martigny (VS) → Aosta (IT) (November – May)
    Famous for the hospice and the iconic rescue dogs, the pass lies entirely within Swiss territory.
  • Grimsel (2,164 m) – Innertkirchen (BE) → Gletsch (VS) (November – May)
  • Grosse Scheidegg (1,962 m) – Grindelwald (BE) → Meiringen (BE) (November – May)
  • Klausen (1,948 m) – Altdorf (UR) → Linthal (GL) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: mid-May 2025
  • Nufenen / Novena (2,478 m) – Ulrichen (VS) → Airolo (TI) (November – May)
  • Oberalp (2,044 m) – Andermatt (UR) → Sedrun (GR) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: 25.04.2025
  • Pragel (1,558 m) – Muotathal (SZ) → Riedern (GL) (November – May)
  • Gotthard Pass (Old Tremola Road) (2,091 m) – Airolo (TI) → Gotthard Pass (November – May)
    Scenic, historic, ideal for bikes and motorcycles.
  • Gotthard Pass (2,108 m) – Andermatt (UR) → Airolo (TI) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: mid-May 2025
  • Sanetsch (2,252 m) – Sion (VS) → Lake Sanetsch (VS) (November – May)
  • San Bernardino (2,065 m) – Hinterrhein (GR) → San Bernardino (GR) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: 30.05.2025
  • Splügen / Spluga (2,113 m) – Splügen (GR) → Chiavenna (Italy) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: 01.05.2025
  • Susten (2,224 m) – Wassen (UR) → Innertkirchen (BE) (November – May)
    👉 Expected opening: mid-June 2025
  • Umbrail (2,501 m) – Santa Maria (GR) → Bormio (Italy) (November – May)
    Also known as Giogo di Santa Maria, it is the highest paved road pass in Switzerland.

 

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