Grimsel–Furka–Susten Pass Loop
A classic Swiss loop starting from the Bernese Oberland and linking the Grimsel, Furka and Susten passes, with the highest point at Furka Pass (2,429 m).
The Swiss Three Passes Loop starts and ends at Innertkirchen, near Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland, and crosses the Grimsel Pass (2,164 m), the Furka Pass (2,429 m) and the Susten Pass (2,224 m) in turn. The loop covers about 130 km and is one of Switzerland's most popular one-day driving and motorcycle routes. It first follows the Aare valley and the Aare Gorge up to the Grimsel Pass, passing several high-mountain reservoirs. After descending to Gletsch, where you can see the source of the Rhône Glacier, it climbs the Furka Pass in a series of hairpin bends. This is the filming location of the James Bond film Goldfinger. The route then descends to Andermatt in the Urseren Valley, passes through the Schöllenen Gorge, where the Devil's Bridge stands, and continues to Wassen. It crosses the Susten Pass, where you can see the Steingletscher and a glacial lake nearby, and finally returns to Innertkirchen via the Gadmen Valley. The full drive takes about 4 hours, but a full day is recommended, with an overnight stay in Andermatt. The passes are open only in summer and autumn, and there are many coaches, postal buses and cyclists. When a postal bus sounds its three-tone horn, you must give way. The weather changes quickly, and the passes often fog up, so check road conditions in advance.