Susten Pass Switzerland

The Susten Pass in Switzerland is one of the most scenic alpine routes in the country, and it's packed with history, engineering feats, and breathtaking views. Here are 10 of the most interesting facts about it:

• Modern Engineering Marvel (Opened in 1945)

  The Susten Pass was one of the first major Alpine roads built specifically for cars, not horse-drawn carriages or earlier transport methods. It opened in 1945, just as World War II ended.

• Connects Key Regions

  It connects the canton of Uri (Wassen) with the canton of Bern (Innertkirchen), forming part of a popular scenic triangle with the Grimsel and Furka passes.

• Popular Among Driving Enthusiasts

  The road is a favorite among car and motorcycle drivers, thanks to its smooth curves, wide lanes, and spectacular panoramic views—perfect for alpine road trips and performance driving.

• Tunnel Under the Peak

  The highest point (2,260 meters or 7,415 feet) is not the road's actual peak—instead, the road passes through a tunnel beneath the Sustenlimmi ridge, adding to its engineering intrigue.

• Seasonal Access Only

  Due to heavy snow, the pass is closed during winter, typically open from June to October depending on snow conditions. It's not cleared in winter, which makes it a summer-only spectacle.

• Views of the Stein Glacier

  One of its most famous features is the Stein Glacier (Steingletscher), which you can see right from the road—it's one of the few places in Europe where you can see a glacier up close without hiking.

• Filming & Photography Hotspot

  Its stunning landscapes and road design make it popular in car commercials, travel videos, and photo shoots—especially drone footage that shows the winding roads hugging the mountain slopes.

• Wildlife Spotting

  You're likely to spot alpine wildlife such as ibex, marmots, and golden eagles. It’s also rich in alpine flora, especially during the short summer bloom.

• Cycling Challenge

  The Susten Pass is a bucket-list climb for cyclists, featuring about 28 km of ascent from the west side, with around 1,600 meters of elevation gain. It’s grueling but spectacular.

• Historic Route with Ruins

  Along the route, you can find remnants of old military roads and fortifications, as the region was part of strategic alpine defense routes during and after WWII.

Traveling along Routes 6 and 11 in Switzerland is an adventure in itself, with the roads winding through stunning alpine landscapes. These highways feature 26 bridges and tunnels, showcasing impressive engineering amidst nature’s grandeur. The roads have an average grade of about 5.8%, with the steepest sections reaching up to 9%. It’s remarkable to see how these steep grades are navigated not just by vehicles but also by an endless stream of dedicated cyclists.

The journey peaks at the Susten Pass, standing at an impressive 7,414 feet above sea level. It’s hard to fathom how these cyclists manage such a grueling climb, especially given the reduced oxygen levels at high altitude. Their resilience is awe-inspiring!

The steepest grades on the Susten Pass vary depending on the specific segment, with some sections ranging from 7% to an astonishing 15.3%, making it a true test of endurance for any rider or driver.

NOTE: Click here to view a great video of the drive from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen -- Many thanks to 7ze3 Travels for this great video.

• Innertkirchen: The steepest quarter mile of this climb is 15.3%, and the steepest continuous mile is 10.9%. The average grade is 5.7%.
• Wassen: The climb is consistently hard, with grades of 7–9%.
• MyCols: The average grade is 5.6%, with a maximum of 7.5%.

The steepest quarter mile of the Susten Pass is 15.3% and steepest continuous mile is 10.9%. 2.5 miles of the climb is at or above 10% grade.

This drive showcases the natural beauty of th Switzerland region, with every mile providing a new postcard-worthy view. It's a perfect blend of serenity and adventure, allowing travelers to soak in the tranquility of the Swiss countryside while experiencing the thrill of navigating mountain roads. Whether in summer or winter, the Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen drive is a must for those seeking an immersive encounter with Switzerland's stunning alpine landscapes.

These are the types of views you get as you ascend to the top of the pass, the road that you just came up displays it's switchbacks and incredible geography. This route might not have the amazing switchbacks of the Stelvio Pass, but the ascent is steep and the curves are challenging!

NOTE: Image # 1 is the property of Epik Drives

Click here to visit the "Epik Drives" Website as their images and narrative about various European Drives, is very good. This link will bring you to their Stelvio Pass page.

We had stopped here as they were doing some repairs to the tunnel on the left in this pic. So since we could not continue to drive further until they allowed traffic to use the single lane tunnel, we decided to stretch and take some more pictures.

As we made our way down the mountain road, we were met with a dramatic and unforgettable sight—the Stein Glacier, a magnificent sheet of ancient ice, gradually melting into the serene Steinsee (Stein Lake) nestled at the base of the hill. This striking glacial landscape is a powerful reminder of the natural forces that have shaped the Swiss Alps over millennia, and also a poignant symbol of the effects of climate change, as the glacier continues to retreat with each passing year.

But the raw beauty of this area isn’t just appreciated by hikers, geologists, and nature lovers. The region has also left its mark on film history. Just beyond the glacier, the winding alpine road known as the Furka Pass has achieved cinematic fame—most notably as a filming location for the classic James Bond film "Goldfinger" (1964). In one of the movie’s most iconic chase scenes, Sean Connery’s James Bond races along this very stretch of road in his legendary Aston Martin DB5, with the breathtaking Alpine backdrop serving as the perfect high-stakes setting.

The fact that this region was chosen for such a memorable moment in film underscores its uniquely dramatic scenery, blending snowcapped peaks, glacial lakes, and curving mountain highways into a landscape that is as thrilling as it is beautiful. Whether you're a Bond fan, a nature enthusiast, or simply a traveler in search of unforgettable vistas, the Stein Glacier and Furka Pass region offer a spectacular and cinematic experience like no other.

 Image Credit: Image # 2 is the propertyv of Yesuitus2001 via Wikimedia Commons using the CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Click this image to view a video we made as we drove across route 11 to Lake Como, Italy. The switch-backs and views we encountered on this highway are amazing!

Or if you like our videos click here to subscribe to our Youtube Channel.

As route 11 descends from the summit and on one of the final major curves, we come across the Restaurant Sustenbruggli. Since most of our drive had been "white knuckle driving" we decided to stop and get something cold to drink and maybe a light lunch.

See where the highway swings away to the left? That is route 11 headed up to the summit and that is the corner of the building where we got a table. And the entire time we sat there, there were numerous bicycle riders headed up the Susten Pass towards the summit and making good speed! However, you can see by the large number of motorcycles parked here how popular this route is for that community !

After we finished lunch, we got back onto route 11 until it merged into Switzerland route 2 and headed south to the Gottard Road Tunnel - the deepest auto tunnel in the world! At 16.9 kilometers in length, it is an amazing engineering achievement & the fifth longest auto tunnel in the world.

There are a number of web cams in & around the Gotthard Tunnel, click here to see a list of them.

IMAGE CREDITS Both images are the property of the Restaurant Sustenbrüggli.

• Top Drives on the "Epik Drives" site.
• Best Scenic Drives in Switzerland on the "Frommers" site.
• 10 Best Road Trips in Switzerland on the "Studying in Switzerland" site.
• The 7 most scenic road trips in Switzerland on the "Lonely Planet" site.
• Top 10 most exciting mountain passes in Switzerland on the "Go Look Explore" site.
• 7 Epic Roads to Drive in Switzerland on the "Expert World Travel" site.
• A wild balcony road through the Chluse Gorge on the "Dangerous Roads" site.
• Best Alpine Drives in Switzerland on the "Auto Europe" site.
• 21 of Europe’s Most Magnificent Drives on the "Trips to Discover" site.