CENTRAL SWISS ALPS / 3-DAY ROAD TRIP
Swiss Three Passes Road Trip: Furka, Grimsel and Susten
Three Alpine passes in one coherent loop. Follow a 3-day route with stops in order, named roads, overnight bases and the driving mistakes to avoid.
At a glance
Why this road trip is worth doing
Furka, Grimsel and Susten fit together naturally, but the best version is not a stopwatch challenge. Use three days to cross the passes, stop in the valleys and leave space for cloud or a late opening. Begin and finish in Andermatt, with a night around Meiringen in between. The loop works only when all three passes are open; tunnels and lower valleys provide transfers but do not reproduce the same journey.
Stops in order
Andermatt → Furka Pass → Gletsch → Grimsel Pass → Meiringen → Susten Pass → Andermatt — finish.
The roads to follow
Andermatt–Hospental–Realp on the Furka road; Gletsch–Grimsel–Guttannen–Innertkirchen; short Meiringen excursion; back to Innertkirchen and over Susten via Gadmen to Wassen; south via Göschenen to Andermatt.
How to spread the trip over 3 days
Day 1 Andermatt and Furka, sleep Gletsch; day 2 Grimsel and Meiringen; day 3 Susten and return to Andermatt.
Where to stay
- Night 1: Gletsch. Choose accommodation with confirmed parking.
- Night 2: Meiringen. Choose accommodation with confirmed parking.
The routing mistake to avoid
At Gletsch turn onto Grimsel rather than continuing down the Rhône valley. At Innertkirchen choose Susten, not Brünig. Do not drive around a closure barrier.
Distance and pacing
Approximately 130–150 km for the core loop; hotel excursions extra. This is a planning estimate, not a measured navigation track. Hotel approaches, parking searches and extra excursions add distance. Save the named intermediate places before departure; do not rely on a single start-to-finish search.
Mapped and ready
See the real route before you set off
Open the interactive map before travelling and save an offline map for the journey.
Route itinerary
Build the journey day by day
Andermatt
Check the complete loop’s road status before setting off. Allow time for the village rather than beginning with a rushed arrival.
Route advice: Starting point; head via Hospental and Realp.
Parking or booking: Use town or hotel parking.
Furka Pass
Stop at authorised viewpoints for the high Alpine scenery. Any glacier attraction is a separate visit with its own access arrangements.
Route advice: Furka pass road from Realp.
Parking or booking: se marked bays; narrow bends are not photo stops.
Gletsch
Break the trip at the junction of two passes. This makes a useful overnight pause before the next climb.
Route advice: Descend the western side of Furka.
Parking or booking: Confirm accommodation and meals before arriving.
Grimsel Pass
Allow an hour or more for the summit landscape and lakeside views.
Route advice: Take the Grimsel road north-west from Gletsch.
Parking or booking: Use established summit parking.
Meiringen
Spend the afternoon in the valley; choose one gorge or waterfall visit rather than adding another pass.
Route advice: Descend via Guttannen to Innertkirchen, then continue to Meiringen.
Parking or booking: Town parking is easier than hunting for a roadside space.
Susten Pass
Leave a generous morning for the climb and several authorised viewpoint stops.
Route advice: Return to Innertkirchen, then the Susten road via Gadmen.
Parking or booking: Check summit conditions before leaving the valley.
Andermatt — finish
Return with time for a meal or an extra night before a long onward journey.
Route advice: Descend to Wassen; use the valley road south through Göschenen to Andermatt.
Parking or booking: A motorway shortcut can introduce Swiss vignette requirements; check your chosen access route.
Three Alpine passes in one coherent loop
Take time between the main stops: Andermatt → Furka Pass → Gletsch → Grimsel Pass → Meiringen → Susten Pass → Andermatt — finish.
Useful overnight bases
Gletsch, Switzerland
Gletsch
Gletsch, Switzerland
Compare stays in Gletsch →Meiringen, Switzerland
Meiringen, Switzerland
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Before you go
Practical information
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For a different trip, compare Bernina Express to Lake Como: The Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary. Another option is Austria Road Trip: Ultimate 7-Day Alps and Lakes Route. Browse more Switzerland guides before choosing your next journey.
Parking
Use town or hotel parking. Specific stop advice appears below.
Tickets and booking
Book accommodation with confirmed parking, then any timed attraction visits. For car hire, confirm the permitted road use, excess and return location. Include fuel or charging, parking, attraction tickets and any ferry, road charge or one-way return fee in the budget. Current prices are not fixed by this guide.
Seasonal considerations
Plan for the main summer pass season, often late June to September, and verify every pass on the day. Snow can close roads outside winter too.
Toilets and refreshments
Use Gletsch, Meiringen for meals, shopping and overnight facilities. Carry water and a snack for the scenic sections; do not assume a viewpoint has toilets, a café or phone signal.
Terrain
Public-road sightseeing with optional walking at stops. Andermatt–Hospental–Realp on the Furka road; Gletsch–Grimsel–Guttannen–Innertkirchen; short Meiringen excursion; back to Innertkirchen and over Susten via Gadmen to Wassen; south via Göschenen to Andermatt.
Accessibility
Driving access does not mean step-free sightseeing. Town centres can have slopes and cobbles; beaches, ruins and viewpoints can involve uneven ground or steps. Ask each attraction and accommodation about the exact facilities you need before booking. Longer walks are optional.
Dogs
Check each accommodation, attraction and transport provider before bringing a dog. Beach and site restrictions can be seasonal. Keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife. This is not a verified pet-friendly itinerary.
Public transport
This itinerary is designed for a car. Public transport may serve individual towns, but it does not automatically connect these viewpoints in the same order. Check a separate bus, rail or guided-tour plan if travelling without a car.
Road conditions, tolls or permits
At Gletsch turn onto Grimsel rather than continuing down the Rhône valley. At Innertkirchen choose Susten, not Brünig. Do not drive around a closure barrier. Andermatt–Hospental–Realp on the Furka road; Gletsch–Grimsel–Guttannen–Innertkirchen; short Meiringen excursion; back to Innertkirchen and over Susten via Gadmen to Wassen; south via Göschenen to Andermatt. Check current road notices, local access zones and any charge on your exact approach; no universal toll-free claim is made.
Safety
Follow road signs, weather warnings and current access restrictions. Pull fully into authorised parking before taking photographs. The KML is a planning resource, not turn-by-turn navigation.
Important cautions
At Gletsch turn onto Grimsel rather than continuing down the Rhône valley. At Innertkirchen choose Susten, not Brünig. Do not drive around a closure barrier.
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Useful answers
Swiss Three Passes Road Trip: Furka, Grimsel and Susten FAQs
How long should I allow?
Allow 3 days and 2 nights for this version. Day 1 Andermatt and Furka, sleep Gletsch; day 2 Grimsel and Meiringen; day 3 Susten and return to Andermatt.
Which roads should I put into navigation?
Andermatt–Hospental–Realp on the Furka road; Gletsch–Grimsel–Guttannen–Innertkirchen; short Meiringen excursion; back to Innertkirchen and over Susten via Gadmen to Wassen; south via Göschenen to Andermatt.
What is the main route-planning mistake to avoid?
At Gletsch turn onto Grimsel rather than continuing down the Rhône valley. At Innertkirchen choose Susten, not Brünig. Do not drive around a closure barrier.
When is the best time to go?
Plan for the main summer pass season, often late June to September, and verify every pass on the day. Snow can close roads outside winter too.
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