A scenic mountain road to Ofen Pass in Switzerland
Switzerland, europe
31.3 km
2,156 m
moderate
Year-round
# Ofen Pass: A Hidden Alpine Gem in Switzerland's Far East
Tucked away in the remote eastern corner of Switzerland, Ofen Pass sits at a breathtaking 2,156 meters (7,073 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass—also known as Ofenpass, Fuorn Pass, Passo del Forno, or Passo del Fuorn—connects the Engiadina Bassa region with Val Müstair in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
The pass's name tells a fascinating story: it comes from the old iron foundry ovens that once dotted this region. If you're curious about local history, you can actually spot remnants of these structures from hiking trails nearby—a cool piece of industrial heritage!
The 31.3-kilometer (19.44-mile) Route 28 stretches west to east from Zernez to Val Müstair, and the good news is it's completely paved. The road has been connecting these valleys since 1864, when the first route was carved through. Traffic here is surprisingly moderate—you'd think more trucks would use it as a through route, but most heavy vehicles opt for the Reschen Pass instead.
Fair warning: this pass is seriously steep. Prepare yourself for gradients hitting 14.3% on some sections—definitely not a drive you can zone out on. The road stays open year-round in theory, but winter closures happen whenever conditions require it, so always check ahead. One more heads-up: local police love lurking behind houses with radar guns, and Swiss speeding tickets will absolutely hurt your wallet. Stick to the speed limits!
Where is it?
A scenic mountain road to Ofen Pass in Switzerland is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9018, 8.3569
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 31.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,156 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.9018, 8.3569
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