A sensational paved road to Gurnigel Pass in the Swiss Alps

A sensational paved road to Gurnigel Pass in the Swiss Alps

Switzerland, europe

Length

33.9 km

Elevation

1,608 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Gurnigel Pass is a stunning high mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,608m (5,276ft) elevation in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.

Nestled in the gorgeous Gantrisch Region in western Switzerland, this pass is a real gem. At the top, you'll find a Nordic skiing centre that's hosted some seriously impressive World Cup cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Fair warning though—watch out for those bitumen strips scattered along certain sections of the route. But here's the payoff: look to your right at the summit and you'll be rewarded with absolutely spectacular views of Lake Thun with the majestic Bernese Alps sprawling out behind it.

The road itself, Gurnigelstrasse, is fully paved and winds through some genuinely twisty, tricky terrain. Don't worry though—the road surface is in solid condition overall, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than white-knuckling it the whole way.

This beauty stretches 33.9 km (21.06 miles) long, connecting the charming village of Plaffeien (in Fribourg's Sense district) all the way to Riggisberg (in the Bern-Mittelland district). It's the kind of drive that makes you remember why mountain passes are worth the detour.

Where is it?

A sensational paved road to Gurnigel Pass in the Swiss Alps is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9732, 7.9461

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Road Details

Country
Switzerland
Continent
europe
Length
33.9 km
Max Elevation
1,608 m
Difficulty
easy
Coordinates
46.9732, 7.9461

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