An iconic road to Glaubenberg Pass in the Swiss Alps
Switzerland, europe
30.4 km
1,543 m
moderate
Year-round
Glaubenberg Pass is a scenic mountain crossing sitting at 1,543m (5,062ft) in central Switzerland, straddling the boundary between Lucerne and Obwalden cantons. You'll find a convenient parking lot and a cozy bar restaurant right at the summit—perfect for catching your breath after the climb.
This pass has serious historical roots dating back to Medieval times, though the road as we know it was built during the late 1800s. Between 1906 and 1920, prisoners actually helped widen and improve the route, adding an interesting layer to its story.
The 30.4 km (18.88 miles) stretch connects Entlebuch in Lucerne with Sarnen, the charming capital of Obwalden canton on the shores of Lake Sarnen. The entire road is fully paved, and it's actually challenging enough to have been featured in the Tour de Suisse race. With a maximum gradient of 11%, it's a legitimate workout for cyclists and drivers alike—though honestly, the real "hazard" here is the surprisingly fearless local cows!
Just keep in mind that winter closures apply, typically from November/December through April/May depending on conditions. The Sarnen side stays open year-round up to Restaurant Langis, but everything beyond that gets shut down when the snow flies. So time your visit accordingly and you're in for a genuinely rewarding alpine experience.
Where is it?
An iconic road to Glaubenberg Pass in the Swiss Alps is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 47.1374, 8.1901
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,543 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 47.1374, 8.1901
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