An iconic road to Simplon Pass in the Swiss Alps
Switzerland, europe
42.2 km
150 m
moderate
Year-round
# Simplon Pass: A Swiss Alpine Classic
Simplon Pass sits pretty at 2,005m (6,578ft) elevation in Switzerland's Valais canton, nestled between the Pennine and Lepontine Alps near the Italian border. It's one of those legendary Alpine routes that every road-tripper should experience at least once.
The fully paved Route 9 (part of European Route 62) stretches 42.2 km from Brig down to the Italian border, and honestly, it's got some serious history behind it. Way back, this pass was the domain of smugglers and mercenaries, but things got official when Napoleon decided he needed a proper road to move his cannons into Italy. Construction kicked off in 1800 and wrapped up five years later—pretty impressive for the era. Fast-forward to the 1970s and 80s, and they added protective galleries and bridges to make it even safer.
The drive itself is a masterpiece of mountain engineering. Yeah, you'll hit some steep sections (up to 10.7% gradient), but the road was built to follow the mountain's natural contours rather than bulldoze straight up it. That means gorgeous curves that reward you with stunning views—frozen peaks on the Swiss side, lush valleys with trees on the Italian side. In summer, cafés and restaurants dot the route, perfect for pit stops.
You can usually access this pass year-round, though winter weather sometimes forces temporary closures. Traffic's lighter than you'd expect, and the road's wide enough to keep things comfortable. Don't miss the Ganter Bridge, which arcs 150 meters above the valley floor, or the Simplon Hospice, a 19th-century heritage site worth exploring.
Pro tip: keep your camera fully charged—the views here are absolutely worth documenting.
Where is it?
An iconic road to Simplon Pass in the Swiss Alps is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.7595, 8.0554
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 42.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 150 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.7595, 8.0554
Related Roads in europe
extremeWhere is Schlüsseljoch located?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: You're in northern Italy, practically breathing Austrian air, ready to tackle the Schlüsseljoch – a seriously epic mountain pass. Perched way up high, you're smack-dab in the heart of the Alps. This route links the Pfitscher Valley to the Eisack Valley, and it's been a strategic spot forever. We're talking a historic military track, now a proper off-road adventure! Forget smooth pavement; it's all about a super narrow, beat-up path, crazy steep climbs, and hairpin turns that'll make your head spin. A high-clearance 4x4 is a must. The whole thing stretches for about 15km. You kick things off near Burgum and wrap up near Brennerbad. Don't let the distance fool you, though; this isn't a quick jaunt. The elevation change and gnarly terrain mean you're in for a slow, intense ride. Heads up: South Tyrol is getting strict about who can drive on these mountain tracks. Many routes are restricted or totally off-limits to regular vehicles. So, before you even THINK about hopping in your car, check the local rules around Sterzing/Vipiteno. If driving's a no-go, this pass becomes a legendary challenge for mountain bikers and hikers! And one more thing: Winter? Forget about it. From late October to June, this place is buried under snow. The road isn't maintained, so it's totally impassable for vehicles until the snow melts.
hardWhere is the D5 road?
🇫🇷 France
D5 is a very challenging mountain road, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It climbs up many mountain passes and tops out at 1,439 m (4,721 ft) above sea level. Where is the D5 road? The road is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the southeastern part of the country, near the Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes d'Azur The road is fully paved yet narrow in parts, with a few hairpins. It is virtually a single track and pretty bumpy. It’s one of the in this area, which features many small to medium-sized passes. Apart from the scenic beauty of this area, the road is also characterized by How steep is D5 road? The road has steep parts, with a maximum gradient of , providing a rewarding drive for enthusiasts of mountain passes. It climbs up to (a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,439 m-4,721 ft above sea level), (a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,248 m-4,094 ft above sea level), and (a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,047 m-3,435 ft above sea level). The road is 50.2 km (31.19 miles) long, running north-south from Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne How to get to Puy de la Perdrix in the Massif Central? How to drive the scenic D656, a balcony road in the Provence? Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardA drivable track to the summit of Col del Sommeiller
🇫🇷 France
# Col del Sommeiller Want to tackle one of Europe's most epic high-altitude drives? Meet Col del Sommeiller, sitting pretty at 2,993m (9,819ft) on the French-Italian border in the Alpi Cozie. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's a serious alpine adventure. The journey starts in Bardonecchia, Italy, and climbs 26 kilometers of pure mountain magic. You're rewarded with hairpin after hairpin, stunning alpine dams, and a jaw-dropping turquoise lake waiting for you at the summit. The whole thing gains 1,711 meters with an average grade of 6.5% (though it can hit a gnarly 19% in places). Fair warning: the views are genuinely spectacular, but the road demands respect. Here's the deal with the drive: Only the first 6km is paved—and not even well-paved. The remaining 20km is rocky, unforgiving terrain that'll test your driving skills. You'll want a 4x4 for this one, no question. The surface stays mostly drivable until you hit the final stretch near the summit, where things get pretty gnarly and disconnected. The pass carries some serious history too. It's named after Germain Sommellier, the engineer behind the legendary Fréjus railway tunnel that opened in 1871—and yep, you start your climb right where that tunnel begins. A heads-up: this road is brutally seasonal. Expect it to be completely closed from late October through late June, with snow clearing not happening until late July. Even when it's open, Bardonecchia restricts traffic on Thursdays from July through September to protect the road. This is pure, unfiltered mountain driving. Bring your A-game and a solid vehicle.
hardRoad R319 Travels by Hairpins to the Edge of the Sea
🌍 Ireland
Okay, picture this: You're on Achill Island, just off the coast of County Mayo in Ireland, ready for one of the world's best coastal drives! This is the R319, a total gem winding along the wild Atlantic shore. This road clocks in at about 35 km, and get ready for some serious views! We're talking dramatic cliffs and the vast expanse of the ocean. The road's paved, but keep your eyes peeled – it can get busy with other drivers, walkers, and the occasional wandering sheep. Expect some narrow sections and a few bridges to keep things interesting. It gets progressively tighter and twistier as you head towards the western edge of the island, eventually ending at a big parking area in Toorglass West. Basically, you'll be cruising from Mallaranny – that cute seaside village connecting Clew Bay and Blacksod Bay – all the way west. Trust me, this drive is pure magic!