Is the road to Jaun Pass paved?

Is the road to Jaun Pass paved?

Switzerland, europe

Length

18.3 km

Elevation

1,512 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Swiss Alps on the Jaun Pass, also known as Jaunpassstrasse or Col de Bellegarde. This baby’s paved, so no need for a monster truck! Winding between Im Fang (Fribourg) and Reidenbach (Bern), this 18.3 km stretch of road was built way back in 1878 and the views are seriously epic.

But hold on tight, it’s not all smooth sailing. You’ll be tackling 11 hairpin turns, navigating tunnels, and squeezing through some narrow bits. Plus, there are some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 10.5%!

From Im Fang, you'll climb 565 meters over 10 km, averaging a 5.7% gradient. If you're coming from Reidenbach, get ready for an even steeper climb: 664 meters over 8 km, with an average gradient of 8.3%. At the top, you'll be sitting pretty at 1,512m (4,960ft) above sea level. Get your camera ready—this drive is a total knockout!

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Road Details

Country
Switzerland
Continent
europe
Length
18.3 km
Max Elevation
1,512 m
Difficulty
hard

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