Maloja Pass is a curvy road in the Swiss Alps
Switzerland, europe
23.8 km
1,819 m
hard
Year-round
# Maloja Pass: Switzerland's Thrilling Alpine Roller Coaster
Tucked away in the southeastern Swiss Alps near the Italian border, Maloja Pass sits pretty at 1,819m (5,967ft) elevation in Graubünden. This route has serious historical chops—the Romans were cruising over here, though honestly, once those fancy San Bernardino and Gotthard tunnels opened in the late 20th century, Maloja became more of a scenic detour than a major transit corridor.
The fully paved Route 3 stretches 23.8 km (14.78 miles) from Silvaplana to Bregaglia, and let me tell you—it's *curvy*. We're talking hairpin after hairpin with grades hitting up to 11%. The ascent from Casaccia alone covers 5.13 km with 357 meters of elevation gain, averaging 7% gradient. This isn't a road for white-knuckle drivers or anyone prone to car sickness. You'll need serious concentration, especially if a truck's barreling toward you around one of those tight bends.
Winter driving? The pass stays open year-round in theory, but snow closures happen fast, and winter tires are absolutely mandatory during the cold months. Chains wouldn't hurt either.
The payoff? You'll cruise past the stunning lakes Sils and Silvaplana with views that'll make you forget about your white knuckles. The whole drive takes about 30 minutes. St. Moritz is right nearby if you want to pair this with some alpine luxury. Just buckle up and embrace the thrill.
Where is it?
Maloja Pass is a curvy road in the Swiss Alps is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9097, 8.2394
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,819 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.9097, 8.2394
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