Where is Nufenen Pass?
Switzerland, europe
37 km
2,485 m
moderate
Year-round
Nufenen Pass, or Passo della Novena as the Italians call it, is a real showstopper! Perched way up in the Swiss Alps, right on the border between Valais and Ticino cantons, this road tops out at a whopping 2,485m (8,152ft). Opened back in 1969 for a dam project, it's now one of the highest paved roads in Switzerland.
This beauty stretches for 37km (22 miles), connecting Ulrichen to Airolo. Expect a winding, paved road with some serious hairpin turns and a maximum gradient of 13% in places. This climb is no joke! Fabian Cancellara calls it the toughest in the country. Keep in mind, it's closed to heavy vehicles and usually shut down from October to June thanks to the snow.
Is it worth the trip? Absolutely! Give yourself around 45 minutes to drive it straight through, but you'll want to stop! Weekends and holidays can get busy. The views of the Bernese Alps and Gries Glacier are breathtaking. Plus, there's a hotel and restaurant at the summit for a well-deserved break.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 37 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,485 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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