The Great Alpine Passes

7 days · 7 driving roads · 136 miles of them · best Late June–September

The week most drivers have on the list. Stelvio's forty-eight numbered hairpins, the Gavia's narrow shelf, Umbrail across to Switzerland, then the Bernina beside the glacier and the Furka–Grimsel–Susten triangle — three passes in a day, and the best-engineered tarmac in Europe.

Getting there

⛴ Eurotunnel Le Shuttle — Eurotunnel, about 36 min, up to 4/hour. Check sailings.

Worth knowing: Everything here is shut by snow outside high summer — check pass status before committing, some don't open until late June. Switzerland needs a motorway vignette. Start early: the passes fill with coaches and cyclists by mid-morning.

The roads, in order

1. Stelvio Pass SS38 · Prato allo Stelvio → Bormio · 15 mi · 1 h ⚠ Closed roughly Oct–May (snow); very busy with cyclists in summer ⛽ Prato allo Stelvio Tamoil · ☕ Tibet Hut · 📷 Stelvio Pass summit
2. Passo di Gavia SP29 · Bormio → Ponte di Legno · 16 mi · 1 h ⚠ ⚠ Closed Oct–Jun; narrow single-track sections with big drops ⛽ Bormio Eni station · 🍽️ Rifugio Bonetta · 📷 Lago Nero lay-by
3. Umbrail Pass Route 66 · Santa Maria Val Müstair → Stelvio road junction · 9 mi · 30 min ⚠ Closed roughly Nov–May (snow)
4. Bernina Pass Route 29 · Pontresina → Tirano (Italy) · 35 mi · 1 h 15 min ⚠ Open year-round; spectacular but slow in snow
5. Furka Pass Route 19 · Realp → Gletsch · 13 mi · 40 min ⚠ Closed roughly Oct–May (snow)
6. Grimsel Pass Route 6 · Innertkirchen → Gletsch · 20 mi · 50 min ⚠ Closed roughly Oct–May (snow)
7. Susten Pass Route 11 · Innertkirchen → Wassen · 28 mi · 1 h ⚠ Closed roughly Oct–Jun (snow)

Drive it

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