The Furka Pass is the most iconic pass in Switzerland. James Bond has driven these curvaceous hairpins that today provide classic Instagram moments. Here’s what you need to know about driving the Furka Pass.
The Furka Pass is the most epic pass in Switzerland. It gained fame when James Bond drove his Aston Martin DB5 up its twisting hairpins in the movie ‘Goldfinger’.
Today, the dramatic landscape remains almost entirely untouched. Snow-capped peaks rise above green forested valleys and glaciers lurk behind rocky walls.
At 2,429 metres in altitude, the Furka Pass is not the highest in Switzerland, but the epic views, sweeping hairpins, and iconic sights make it well worth a visit.
You can include it on a day-long drive over Switzerland’s ‘Big Three’ passes, an exhilarating drive through changing mountain scenery.
Here’s what you need to know about driving the Furka Pass.
WHERE IS THE FURKA PASS?
The Furka Pass is in southern Switzerland. It is 14 miles long (22.5 kilometres) and runs between the towns of Realp in the canton of Uri and Gletsch in the canton of Valais.
You can find a map of the pass below. We have marked the most interesting things to do on the drive.
How to use our maps // Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
WHEN IS THE FURKA PASS OPEN?
The Furka Pass is open from late May to early November, but exact times change each year depending on the conditions. The pass has been known to open as early as 7 May and as late as 20 June.
It closes again when the snow arrives in autumn which generally occurs in the last week of October to the second week in November. Before you travel, check the Furka Pass opening dates.
IS IT EASY TO DRIVE THE FURKA PASS?
The Furka Pass is completely paved, in good condition, quite wide, and easy to drive. There are three sets of hairpins.
- around the Goldfinger Viewpoint just above Realp.
- around the Belvedere Hotel.
- just above the village of Gletsch.
The hairpins are tight, but not difficult in good light. However, in rain and dark conditions, take your time and keep an eye out for the long and wide Postbus coming in the opposite direction.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
If you were simply to drive the Furka Pass without stopping it would take just under an hour. But you’ll want to spend two to three hours exploring and taking in the sights.
WHAT VEHICLES CAN DRIVE THE FURKA PASS?
Trailers or caravans are not allowed on the pass and there is a weight limit of 18 tonnes. If you have an Aston Martin DB5, that would be a great car to take.
WHAT TO SEE ON THE FURKA PASS?
1. JAMES BOND VIEWPOINT
Leaving the village of Realp the Furka Pass climbs up a series of hairpins. Halfway up the climb, you reach the Goldfinger Viewpoint.
This is the point where Bond gets out of his car and watches Goldfinger and Oddjob as Tilly Masterson shoots from above. Stop and take in the wonderful views of the hairpins and Realp below.
To get in the driving mood, here is the scene from Goldfinger filmed on the Furka Pass.
2. FURKA PASS SUMMIT
The Furka Pass reaches its summit at 2,429 metres. There is a large car park from where grand views stretch in both directions.
From here snow-capped peaks rise above green forests as the road cuts through the mountain landscape.
Look carefully from the summit and you can see a train track in the valley below. Get lucky and you’ll see the Furka Cogwheel steam train as it makes the journey between Realp and Oberwald. It runs twice a day in either direction from the end of June to end of September.
Rhône Glacier Hike – If you want to get out and explore, there is an easy, 2.3-kilometre walk (one way) to views over the Rhône Glacier. The hike is very flat and follows a track that skirts above the road (marked on the map above). It ends on a rocky promontory with views over the glacier. Allow just over 1 hour for the return walk.
3. HOTEL BELVÉDÈRE
The Hotel Belvédère is one of the most iconic photo opportunities in Switzerland. Perched inside a hairpin on the pass, the road curves around the now dilapidated hotel.
Built in the Belle Époque era, the curves of the road contrast beautifully with the straight lines of the hotel’s stone façade and triangular mansard roof.
The entire scene is backed by green slopes and towering mountains topped in snow and ice.
The image of the hotel was used for the front cover of the book ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ and today it is rightly an Instagram favourite.
4. RHÔNE GLACIER
The Rhône Glacier is opposite the Belvedere Hotel, behind the Gletscher-Stübli restaurant.
Each spring, a 100-meter tunnel is carved into the ice creating an ice grotto. The tunnel is a glimmering blue from the light that refracts through the thick walls.
The entrance to the ice grotto is along a short path behind the restaurant.
The best time to visit is June and July just after the pass has opened. By October almost half of the ice tunnel has melted.
You’ll need shoes with good grip because it can get slippery and something warm to wear. Allow about 30 minutes to visit. Check the Ice Grotto prices and times.
Warm up with a coffee at the Gletscher-Stübli restaurant after the hike.
5. GLETSCH & THE GRIMSEL PASS
The Furka Pass descends to the village of Gletsch, a small hamlet dominated by the Grand Hotel Glacier du Rhône. The hotel was built at the end of the Rhône Glacier, so you can see how far the ice has retreated over the last two hundred years.
Another of the ‘Big Three’ passes in Switzerland, the Grimsel Pass runs from Gletsch to Meiringen through a wild rock-strewn landscape split by waterfalls and sparkling lakes.
The pass is 24 miles (38.5 kilometres). At Handegg, the world’s steepest funicular ascends to picturesque Gelmer Lake.
It’s well worth driving up the first section of the Grimsel Pass and grabbing a coffee at Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe sitting beside the waters of Totensee.
6. THE BIG THREE PASSES
The ‘Big Three’ passes in Switzerland are the Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass and Susten Pass. A sensational day out is to complete a loop of all three.
- Meiringen to Andermatt via Susten Pass.
- Adermatt to Gletsch via Furka Pass.
- Gletsch to Meriringen via Grimsel Pass.
The total distance is just over 80 miles (131 kilometres) and involves a total ascent and descent of about 3,800 metres.
You can drive the whole loop in about 3 hours, but you are going to want a few more hours to stop for photos and grab lunch in one of the many excellent huts on the route.
WHERE TO STAY
Sadly, the Hotel Belvedere is no longer open, but there are still a few great places to stay near or on the Furka Pass.
Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe – Halfway up the Grimsel Pass, this hotel has a stunning location on the edge of Totensee Lake. There are hikes from the front door and water activities on the lake.
Hotel Ronquelle – This friendly little hotel is just south of Gletsch and between the Furka & Grimsel Passes. Right on the main road, it’s a popular stop for bikers and there is a bus stop outside.
Grand Hotel Glacier Du Rhône – This grand dame of Gletsch has been serving visitors for 169 years. However, when we visited in 2023 it was undergoing renovation. Keep an eye out for when it reopens.
Hotel Tiefenbach – The only place still open on the high section of the Furka Pass, this friendly and remote hotel has hiking and climbing routes leaving from the front door.
MORE SWITZERLAND GUIDES
ANYWHERE WE ROAM IS
READER-SUPPORTED
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Thanks for your support.
You can also buy us a coffee, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
– Paul & Mark.
Discover more from reviewer4you.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
