Switzerland is well known to be one of the highlights of Europe, mainly thanks to its picturesque landscapes and characteristic villages. However in my mind Switzerland is home to some of the most breathtaking roads in the world, and that’s what this article is all about.

I took into consideration: the conditions of the road surfaces, the amount of traffic crossing these roads as well as the popularity among other driving enthusiasts and the result is the ultimate guide on driving roads in Switzerland!

Practical tips for driving enthusiasts

• Best Time to Visit: The Swiss mountain passes are generally accessible from late May to October, depending on snow conditions. However it is essential to check the current road status before starting your trip, as the passes can close due to weather conditions, rockslides or other unforeseen events.
• Driving Considerations: The roads are steep and sometimes narrow, so it’s important to drive with caution. Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition and be prepared for sudden weather changes. Mountain passes can be challenging for inexperienced drivers, particularly in adverse conditions.

5 Grimselpass 2163m

The starting point of the Grimselpass is Innertkirchen from where you travel through forest like landscapes and meadows with grazing cows. Eventually you reach a series of short tunnels and arrive in Handegg from where the road starts getting steeper. The first hairpins quickly take you above the tree line and soon a massive dam will appear in sight.

The Grimselpass is home to 3 water reservoirs collecting melting water from the Oberaar glacier and the second reservoir called the Grimselsee has a peninsula in the middle on which the Grimsel Hospice is build.

The last stretch from here on to the top of the Grimselpass is spectacular to say at least, you climb the steep walls via hairpins with incredibly satisfying road sections in between. The higher you get the more yaw dropping the view over the road and reservoirs you just drove passed gets, especially if you drive the pass at sunrise the color contrast of the lakes and the surroundings is absolutely mesmerizing. 

In total the drive to the top covers an elevation of over 1500 meters. At the top you will find another lake called the Totensee with some small hotels and restaurants surrounding it. There is a bonus stretch of road called the Panoramastrasse Oberaar, this will take you closer to the Oberaar glacier and the Finsteraarhorn (4274m) but will cost you an entry fee of 10,- CHF. 

4 Berninapass 2328m

Tucked away on the eastern side of the Swiss Alps, this lesser-known pass promises a unique experience. You start this drive from the luxurious village of St. Moritz, (famous for the ICE event also known as the International Concours of Elegance during which classic cars, rally cars and concept cars of all times drive on the frozen St. Moritzersee.)

The driving fun begins after passing the village of Pontresina from where the valley narrows down and the Morteratsch Glacier appears in sight. By now you might have also noticed the train tracks running through the valley alongside the road, this is the Bernina Express which is said to be the most beautiful train ride in the world.

The Bernina pass on average is not a steep road. The whole pass includes only a few hairpins, which means you can maintain your speed and flow from one corner into the next. That’s what makes the Berninapass special to me. 

I strongly advice you to have a stop at Lago Bianco near the highest point of the pass and to enjoy the view over the Bernina mountain range. 

Soon after you will pass the highest point and start the descend which would eventually take you into Italy. The beauty of this downhill section is that you can see the road unfold beneath you and watch it squiggle through the valley, it also offers you a few opportunities to look back on the views you just drove past earlier. You will end this drive in Poschiavo. 

The Berninapass could be driven in both directions and be equally fun, but because this article is about Swiss roads I chose to describe it from the Swiss side. However I do encourage you to turn around in Poschiavo and do it all over again from the Italian side ;).

3 Nufenenpass 2478m

also known as Passo de la Novena. The Nufenenpass is the highest road in all of Switzerland as well as the steepest road on this list peaking at 2478 meters and having a maximal incline of 14.5%

Nufenen has a real big advantage, being that it is generally low in traffic. It’s not as popular as other passes like the Gotthard or Furka, this gives it a sense of isolation that adds to its charm.

It was hard to choose in which direction to drive this road since both sides are great. However my advice is to start from Airolo, since the ascend covers more distance from this side and has only 8 hairpins, while the other side has 14 hairpins and therefore covers height much quicker.

As you climb up the pass, the landscape transitions from lush valleys and alpine meadows to rugged peaks. The route provides stunning views and because of the low amount of traffic you can occasionally spot wildlife like mountain ibexes. The top of the pass has a large parking with a souvenir shop and a restaurant. But most important is the beautiful view over the Bernese Alps, notably the Finsteraarhorn (4274m).

2 Col du Grand Saint-Bernard 2473m

For the Col du Grand Saint-Bernard we move over to the western side of Switzerland close to the Mont Blanc mountain range. The Col du Saint-Bernard links Switzerland with the Aosta Valley in Italy, this has made it an established road for centuries. Luckily in 1964 a tunnel was opened crossing straight through the mountain, meaning most people no longer choose to drive over the pass and traffic on the Col du Grand Saint-bernard is generally very low.

I have to admit that this road especially on the Swiss side does not have the greatest tarmac, but despite that I had to put the Col du Grand Saint-Bernard in second place. The surroundings of this pass are so gorgeous that you probably won’t even think of the road surface at all. The Italian side of the pass is perfectly fine in terms of tarmac and equally if not more enjoyable to drive, so do not miss out on that as well. 

You cross the border to Italy exactly at the top of the the pass, where centuries ago the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard was build by monks. The hospice became famous for its role in rescuing stranded travelers. It's also where the legendary Saint Bernard dogs come from, named after the hospice and now a Swiss national symbol, they were trained to assist in search and rescue missions in the snowy Alps. 

1 Sustenpass 2224m

Finally we reached the Sustenpass, the number one hidden gem of the Swiss Alps. This road ticks off every box one could imagine. It is spectacular to drive from either side, still I would advice to drive it from Wassen during sunrise. Do not forget to stop and have a look over your shoulder before entering the tunnel at the top, I can assure you, you will be amazed by the view over the valley and the road meandering through it.

After passing through the tunnel you arrive at the parking on top of the pass. The Sustenpass is beloved among driving enthusiasts so usually there will be likeminded people having a pitstop. next to the parking are some hotels and restaurants where you can enjoy your morning coffee.

The drive up the other side of the pass starts from Innertkirchen and offers stunning views over the Stein Glacier. This section of the road has a perfect balance between light corners, hairpins and straights. Combine that with tunnels carved out of the rocks for some lovely tunnel sounds, and you even drive underneath a waterfall at one point, It can’t get much better, can it? I would call this the sunset side of the pass since the light hits it perfectly at later times of the day.

The Sustenpass was only opened in 1945 which means it is relatively new compared to the other roads on this list. This is good news because the width and quality of the road surface are up to modern standards and allow even the widest/lowest cars for trouble-free passage.