8 mountain passes in the Swiss Alps open all year round
Cycling when the days get shorter and colder becomes a bigger challenge but it also brings a new scenery with leaves falling from the trees and the first snow blankets covering the Swiss alps. Some road bikes are moved to the cellar and most of the Mountain Passes close their access. But some remain open for the bravest cyclist who refuse to put their bikes away for the winter.
We've created a list of cycling mountain passes in Switzerland that are open all year round. Some might get closed temporarily or get covered with a layer of snow after heavy snows. Make sure you look at the weather forecast, webcams and the road office website to avoid bad surprises, especially on the highest passes.
Maloja Pass
Malojapass is a mountain pass in the Swiss Alps that is open all year round for cyclists. The pass is located in the canton of Graubünden and connects Engadine with the Val Bregaglia. It is one of the most popular cycling routes in Switzerland and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The pass can be reached by taking the Rhaetian Railway from Chur to Thusis and then following the signs for Malojapass. Once at the top of the pass, cyclists can enjoy views of the Piz Bernina, Piz Palü and Piz Morteratsch glaciers.
Forclaz-Pass (Col de la Forclaz)
The Forclaz Pass is a mountain pass in the Swiss canton of Valais. It is located on the Great St. Bernard Highway, between Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Pierre. The pass is open all year round for cycling, and offers breathtaking views of the Alps.
Brünig Pass
The Brünig Pass is a mountain pass in the canton of Obwalden in central Switzerland. It connects the town of Meiringen with the village of Innertkirchen in the Bernese Oberland. The pass road is open all year round and is popular with both cyclists and motorists.
The Brünigpass has an elevation of 1,012 metres (3,316 feet). It offers stunning views of the mountains and valleys below. The road is narrow and winding, but it is well-maintained and does not pose any problems for cyclists.
There are several hotels and restaurants located along the road, as well as a few camping sites. This makes it easy to find somewhere to stay if you are planning to cycle over the Brünigpass.
If you are looking for a challenge, there are also several mountain biking trails that lead off from the pass road. These trails can be quite challenging, so make sure you are prepared before you attempt them.
Julier Pass
The Julier Pass is a mountain pass in the Swiss Alps that connects the Engadin valley with the Val Bregaglia. It is one of the highest paved roads in Europe, reaching an elevation 2,408 meter).
The Julier Pass is a popular destination for cyclists and has been used in several major cycling races, including the Tour de Suisse and the Giro d'Italia. The scenery along the route is stunning, with alpine meadows, glaciers, and views of some of Switzerland's highest peaks.
Bernina Pass
The Berninapass is one of the most popular mountain passes in Switzerland. It is located in the canton of Graubünden, between St. Moritz and Davos. The pass is open all year round for cyclists, and it offers stunning views of the Swiss Alps.
The Berninapass is an excellent spot for a day of cycling. There are several routes that lead up to the pass, and all of them offer breathtaking views.
Ofen Pass
The Ofen Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps. It connects the canton of Uri with the canton of Graubünden. The road is only open to motorized vehicles from June to October. Outside of these months, the road is only open to cyclists and pedestrians.
The Ofenpass is one of the most popular cycling routes in Switzerland. It's a challenging climb, but the views from the top are well worth the effort. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Italy and Austria from the summit.
If you're planning on cycling the Ofenpass, make sure to bring plenty of food and water with you. There are no services available along the route. However, there are several hotels and campsites at both ends of the pass if you need somewhere to stay overnight.
Simplon Pass
The Simplon Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting Brig, Valais with Domodossola, Piedmont in Italy. It is the third highest paved international road passing in Switzerland after the Gotthard and San Bernardino Pass. The Simplonpass straddles the border between Switzerland and Italy and has been used as a route between the two countries since ancient times. The pass itself is located within the municipality of Gondo in the canton of Valais.
Today, the Simplonpass is popular with cyclists looking to take on a challenge. The climb is not for the faint-hearted – it rises 1,500m over 20km – but those who make it to the top are rewarded with stunning views of the Alps. The pass is open all year round, though cyclists should be aware that weather conditions can change quickly in this part of the world and snowfall is common even in summer months.
Ibergereggpass
The Ibergeregg Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation 1,406 metres in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. The pass connects the town of Schwyz and village of Oberiberg, with onward links to Einsiedeln and the Sihlsee. The most challenging side is the one starting from Schwyz, but is also the most beautiful one. At the top there are a couple of restaurants to enjoy a rewarding meal or coffee.
Cycling in Winter
All of the passes above are open all year round, though cyclists should be aware that weather conditions can change quickly in the Alps and snowfall is common (it can happen even in summer months). Chose your gear properly, especially for the downhill, and check the weather forecast before hitting the road.
