Road · Switzerland
Furka Pass from Gletsch
A mountainous 11 km road cycling route from Gletsch, with 666 m of climbing over Furkastock.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 10.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 666 m
- Riding time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Gletsch
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 666 m
- 11 km
Route description
- Gletsch
- Furkastock
The route begins at Gletsch (1763 m) and climbs continuously for 10.4 km on a paved main road (number 19) to a high point at 2429 m at Furka Pass. The total elevation gain is 666 m with an average gradient of 6.4% and sections up to 10.4%. Nearly all the route is ascending, with 8.9 km over 5% gradient and 1.7 km over 8%, including 0.5 km over 10%. The climb is mostly on main roads without a cycle lane and mostly on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
The road passes near peaks such as Uf de Bidmer at 2.4 km, Blauberg near 10.4 km, and Furkastock at the top at 10.5 km. There is a cafe, Truck Lounge Goms, just 14 m off route near the start at 0.2 km, and another cafe, Snack-Buvette Belvédère, near 7.8 km. Water taps and toilets are available near the start and at the top. Shops and bailout points are available at Gletsch and near Muttbach-Belvédère station at 9.8 km, though the latter lies 661 m off route. A 7.6 km stretch between 0.2 and 7.8 km has no cafe, shop or water.
The surface is fully paved and the entire route is on main road 19. The climb profiles mostly upward with no flat sections, with 46% of elevation gain in the first half of the route. The Gletsch station allows for bailout or arrival by train.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Furkastock (10.4 km at 6.4 %).
- Tops out at 2,429 m, 10.5 km in.
Highlights
- Furka Pass summit at 2429 m
- Climb starts at Gletsch station
- Peaks Uf de Bidmer and Blauberg nearby
- Paved main road 19 throughout
Along the route
On the road
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furkastock | 0.1 km | 10.4 km · 664 m · 6.4 % · max 10.4 % | 10.4 km · 664 m · 6.4 % | 2429 m |
Furkastock · full ascent, starts at 0.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Know before you go
- 7.6 km without café, shop or water between 0.2 and 7.8 km
- 10.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 9.3 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- Maximum gradient 10.4% over 0.5 km
