Klausen Pass

The Klausen crosses at 1,948 metres between the Reuss valley and the Linth, a narrower and less trafficked route than its neighbours, climbing past the Urnerboden - a high pasture basin that is the largest alp in Switzerland by grazed area, belonging to Uri though it lies on the Glarus side of the watershed, an anomaly settled by old agreements. Between 1922 and 1934 the road hosted the Klausenrennen, a hill climb of over twenty-one kilometres that drew the leading drivers of the era and was one of the great European races of the period; it is now revived every few years as a historic event with period cars. The road remains narrow with tight corners and passing places.

History

By 1196 the cattle track over the pass was controlled by a customs office at Bürglen, and legend says the border between Uri and Glarus was fixed in 1315 by two runners who set off at cockcrow. A travellers' hospital was built at Urnerboden in 1590 and a chapel at the summit in 1717, and the road across the pass was built from 1893 to 1899 (Wikipedia, Klausen Pass).

What to look for

• The Urnerboden - the largest grazed alp in Switzerland, on the wrong side of the ridge.
• The Klausenrennen route - the 21-kilometre hill climb raced 1922-34.
• A narrow pass at 1,948 metres - tighter and quieter than its neighbours.
• A historic revival - period cars running the course every few years.

When to go

Late May to October. Half a day.

Practical notes

Closed in winter. The road is genuinely narrow with blind corners - not for large vehicles or nervous drivers. Facilities are sparse. The historic race runs only occasionally; check the year.

Nearby

Altdorf and Lake Uri are west; Braunwald and Klontalersee are east.

Key facts