Susten Pass

The Susten is the youngest of the central Swiss passes as a road: built between 1938 and 1945 and opened in 1946, it was designed from the start for cars rather than adapted from a mule track, which shows in the engineering - wide, evenly graded, with long sweeping curves, galleries and tunnels rather than the tight hairpins of older routes. It crosses at 2,224 metres. The Stein glacier is visible from a viewpoint near the summit, and its retreat since the road was built is documented in comparison photographs. Because it was built for driving it has become a favourite of drivers and motorcyclists, and it links with the Grimsel and Furka to make a well-known circuit.

What you'll find

• A road built for cars - designed 1938-45, not adapted from a mule path.
• Sweeping curves and galleries - the engineering of a modern pass.
• The Stein glacier - visible near the summit, much reduced since 1946.
• Part of a three-pass circuit - with the Grimsel and Furka.

When to go

Mid-June to October. Half a day.

Practical notes

Closed by snow for roughly half the year. Motorcycle traffic is heavy and fast on summer weekends. Facilities on the pass are limited to a couple of restaurants. Weather changes quickly at the top.

Nearby

The Trift bridge is off the western approach; the Grimsel is south-west.

Key facts