Super AlpineSuper Alpine
Swiss Passes - Switzerland's mountain pass roads

Furka Pass

Uri/Valais

The most famous of Swiss passes thanks to its role in the film ‘Goldfinger’.

History

The route of today's Furka pass was originally covered by the Rhône glacier - it wasn't until the Roman era that it was used for trade. In the 18th century, the pass was further developed as part of the Swiss National Redoubt, a defensive plan to prevent invasion.

Notes

From Realp a series of hairpins ascend to a plateau - these first corners are the location for the scene in Goldfinger where Tilly Masterson tries to shoot Auric Goldfinger. A commemorative sign was added in 2020 marking the life of Sean Connery. Hidden on the Furka are a series of military installations designed to defend against invasion in the 1880s and later the Nazi threat. A stable with colourful doors and windows is Fort Fuchsegg, a machine-gun bunker. Near the summit are three buildings of the former military camp Furkablik, built-in 1917, they are today a centre of scientific research and education. On the descent to Gletsch is the iconic Belvédère hotel. Overlooking the Belvédère is Fort Galenhütten, a gun emplacement that looks like a rocky outcrop.

Statistics

Summit coordinates 46°34’21.0”N, 8°24’54.0”E
Summit Altitude 2436 metres
Distance 22 kilometres
Start Realp 1538 metres
End Gletsch 1757 metres
Opens June to mid-October

Further reading

The Belvédère hotel at sunrise
Belvédère hotel on the Furka pass at sunrise
The view towards Andermatt
The view towards Andermatt

Map