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 |
