SUPER ALPINE
Nufenen Pass
Nufenen pass
Valais/Ticino

Nufenen Pass

The Nufenen pass is the second-highest mountain pass in Switzerland.


History

The pass was one of the last to be developed mountain roads and opened to motor vehicles in September 1969.

Notes

As well as a pass road to get from one canton to another, the Nufenen serves the purpose of transporting power. Pylons cover the landscape which for much of the pass, is open and devoid of trees, useful for electricity cables. The Gries Dam was constructed to capture meltwaters from snow and the Gries Glacier and is the source of the hydroelectricity. A wind farm is also operational in the same area, but as the highest in Europe, has suffered from weather and location-related issues. The 2478 metres of altitude and remote location of the Nufenen pass means winter avalanches are not uncommon and the road is frequently surrounded by snow walls.

Nufenen Pass
Porsches on the Nufenen pass
Map
Statistics
Location 46°28’41.0”N, 8°23’35.0”E
Altitude 2478 metres
Distance 38 Kilometres
Start Airolo 1175 metres
End Ulchiren 1346 metres
Opens June to mid-October

Swiss Passes