Furkapass, Switzerland
Furkapass, Switzerland
-5°C

Closed for the winter


Updated on: 12.03.2024, 18:46

Technical Data

East12 kmRealp (1538 m.a.s.l.)7.4%6.6%2429 m.a.s.l.Oberwald (1369 m.a.s.l.)West17 km
Cantons
Uri (UR), Wallis (VS)
Distance
29 Km
Vertex
2429 m.a.s.l.
Max. gradient
11 %
Passable
Winter closure (Oct/May)
Restaurant
yes below the top of the pass (Tiefenbach/Belvedere)

Closed time during winter: Opening / Closing Furkapass

Pass/Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
Furkapass
20.06. -
30.10.
25.05. -
09.11.
18.06. -
03.11.
29.05. -
28.10.
17.06. -
04.11.
08.06. -
29.10.
24.05. -
30.10.
04.06. -
07.11.
02.06. -
19.11.
28.05. -
27.10.
13.06. -
04.11.
06.06. -
29.10.
07.05. -
02.12.
27.05. -
25.10.
05.06. -
21.10.
30.05. -
29.10.
10.05. -
08.11.
03.06. -
13.11.
20.05. -
04.12.
28.05. -
29.10.
28.05. -
27.10.
06.06. -
04.11.
01.06. -
07.11.
26.05. -
02.11.
11.06. -
03.11.
21.05. -
23.10.
28.05. -
06.11.
24.06. -
04.11.
20.06. -
02.11.
15.06. -
23.10.
04.06. -
06.10.
05.06. -
21.10.

History

The bronze age artifacts found in the upper Valais and the Anterior Rhine Valley point to cultural interaction between Goms and Raetien. Historical documents from the year 1200 prove that many families from the German speaking part of the Valais moved and settled in the Urseren Valley and fürther east to Raetien.

The crossing over the Furka pass become more and more important around the 14th century, giving the Vailais direct access to the famous alpine traverse Gotthard. The road taxes charged until the 19th century were used partly for the upkeep of the trading route and roads. On 12 November 1779, the minister and privy councillor Johann Wolfgang Goethe crossed the pass with his protegé Carl August, Duke of Weimar and two guides – an unbelievable feat.  

In 1866, newly laid roads attracted thousands of tourists who came to marvel at the unique alpine panorma and the Rhone Glacier. In 1914, 19‘102 people travelled by post coach over the pass. In 1921 the yellow post buses took over from the coaches. The Furka-Oberalp railway between Oberwald and Realp opened in 1926 and bestowed the Furka pass with a new tourist attraction. This was later closed in 1982 when the Furka basis railway tunnel was opened. The enthusiasm and hard work of private steam railway fans has made it possible to experience the nostalgic steam train again today. 

Accommodation and activities

Location

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Signalisation

Standort: Realp

Realp - Oberwald:
- Zulässiges Höchstgewicht 18 t (Realp - Passhöhe)
- Generelles Anhängerverbot (gilt auch für Wohnanhänger!)
- Vom Anhängerverbot sind nur Fahrzeuge des öffentlichen Verkehrs ausgenommen

Passes