Open, snow covered. Risk of slippery ice
Guttannen - Gletsch
Updated on: 23.09.2025, 19:56
History
The Grimsel Pass was used as an alpine traverse route way back in Roman times. Its importance as a trading route (Luzern-Milan) is proven by a «Document of Trade» signed 12 August 1397, in which the cantons of Bern and Valais regulated the upkeep of trails and bridges, duties and the running of the Hospiz. Wine, rice, Murano glass etc came northwards and cheese (Sbrinz), leather, iron goods and livestock were brought southwards.
The trading route was an important source of income for the residents of the Haslital and Goms, which came to an abrupt end around the end of the 1800s when the Gotthard Railway was opened.
The Grimsel pass gained international significance at the end of the 1800s when the famous explorers Horace Bénédict de Saussure and Franz Josef Hugi chose the Grimsel as the centre of their alpine research.
The pass road was constructed for horse-drawn wagons in 1894 and they travelled over the pass until 1925 when the KWO Hydroelectric Power Company widened the roads to make construction of their hydro-dams and power plants possible.
The canton of Bern continually extended the pass road between 1950 and construction ended on the Bernese side in 1972. The canton of Valais didnt begin widening the road until 1975. Final construction on both sides ended in 1986.
Closed time during winter: Opening / Closing Grimselpass
| Pass/Year | 2025 | 2024 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grimselpass | 14.06. - 11.11. | 02.06. - 02.11. | 25.05. - 09.11. | 11.06. - 03.11. | 29.05. - 28.10. | 14.06. - 04.11. | 08.06. - 29.10. | 02.06. - 30.10. | 10.06. - 07.11. | 03.06. - 19.11. | 28.05. - 27.10. | 15.06. - 04.11. | 07.06. - 27.10. | 07.05. - 02.12. | 28.05. - 25.10. | 06.06. - 26.10. | 31.05. - 29.10. | 10.05. - 07.11. | 25.05. - 15.11. | 26.05. - 15.11. | 10.06. - 08.11. | 28.05. - 27.10. | 24.05. - 04.11. | 01.06. - 07.11. | 31.05. - 31.10. | 16.06. - 06.11. | 21.05. - 25.10. | 29.05. - 10.11. | 24.05. - 06.11. | 23.06. - 02.11. | 01.06. - 10.11. | 28.05. - 11.11. | 05.06. - 21.10. |
Accommodation and activities
- Historical Alpine Hotel Grimsel Hospiz
Magical at any time of the year - Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe
Pass the time on the Grimsel Pass - Gelmer Funicular
Thrilling ride - Hospiz: Grimsel Undergrund
Experience Hydropower - Hotel and Nature Resort Handeck
A feel-good nature resort - Restaurant und Berghaus Oberaar
Hospitable Natural Spectacle - Sidelhorn Aerial Cable Car
Take a ride in the heart of hydrolectricity - Hotel Grimselblick
Pure nature and a suntan - Esotec
Energy Systems for high alpine buildings - X-Alpin
Extreme places extreme projects - Hotel Bären
The traditional guest house on the Grimselpass - Oberaarbahn
Latest attraction in the Grimselwelt - Hospizbahn
To the foot of the Grimsel dam - Reichenbachfall-Bahn
Where Sherlock Holmes lost his last battle - Aare Gorge
Experience a natural wonder up close - Chalet-Hotel Schwarzwaldalp
Pure pleasure in Rosenlaui - Hotel-Restaurant Rhonequelle
Near the source of the Rhone River - Infopoint Gletsch
- Hotel Restaurant Urweider
Great place to stay for exciting days - Hotel-Restaurant Alpina
Welcome! - Pass Excursions with the Post bus
The big Pass-Adventure - Landgasthof Tännler
family and cozy - Hotel Hof & Post
Something for everyone! - Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet
The Swiss Cycling Alpenbrevet excites the whole region
Technical Data
Location
Signalisation
Grimsel Passhöhe - Gletsch/Brig:
- zulässiges Höchstgewicht 32 t
Passes
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- 3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 21.09.2025, 06:26
Pontresina - San Carlo
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close.
- 7°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 23.08.2025, 08:31
Lungern - Brienzwiler
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close completely.
- 1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 27.08.2025, 08:23
- -0°COpen, snow covered. Risk of slippery iceUpdated on: 23.09.2025, 19:55
- 4°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 30.08.2025, 10:22
La Motta - Country border
Traffic information for the bordering South Tyrol/Passes: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse
- 3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 23.05.2025, 18:05
Sarnen - Entlebuch
On the Obwalden side, the road remains open during the winter as far as Langis.
- 4°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 09.05.2025, 15:52
Giswil - Sörenberg, "Panoramastrasse"
Important note: The Panoramastrasse
On the Obwaldner side open during the winter to Mörlialp
Restrictions for coaches and trucks see section Signalization.
- 2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 07.09.2025, 06:25
Hospental - Airolo
Tremola (Strada turistica) Passhöhe - Airolo: 3.5 t.
- 2°COpen, snow covered. Risk of slippery iceUpdated on: 23.09.2025, 19:56
Guttannen - Gletsch
- 1°COpen, with restrictionsUpdated on: 18.09.2025, 20:30
Bourg-St-Pierre - national border
Important note: The road (N21) between Liddes and Bourg-Saint-Pierre will be closed to all traffic from 11 p.m. on 30 September 2025 until 6 a.m. on 1 October 2025 due to construction work. Alternative date: 1 October/2 October 2025, also between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- 1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 18.05.2025, 14:09
Meiringen - Grindelwald
There is a general driving ban on motorized traffic between Schwarzwaldalp and Grindelwald (Hotel Wetterhorn).
-
- 2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 27.08.2025, 08:23
Bivio - Silvaplana
Winter equipment is mandatory during the winter months. Snow chains are compulsory for a limited period of time depending on the circumstances, as is any closure of the pass.
- 3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 14.09.2025, 20:42
Urigen - Urnerboden
Info for car travel summer 2025:
2.30 m wide, two-axle and 18-ton vehicles do not require a permit, also applies at weekends.
From the opening of the pass in 2025 until its closure in 2025, single-decker, 2.55 m wide, two-axle and max. 18-ton touring cars (trailer ban) may travel on the Klausen Pass from Monday to Friday with a special permit. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Unterschächen to Linthal. Tuesday and Thursday from Linthal to Unterschächen. Timing must be coordinated with Postbus routes.
Permits can be obtained from the Road Traffic Office of the Canton of Uri or the Canton of Glarus.Permits for Linthal – Unterschächen can be obtained at:
Strassenverkehrs- u. Schifffahrtsamt des Kanton Glarus,
Mühleareal17
8762 Schwanden
Tel 055 646 54 00
E-Mail: stva@gl.ch
Permits for Unterschächen - Linthal can be obtained at:
Amt für Strassen- und Schiffsverkehr
Gotthardstrasse 77a
6460 Altdorf
Tel 041 875 28 06
E-Mail: sonderbewilligungen@ur.ch
https://www.ur.ch/publikationen/6500 - 3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 17.09.2025, 18:14
Fuorns - Campra
Winter tyres are obligater for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass imay close completely. See also www.lucomagno.ch
- 4°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 27.08.2025, 08:25
Silvaplana - Casaccia
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close Complete,
- -1°COpen, snow covered. Risk of slippery iceUpdated on: 23.09.2025, 19:25
All' Acqua - Ulrich
On the Ticino side open during the winter to All'Acqua.
-
- 7°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 14.09.2025, 20:48
Zernez - Tschierv
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close completely.
Traffic information for the bordering South Tyrol/Passes: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse
- 4°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 27.07.2025, 12:02
Muotathal - Glarus
The following traffic restrictions apply to the entire Pragelpass road:
1. Motor vehicles and motorcycles are prohibited on Saturdays and Sundays, 5.5 km after the
pass summit (cantonal border SZ/GL to Richisau, approx. 2 km)
2. On public holidays that do not fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the Pragelpass is normally passable
(except winter closure)
3. Maximum weight 3.5 tons (SSV signal 2.16) except for agricultural, alpine and forestry
traffic, traffic for the construction, operation and maintenance of public and private works (incl.
electrical infrastructures), traffic for milk processing plants and military traffic;
4. Driving ban for trailers (SSV signal 2.09) except for agricultural, alpine and forestry
traffic, traffic for the construction, operation and maintenance of public and private works (incl.
electrical infrastructures), traffic for milk processing plants and military traffic;
5. Maximum weight of agricultural, alpine and forestry traffic, traffic for the construction, operation and maintenance
of public and private works (incl. electrical infrastructure) and traffic for
milk processing plants incl. trailers 32 tons (SSV signal 2.16);
6. Maximum weight of military traffic incl. trailers 12 tons.
For special permits relating to weight restrictions, please use the application form on the
online portal. https://www.bezirk-schwyz.ch/aktuelles/pragelpass/ - 2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 20.06.2025, 03:00
Hinterrhein - San Bernardino (Pass road, italien road).
- 3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 17.05.2025, 10:24
Brig - Gondo
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on ithe weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close completely.
-
-
- -1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 21.09.2025, 06:29
Sta. Maria i. M. - country border
Traffic information for neighbouring South Tirol pass: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse