Ofenpass, Switzerland
Ofenpass, Switzerland
-8°C

Open, snow covered. Risk of slippery ice

Zernez - Tschierv snow covered

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

 


Updated on: 20.11.2024, 11:29

History

The Münster Valley was inhabited in prehistoric times and the Ofen Pass used. The strategically important access to Churrätien may have lead to building the Monestary at Muestair. Basic shelter for traders carrying corn, wine, iron, copper and salt northwards were built in the 1500’s.

An organisation was formed to regulate maintenance and toll-taking and the village of Zernez was required to maintain the pass in summer and winter and was allowed to charge a road toll. A similar contract was drawn up in 1563 with the neighbouring area of Tschierv who were required to transport wares from Santa Maria to the Ofen Pass.  The Ofen Pass was never as important as the other north-south traverses (Julier, Septimer, Splügen) and a very basic road existed until the mid 1900’s which was used by traders and their mules and also two-wheeled barrows. 

Repairs to the road around 1864 enabled horse-drawn postal/passenger coaches to travel over the pass regularly. With financial aid from the Swiss government the road was extended from Zernez to Müstair between 1870 & 1872 – probably because of its strategic importance. In 1922 horse-drawn coaches were replaced by postal buses which travelled summer and winter from 1934. A narrow-guage railway over the Ofen Pass connecting to the Vinschgau Railway was planned in 1906 and in 1909 permission was granted. The railway was never built due to financial reasons during the war years. 

Technical Data

South14 kmSanta Maria Val Muestair (1375 m.a.s.l.)5.6%3.1%2149 m.a.s.l.Zernez (1473 m.a.s.l.)North21 km
Cantons
Graubünden (GR), Graubünden (GR)
Distance
35 Km
Vertex
2149 m.a.s.l.
Max. gradient
14.3 %
Passable
open all year round
Restaurant
yes

Location

Map image
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Signalisation

Standort: Zernez

Zernez - Müstair:
- Anhänger an schweren Motorwagen nur bei schneefreier Fahrbahn gestattet

Standort: Müstair

Zernez - Müstair:
- Anhänger an schweren Motorwagen nur bei schneefreier Fahrbahn gestattet

Passes