Open, no restrictions
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/
Updated on: 27.07.2025, 12:02
History
The wild valley in which the Starzlen River flows on the Schwyz side of the Pragel Pass was used to get to the Klön Valley on the Glarner side way back in Medieval times. The watershed at the top of the pass acted as a natural border and the area was used up to the rear Richisau to graze cattle, which was of tremendous economic importance. The urge to aquire new lands lead to tension with neighbouring areas and even had to be taken to the courts (1417/18). Disputes about border rights flared up again during the 17th century and Johann Franz Schmid, the bailiff of Uri, had to step in to mediate and it wasnt until 1680 that the borders between Glarus and Schwyz were finally determined. Even today it is still joked about the stealing of the Klön Valley.
The Pragel Pass gained historical importance with the retreat of the Russion general Alexander Suworow, who retreated from defeat in upper Italy via the Gotthard Pass, Altdorf, Chinzig Chulm and through the Muota Valley into the Klön Valley and Glarus on his way back to Russia in 1799.
Although there were no particular geological problems, the project to build a road over the Pragel Pass (1766-1908) continually fell through and a projected narrow-guage railway was also never realized (1911). It wasnt until 1939 that the Swiss Federal Government agreed to subsidise the building of a goods road. The Glarner side was built in 1940 and the Schwyz side in 1978 (with assistance from the Swiss army). The Glarner parliament forbade the use of the road on weekends, which the Swiss government also supported in 1981 and since then the road is closed for motorised traffic between Klöntal and Richisau on Saturday and Sunday. The area offers nature-lovers plenty to see with the Bödmeren forest, Silberen, Charetalp and bike riders can enjoy the car free (but not sweat free) road!
Closed time during winter: Opening / Closing Pragelpass
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pragelpass | 07.06. - 18.11. | 08.06. - 10.11. | 01.06. - 18.11. | 14.06. - 02.11. | 19.05. - 26.10. | 20.06. - 07.11. | 21.06. - 29.10. | 31.05. - 23.10. | 13.06. - 07.11. | 03.06. - 21.11. |
Technical Data
Location
Signalisation
- Fahrverbot für Gesellschaftswagen über 3.5 t Gesamtgewicht und für Kleinbusse über 14 Plätze.
- Fahrverbot für Lastwagen über 3.5 t Gesamtgewicht, ausgenommen für land- und forstwirtschaftlichen Verkehr.
- Fahrverbot für Anhänger, ausgenommen für land- und forstwirtschaftlichen Verkehr.
- Fahrverbot für Mililärfahrzeuge über 12t Gesamtgewicht
- Fahrverbot für Militärfahrzeuge über 12t Gesamtgewicht.
- Samstags und sonntags gilt ein Verbot für Motorwagen und Motorräder, ab 5.5 km nach
- Passhöhe (Kantonsgrenze SZ/GL) bis Richisau, ca. 2 km. Zuständigkeit beim Kanton Glarus.
Passes
-
- 4°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
- 5°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.
-
- 8°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.
-
-
- -0°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