Sustenpass, Switzerland
Sustenpass, Switzerland

Photo by Diego Schläppi 

-6°C

Winter closure: partly lifted

Wassen - Innertkirchen

On the Bern side, the road is open as far as Feldmoos

Note: Gental open to Haberen.

On the Uri side, the road is open as far as Färnigen.


Updated on: 28.03.2024, 14:30

History

Documents from the 17th century prove the existence of the mule-train trading route over the Susten Pass but it was never a very important trading route. Religious differences, however, gave the pass a certain amount of strategic importance as is documented by the construction of fortifications and barriers in the Meien Valley in 1618. During the war years of 1798 and 1799, the Susten Pass was used as an approach route by the French to trap the Austrians and later the Russians.

The Swiss became aware of the strategic importance of the Susten Pass when Napoleon seized the Simplon Pass, cutting off the trading route to the Piemont. Together with the canton of Uri they were obliged to widen the old trading route and construction began in 1811. The road was open between Feden & Meien in 1818 and the last section as far as Wassen wasn’t completed until almost 100 years later. 

In 1938 the Swiss Federal Government and the cantons of Bern and Uri agreed to upgrade the road – partly to modernise the existing transport network and partly, on the eve of the second world war, because of national defence. The road was opened for the public on 7 September 1946 and a plaque at the top of the pass commemorates the construction: «1938 - 1946, In ernster Zeit dem Frieden geweih – In solemn times - dedicated to peace». In summer, the Susten Pass is one of the most popular pass roads in Switzerland. 

Closed time during winter: Opening / Closing Sustenpass

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
Sustenpass
16.06. -
30.10.
03.06. -
09.11.
26.06. -
03.11.
14.06. -
28.10.
26.06. -
04.11.
15.06. -
29.10.
09.06. -
30.10.
11.06. -
03.11.
03.06. -
17.11.
23.05. -
21.10.
19.06. -
29.10.
16.06. -
26.10.
17.05. -
10.10.
02.06. -
18.10.
10.06. -
20.10.
13.06. -
27.10.
23.05. -
06.11.
11.06. -
01.11.
02.06. -
14.11.
10.06. -
28.10.
28.05. -
20.10.
07.06. -
04.11.
01.06. -
07.11.
09.06. -
02.11.
01.07. -
03.11.
28.05. -
25.10.
28.05. -
08.11.
31.05. -
04.11.
18.06. -
02.11.
13.06. -
26.10.
04.06. -
11.11.
12.06. -
23.10.

Accommodation and activities

Technical Data

West28 kmInnertkirchen (626 m.a.s.l.)5.7%7.3%2224 m.a.s.l.Wassen (916 m.a.s.l.)East18 km
Cantons
Bern (BE) , Uri (UR)
Distance
46 Km
Vertex
2224 m.a.s.l.
Max. gradient
9 %
Passable
Winter closure (Oct/May)
Restaurant
yes

Location

Map image
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Signalisation

Standort: Wassen

Wassen - Innertkirchen:
- zulässiges Höchstgewicht 32 t

Passes