Furka Pass from Realp Bike Climb: 11.4 km at 7.4%

Switzerland Furka Pass (Realp)

Furka Pass (Realp) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

19.6

PDI

7.1 mi

DISTANCE

2,762 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

7.4 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Helmuth Dekkers, Netherlands

INTRO

Furka Pass from Realp climbs 11.4 km (7.1 mi) from the southern edge of Realp, the last village before the pass, to the Furka at 2,429 m (7,969 ft), gaining 842 m (2,762 ft) at a 7.4% average. Our route runs from 1,566 m (5,138 ft) to 2,408 m (7,900 ft), a short way below the summit. It is one of the great Swiss pass climbs and part of our Andermatt top cycling area.

Nearly all of the work comes early. The nine hairpins arrive in the first 5.3 km (3.3 mi), which average 8.1%, as the road climbs out of the Urseren valley through alpine pasture; after an easier middle section the last 6.1 km (3.8 mi) average 6.8%. Along the way you pass a golf course tee at km 1, the "James Bond Strasse" viewpoint at km 2.3 (1.4 mi) where scenes of Goldfinger (1964) were filmed, and an unattended honesty-box shop with local goods at km 5.2 (3.2 mi).

The pass is seasonal: it reopened on 29 May 2026 and typically closes again in late October or early November. The Furka has also featured in several stages of the Tour de Suisse.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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Furka Pass from Realp gains 842 m (2,762 ft) in 11.4 km (7.1 mi) for a 7.4% average, rising from 1,566 m (5,138 ft) to 2,408 m (7,900 ft).

The first 5.3 km (3.3 mi) are the steepest and the most consistent, averaging 8.1% across all nine hairpins; the first five kilometers run 8.6%, 8.5%, 7.6%, 8.1% and 7.8%. The seventh and eighth kilometers (miles 3.7 to 5.0) ease to 5.4% and 4.9%, a good place to recover, then the road climbs at 6.8%, 8.5% and 8.1% in kilometers 9 to 11 (miles 5.0 to 6.8) before flattening to the finish.

The steepest half-kilometer averages 9.1%, the steepest kilometer 8.8% and the steepest mile 8.6%, so the grade rarely surprises you: there is no single savage ramp, just sustained effort at altitude.

Roadway: The road is paved the whole way and, like most Swiss mountain roads, smoothly maintained. It is wide enough for two tour buses to pass, though only just, so expect brief delays when buses, animals or road maintenance meet on the narrow hairpins. The pass is closed in winter: in 2025 it was open from 28 May to 27 October, and in 2024 from 21 June to 11 November, with exact dates set by snow, so check the current pass status before an early- or late-season ride. On the Realp side vehicles are limited to 18 tonnes and trailers and caravans are banned.

Traffic: Light on the pastures just above Realp, building toward the summit, where motorcycles, cars and tour buses share the hairpins on summer weekends and around midday. Weekday mornings are the quietest.

Parking: Realp has signposted day parking before the village, near the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn station and the Grotto Stella d'Oro, and more on the village square; fees apply from 6:00 am to midnight. Realp is also a stop on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn line from Andermatt or Oberwald, which makes a car-free start easy.

Gear: A standard road bike with a compact gear range is plenty. The pass tops out at 2,429 m (7,969 ft), snow patches can linger beside the road even in summer, and the weather turns quickly, so carry a wind layer and arm or knee warmers for the descent.

Provisions: There is a small honesty-box shop with local goods at km 5.2 (3.2 mi), Berghotel Galenstock and the hamlet of Tiefenbach shortly after, and the Restaurant Furkablick at the summit, but opening times vary, so carry food and two bottles.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

Realp (1,538 m / 5,046 ft) is a small Urseren valley village of about 150 people, and its heritage railway is the reason many visitors stop. The Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke runs steam locomotives from Realp over the old Furka mountain section to Oberwald, nearly 18 km (11.2 mi) of partly cog-rail track that peaks at 2,160 m (7,087 ft); it runs only in summer, typically from late June to early October. Coming from Andermatt, the valley road through Hospental to Realp is mostly flat to false flat, a gentle warm-up before the hairpins begin.

A trail at km 9.5 (5.9 mi) leads to the Sidelenhütte, a popular hiking hub, and the Sidelenbach waterfall falls beside the road in the last few kilometers. The Rhône Glacier, the Belvédère hairpins and the Obergoms valley lie on the far side of the pass and are covered on our Furka Pass (Obergoms) page, while the Ticino side of the Nufenen and the Gotthard are on Nufenenpass East. With the finish above 2,400 m, check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.