29.9
PDI
11.4 mi
DISTANCE
4,378 ft
GAINED
7.3 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Helmuth Dekkers, Nehterlands
INTRO
Sustenpass connects the Reuss valley in Uri with the Bernese Oberland, climbing 18.3 km (11.4 mi) from Wassen to the 2,224 m (7,297 ft) Passhohe, gaining roughly 1335 m (4,378 ft) at a 7.3% average grade.
Opened in 1945, it was the first Alpine pass road purpose-built for motor traffic, and it's rated Hors Categorie today - among the toughest, most storied climbs in the Alps.
The Wassen side is defined by the engineering packed into its first few kilometers: the road ducks through two short tunnels and beneath a stone Gotthard railway viaduct before the valley opens up, then works through a long series of hairpins - 23 in total across the full pass - climbing steadily above the treeline. Guardrails give way to bare granite and scree near the top, and the final approach passes through a 300 m tunnel bored through the summit ridge - the actual dividing line between Uri and Bern.
Wassen itself is worth a look before you clip in - its white church spire is a landmark for rail travelers, as the Gotthard railway's spiral loops pass it three times while gaining height up the valley.
Like every high Alpine pass in this region, Sustenpass closes for winter - typically from November into June, reopening in stages as snow clearance allows. Confirm current road status before an early or late-season ride.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. The climb averages 7.3% over 18.3 km (11.4 mi), gaining 1,335 m (4,378 ft) from Wassen (921 m/3,022 ft) to the Sustenpass summit (2,254 m/7,396 ft per our GPX data - trailside signage puts the Passhohe at 2,224 m).
The steepest sustained stretch comes right out of the gate: the opening quarter-mile averages 8.8%, and the first mile holds 8.4% before easing gradually - down to 8.1% by 2.5 miles and 7.9% by 5 miles. There's no flat or downhill relief anywhere on the route; it's a steady, unbroken grind rather than a climb with distinct steep pitches and recovery sections. Gearing built for sustained 7-9% pitches at altitude - a compact crank with a wide-range cassette - is the right call here.
Roadway: The road is paved for its entire 18.3 km (11.4 mi), and has been in excellent, well-maintained condition through recent seasons - Sustenpass was Switzerland's first Alpine pass road purpose-built for cars when it opened in 1945, and it's maintained accordingly as a key link between Uri and the Bernese Oberland. It closes each winter under snow, typically from November into June (it reopened June 12 in 2026) - check Uri canton's pass-status page before an early- or late-season ride, though these closures are routine and well-signposted rather than emergency closures.
Traffic: Light to moderate. Sustenpass, Grimselpass, and Furkapass form a popular loop for motorcyclists and classic-car tours in summer, so expect company, especially midday; traffic is lightest in early morning. The first couple of kilometers out of Wassen, through the tunnels and under the rail viaduct, see the least traffic of the whole climb.
Parking: Wassen is a small Gotthard-corridor village with a parking area near the old train station at the north end of town - a practical, free spot to leave a car for the day. If you'd rather not double back for a car at the finish, the PostBus connects Wassen with Goschenen and Erstfeld, letting you ride one-way and bus back.
Provisions: Cafe-Restaurant Sustenbruggli, in the Meiental about two-thirds of the way up from Wassen, is the one reliable stop for food and a drink before the final push to the pass - there's little else along the route, and multiple riders report only a single public fountain on the whole climb, so top off water in Wassen before you start.
Gear: This is an Hors Categorie climb with no flat sections to recover on, so a compact crank paired with a wide-range cassette (a 34-tooth chainring with a 30-32-tooth low cog is a common setup) makes the sustained 7-9% pitches manageable. Temperatures at the 2,224 m summit run noticeably colder and windier than Wassen even in summer, and the two short tunnels near the base plus the 300 m summit tunnel are unlit in places, so pack a light jacket, arm or knee warmers, and a small light or reflective gear for the tunnels.
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.
Wassen sits directly on the Gotthard rail and road corridor, so it's an easy stop if you're already touring the St. Gotthard/Furka/Grimsel pass cluster - Andermatt, with more lodging plus its own Gotthard Pass and Furka Pass climbs, is about 20 minutes down the valley by car. Wassen itself has only a guesthouse or two and no larger hotel, so many riders base in Andermatt or Erstfeld and drive or train in for the day.
If you're combining passes, Sustenpass pairs naturally with Grimselpass and Furkapass on the far side for a classic three-pass loop, though that's a big day for most riders - treating each as its own out-and-back or a point-to-point with a car shuttle is more common.
Check conditions at both Wassen and the Passhohe with our Weather tool before heading out, since the summit runs noticeably colder than the valley floor even in midsummer.
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