KMII
[Montblanc Moderator]
41131
More glorious in name - the Furka pass 🇨🇭
Continuing with the Alpine pass series, the next one to be featured is the Furka pass. I believe most people with something of an automotive vein will recognize the switchback with a hotel nestled into it - it has appeared in James Bond as well as in most car magazines at one point or another. And as with Stelvio (read here: www.watchprosite.com for a report) reality might not fully meet the myth.
The way I drove it was starting from the Grimselpass (a true great on which more in the coming weeks) towards the Andermatt.
The initial climb is actually glorious, with an open snaking road wide enough and with adequate visibility to make great progress (and pass the odd motorhome, should the need occur). It continues in the vein of Grimsel.
There’s a fluid section to start with, followed by a switchback ascent. The switchbacks are broad and the road adequately smooth for great progress. It’s a matter of only a few minutes before you reach the mentioned, famous hotel.
Sadly my attempt at capturing the famous scene from the car failed miserably, so here an upper facade shot - I was hoping for a free drive ahead and did not want to let the slower traffic pass (hence the shots from within the car). I should not have worried in hindsight…
While the first couple of curves past the hotel continue in the same vein, soon after the parking lot at the top the pass changes dramatically.
And from the reasonably wide and flowing, you get a narrow, constrained road, which while offering some mild thrills if you are all alone, also means that of you’re stuck behind someone less than cooperative, you will have to follow them at a snail’s pace all the way to the bottom - nowhere is the road wide enough to allow overtaking, unless you’re on n a motorcycle or the motorist in front helps by briefly stopping. At least that allows you to more fully take in the nature.
And if you’re lucky there will be something of interest parked beside the road.
The slow pace also aids in capturing the natural beauty, be it waterfalls or the surrounding mountains.
It seems many motorists (also with more exciting machinery) are drawn to the pass but the likelihood of this being a thrilling drive was most likely as low for them as for me…
When you reach the bottom there’s a final sight - the blink and you’ve missed it village of Zumdorf (purportedly the smallest in Switzerland, a fact that Wikipedia disputes).
So while you will climb to 2429 meters and have the chance of some amazing photography (and to recreate some very famous social media material), I have to admit that in terms of driving it was one of the less exciting passes. Nothing like the Grimsel next to it, or the high speed (and higher) Tendürek Gecidi (here: www.watchprosite.com
for more detail) and much more like Stelvio - famous but not glorious.
Still probably worthwhile seeing if in the region and if you had fun on the Grimsel approaching the Furka, the disappointment will be less.
More glorious in name - the Furka pass 🇨🇭
Continuing with the Alpine pass series, the next one to be featured is the Furka pass. I believe most people with something of an automotive vein will recognize the switchback with a hotel nestled into it - it has appeared in James Bond as well as in most...
Thanks for the tour
If you were going any faster I could have been carsick. I like the Austin Healey 3000 stopped on the side. Possibly overheating (engine if coming up or brakes if going down) and driver says “Let’s stop and stretch our legs” before the he...
Too funny - I guess having ample experience with the cars of that generation leads to…
An ‘it takes time me to know one’ situation I am glad you enjoyed the virtual ride!
Fabulous dive …
The scenery is spectacular. I can almost smell the tyres and brakes from here ��
On the descent there was not much to smell…
Given how slow it was - unfortunately. On the ascent it was a different story with the correct smells
In that region, you have to try the Nufenen pass
Not well known, so often less traffic And then afterwards. You take the great road to our house in the alps, it is really not far from these passes. And the road is more like a rally stage, so quite enjoyable ��. Going from 500m to 1200m. Ch...
There’s a great recommendation for the next trip 👍🏻
Will make sure to try it next time - thanks so much for this!
Yep, my friend, totally agree… 👍🏻😅😁
If you go next time to central ����, and you have TIME, do the following: Drive up to to Wassen (Uri), do in this order 1. Susten 2. Grimsel 3. from Gletsch down to Goms-Wallis to Ulrichen 4. Nufenen to Airolo 5. up to St. Gott...
Sure thing - quite some more to come 😊👍🏻
In all honesty, even without the traffic the second part would not be loads of fun - the road doesn’t allow you to get into any kind of flow.
For this one there’s little difference in terms of vehicle…
As you will be taking at least the second, longer bit, at relatively low speeds. But following MCGs recommendations for passes in the vicinity you will definitely enjoy the right car!
