RoadAtlas
Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland — Mountain
Europe

Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop

Switzerland

Loop / circuit
Loop from Andermatt

In short: Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop is a 120 km mountain road trip in Switzerland, typically driven over 1 day, best in Jun–Oct. Highlights: Andermatt, Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass.

Distance
120 km
Duration
1 day
Best Season
Jun–Oct
LegendaryModerateMountainEV-friendly

The most concentrated Alpine pass loop on Earth, three legendary roads in a single circuit. The Susten crosses a granite wilderness, the Grimsel skirts black glacial reservoirs, and the Furka passes the Rhône Glacier, where Bond once drove an Aston Martin.

Practical notes
Start early and check the live status of Susten, Grimsel and Furka before committing; any one closure breaks the loop. Drive within visible stopping distance, yield safely to buses and cyclists and never rely on a supposed one-direction safety rule. The default paid attraction is the conditional Rhône Glacier/ice-grotto stop if officially open. Gelmerbahn is only a separately prebooked substitution that replaces other sightseeing, never an additional guaranteed stop.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Andermatt–Furka–Grimsel–Meiringen–Susten loop

Furka Pass and conditional Rhône Glacier stop · Grimsel Hospiz and Susten viewpoints · Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe

Stops along the route

Andermatt — Departure — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Departure
Andermatt
Junction of four major Alpine passes at 1444m. Start early to catch clear light on the summits before afternoon cloud builds.
Hotels
Meiringen — City — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
City
Meiringen
Claimed birthplace of meringue and home of Reichenbach Falls, where Conan Doyle sent Sherlock Holmes plunging to his death.
Hotels
Andermatt — Arrival — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Arrival
Andermatt
The loop closes back in the village. Three passes, three geological zones, 120km of the finest concentrated Alpine driving on the continent.
Hotels

Things to Do

Furka Pass — Nature — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Nature
Furka Pass
2429m. The Rhone Glacier spills below the road; Bond chased a car across these hairpins in Goldfinger. The Hotel Belvedere faces the ice.
Grimsel Pass — Landmark — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Landmark
Grimsel Pass
2165m. The Grimselsee and Raterichsbodensee sit black in a granite moonscape scraped bare by ice, more Icelandic than Swiss.
Susten Pass — Landmark — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Landmark
Susten Pass
2224m, the youngest of the three passes, opened 1945. Clear sections reveal the Stein Glacier at its most photogenic before the tunnel descent.
Furka Pass and conditional Rhône Glacier stop — Mountain road — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Mountain road
Furka Pass and conditional Rhône Glacier stop
Use the attraction only if officially open; otherwise keep the pass viewpoint.
Grimsel Hospiz and Susten viewpoints — Mountain road — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Mountain road
Grimsel Hospiz and Susten viewpoints
Use signed pull-offs and preserve daylight for the final pass.

Where to Eat

Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe — Swiss alpine — Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop — Switzerland
Swiss alpine
Hotel Grimsel Passhöhe
Confirm seasonal lunch opening before departure.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop drive?

The Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop covers 120 km from start to finish.

How long does the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1 day on the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop?

The recommended season for the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop is Jun–Oct.

What are the main stops on the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop?

The Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop passes through Andermatt, Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass.

How difficult is the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop to drive?

The Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop in a regular car?

Yes — the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop EV friendly?

Yes — the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop safe to drive?

Start early and check the live status of Susten, Grimsel and Furka before committing; any one closure breaks the loop. Drive within visible stopping distance, yield safely to buses and cyclists and never rely on a supposed one-direction safety rule. The default paid attraction is the conditional Rhône Glacier/ice-grotto stop if officially open. Gelmerbahn is only a separately prebooked substitution that replaces other sightseeing, never an additional guaranteed stop.

What scenic tier is the Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop?

The Susten–Grimsel–Furka Loop is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.