Alpivaro
Switzerland packs an extraordinary variety of driving experiences into a country roughly the size of Wales. Within a single day on the road, you can move from a fog-covered lowland valley to a sun-drenched pass at two thousand metres, then descend into a palm-tree-lined lakeside town that feels entirely Mediterranean. Alpivaro organises the country's roads into distinct route categories, each with its own character, difficulty level, and best-travel season. Whether you are a first-time visitor seeking the classic highlights or a returning traveller hunting for lesser-known roads, our route library has a starting point for you.
Connecting the Urseren Valley with the Goms region at 2,429 metres, the Furka Pass offers one of the most cinematic stretches of road in Europe. The route passes within metres of the Rhône Glacier and provides unobstructed views across a landscape that feels deliberately theatrical.
The Gotthard has connected northern and southern Europe for centuries, and driving the old cobblestone road rather than the tunnel remains one of the most historically resonant experiences Switzerland offers. The hairpin bends above Airolo demand patience and reward it generously.
Less crowded than its famous neighbours, the Susten Pass links Innertkirchen with Wassen through a landscape of glacial cirques and waterfalls that seem to drop from nowhere. It is a first-rate choice for travellers who want alpine grandeur without the tour-bus traffic.
The route hugging the northern shore of Lake Geneva passes through vineyards listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the lake glittering below and the Alps reflected on its surface. The drive between Lausanne and Montreux takes under an hour but deserves at least half a day.
The Inn Valley in Graubünden offers a gentler alpine experience — wide meadows, larch forests, and a string of towns including St. Moritz and Sils Maria that have attracted artists and writers for two centuries. The valley road itself is well-maintained year-round and welcomes caravans.
Between Martigny and Sierre, the Rhône Valley floor passes through the heart of Valais wine country. The road is bordered by terraced vineyards climbing steeply on both sides, and several wineries along the route open their doors to travellers without prior reservation.
The highest road pass in Switzerland that is entirely within the country, the Nufenen connects Ulrichen with Airolo through terrain that sees far fewer visitors than the classic passes. Snow lingers late into the season, making mid-July the sweet spot for a first crossing.
Linking the cantons of Uri and Glarus, the Klausen is a narrow, technically engaging road that rewards confident drivers with views of the Schächen Valley and a summit plateau that feels genuinely remote despite being less than two hours from Zurich.
Switzerland's lowest transalpine pass sits at just 1,914 metres and remains open longer than most. It is the quietest of the Ticino-facing passes and an ideal choice for a late-October drive when the larches have turned gold and the summer crowds have long gone home.
Plan unforgettable Swiss road trips with Alpivaro. Scenic alpine routes, mountain pass guides, seasonal itineraries and roadside attractions across Switzerland.