007's Climb: Furka Pass
Statistics: Furka Pass from Andermatt, Switzerland
Length: 7,18 miles / 11,55 km
Elevation Gain: 2799 feet / 853 m
Average Gradient: 7,4%
Strava Segment: https://strava.app.link/4ZZ9biu240b
Hotel Recommendation: https://thebaseandermatt.com
Best time to go: June to September/October
Starting in Andermatt and finishing in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Furka Pass connects the two Swiss Cantons of Valais and Uri. The legendary Furka Pass first became famous in the James Bond car-chase scene in Goldfinger. Today, the Pass can also be recognized as James Bond Straße. The Furka also features the famous Hotel Belvedere, which offers picturesque Swiss views of the Rhone Glacier from the Furka's final Southern hairpin.
The Furka Pass is arguably the most famous Pass in the Swiss Alps, and it certainly lives up to its expectation. The road is narrow and cyclists often get the feeling that they are carving their way through the mountain. Starting in Andermatt at 1437m / 4715ft, and ending on the top of the Furka at 2429m / 7970ft, it also does not require too much climbing to get views above the clouds and the surrounding mountains.
If you are starting in Andermatt, I recommend climbing the Furka and combining the Pass with either the Grimsel / Sustenpass or the Nufenen / Gotthardpass. At best, do both routes. They were some of the best rides I have ever done on the bike.
Andermatt 1 (Furka/Nufenen/Gothard): https://www.komoot.com/tour/1914782222?ref=itd
Andermatt 2 (Furka/Grimsel/Susten): https://www.komoot.com/tour/1914783930?ref=itd
In the late Autumn of 2024, I rode the Furka Pass as the first climb of the legendary Furka / Grimsel / Susten Mountain trio in the Swiss Alps. During this time of the year, these Passes are often times inaccessible to cyclists due to the snow, but this year we were lucky.
The Furka Ascent begins in Andermatt, but properly kicks-off when reaching the Furka - Oberalp Bahn. Here, the road narrows and immediately kicks-up to a double digit gradient. After 5km, cyclists reach James Bond's lookout. It was here where they filmed the James Bond film, Goldfinger, and Sean Connery drove his Aston Martin DB5 away from Goldfinger's Rolls Royce Phantom in 1964.
After passing the James Bond lookout, the Furka Pass continues upwards and slowly winds its way through Swiss mountains. The climb features a total of 24 hairpins and maintains a steady gradient of 7% to the Summit. When reaching the Summit, I recommend taking a second to enjoy the view at the top. From here, you can the Grimsel Pass to the North, and of course the Rhone Glacier to the West.
The Hotel Belvedere is also located around 2km below the Summit on the Valais side of the Furka Pass. This hotel was originally opened in 1882 and is world famous. Hotel Belvedere was used as a popular stopping point in the past for people crossing the Alps. The Hotel was also an attraction for tourists, who wanted to experience the Rhone Glacier. Today, the Hotel is closed, but remains significant due to its location on the Furka Pass and the legendary backdrop.
After Hotel Belvedere, cyclists descend 8km all the way to Gletsch and either turn right to ride the Grimsel Pass or continue straight to ride the Nufenen Pass. Enjoy the descent, and as always enjoy the ride.
