Interlaken to Bellagio Road Trip: Alpine Passes & Lakes

This 280-kilometer route from Interlaken to Bellagio crosses four alpine passes—Grimsel, Nufenen, St. Gotthard, and Splügen—descending 1,200 meters from the Bernese Oberland to the shores of Lake Como. The drive typically takes 5–6 hours without stops, but plan for a full day to savor the landscapes.

The Splügen Pass, built by the Romans, was a key trade route connecting northern Europe to Milan. Today, the A2 tunnel bypasses the old pass, but the panoramic road remains open in summer, offering hairpin turns and glacial views.

For tips on finding unique stops, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Key highways: A8 from Interlaken to Brienz, then Route 6 to Grimsel Pass (Höhe 2,164m). Descend to Gletsch, then take Route 19 over Nufenen Pass (2,478m). At Airolo, you can either use the A2 tunnel or take the old St. Gotthard Pass (Route 2). Continue on Route 13 to Splügen Pass (2,113m). After Chiavenna, follow SS340 along Lake Como to Bellagio.

• Toll roads: A2 tunnel costs 9 CHF (cars). Swiss vignette required (40 CHF). Italian motorway tolls: A9 Milan-Como is electronic.
• Fuel stations are sparse on passes; fill up in Meiringen, Andermatt, or Biasca.

Best driving months: June to September. Passes are closed in winter (November–May) due to snow. The St. Gotthard tunnel is open year-round, but the old pass road is seasonal.

• Check conditions: www.alpineroads.com or Swissmobil.ch.
• Carry chains in your trunk even in summer; sudden snow is possible above 2,000m.

Detour from Gletsch to the Furka Pass (Route 19) for the iconic Belvédère Hotel and the Rhône Glacier. Then backtrack. Another gem: the Lake Ritom funicular near Piotta (Airolo). It leads to a turquoise alpine lake.

• At Splügen, take the old road to the 'Granite Church' (Madonna del Monte).
• Before Chiavenna, detour to the Borghetto waterfall and the Romanesque church of San Fedele.

Climatic aesthetics: The route transitions from humid alpine (10–15°C in summer) to Mediterranean on Lake Como (25–30°C). The passes often have clouds and rain; bring layers. The light in the late afternoon casts long shadows on the mountains, perfect for photography.

• Best photo spots: Rhône Glacier viewpoint (Grimsel), the panorama at Nufenen summit, and the switchbacks of Splügen seen from above.

Grimsel Pass: See the Grimselsee reservoir and the Rhône Glacier. Stop at Gletsch for a view of the ice grotto (open June–September). Nufenen Pass offers a lunar landscape and the peak of Pizzo Rotondo. At Airolo, visit the WWF center or the old Gotthard Hospice.

• At St. Gotthard: the Devil's Bridge and Schöllenen Gorge. A short walk reveals wooden cantilever bridges.
• Splügen Pass: serpentine curves with views of the Suretta Glacier. At the summit, a stone monument marks the Swiss-Italian border.

Local commerce: In Andermatt, buy Sbrinz cheese (a hard alpine cheese). In Splügen village, try Bundnerfleisch (air-dried beef). In Chiavenna, sample bresaola and pizzoccheri. Bellagio is known for silk scarves and lake-grown olive oil.

• Farm shops along Route 6 in the Haslital offer fresh produce in summer.
• Sunday closures are common in Switzerland; plan ahead for groceries.

The roads are well-paved but narrow and winding. Watch for motorcycles and cyclists. Use pull-offs to let faster cars pass. Tunnel lighting is good, but headlights are mandatory.

• Speed limits: 80 km/h on passes, 50 km/h in villages. Radar traps are common in tunnels.
• Emergency call boxes every 2 km. In the St. Gotthard tunnel, breakdown bays are every 250m.

Family-friendly stops: The Swiss Open-Air Museum in Brienz (2 hours). The Tierpark in Andermatt (small zoo with alpine animals). In Chiavenna, the Acquafraggia Waterfalls (short hike).

• Playgrounds at rest stops near Airolo and Splügen village.
• Safe spots to stretch: Grimsel Hospiz, Nufenen Pass rest area, and the Splügen border post.

Fatigue management: Schedule a stop every 90 minutes. Nap spots: A8 service area Brienz, or the picnic tables at the summit of Splügen Pass. Eat a light lunch in Andermatt to avoid drowsiness.

• Energy tips: drink plenty of water, chew gum, and open windows for fresh air.
• If tired, use the 'Hirschensprung' viewpoint (Nufenen) to walk and wake up.