Interlaken to St. Moritz: Alpine Road Trip Guide

The road from Interlaken to St. Moritz is one of Switzerland's most dramatic driving experiences, traversing two high mountain passes—Grimsel (2,165 m) and Furka (2,429 m)—before descending into the Engadin valley. This route, often called the 'Golden Pass,' was originally a mule track and later a postal coach route, and the Furka Pass was famously featured in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger.

Covering 230 km (143 miles), the journey typically takes 4 to 5 hours of pure driving time, but plan for a full day to absorb the landscapes. The road surface is well-maintained, but the passes are narrow with steep gradients and numerous hairpin bends. Winter closures (typically November to May) require alternative routes via the Grimsel Tunnel and Furka Tunnel.

Below is a quick overview of key logistics:

Geographical Shifts

The route transitions from the lush Bernese Oberland (forests, lakes) to barren alpine tundra on the Grimsel, then to the rugged Urseren valley and the rocky lunar landscape of the Furka. Below Oberalp, you enter the Mediterranean-like Surselva valley with vineyards near Ilanz, finally climbing to the Engadin's high Alpine steppe with its famous larch forests.

• Grimsel Pass: Granite peaks, turquoise lakes (Grimselsee, Räterichsbodensee), and the massive Gelmer Bridge.
• Furka Pass: The iconic Belvedere Hotel overlooks the Rhône Glacier—one of Europe's largest ice streams.
• UNESCO Sites: The entire Albula Railway line (including the Albula Pass road) is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway, visible from parallel driving sections near Bergün.

Local Commerce and Delicacies

Stop at village markets for regional specialties: Bernese Oberland's Alpkäse (aged alpine cheese), Bündner Nusstorte (nut tart) from the Engadin, and Salsiz (air-dried sausages). In Andermatt, the Urserntaler Sportbahnen store sells local woolens. At the Galtür market (near guardrail on A13), pick up Veltliner wine from the Rhine valley.

• Must-buy: A packet of Bündner Bergkäse (hard cheese) at the dairies in Sedrun or Tujetsch.
• Crafts: Hand-carved wooden figures at the Dorfkrämerei in Meiringen.

Road Quality and Safety

The Grimselstrasse (Route 6/11) is well-paved but narrow; oncoming trucks may need to squeeze into passing bays. The Furka Pass is one-lane in sections; use the few turnouts. Night driving is strongly discouraged due to lack of guardrails on some bends and potential wildlife (ibex, deer). Tire traction is critical—summer tires are mandatory June–Oct, but snow can fall even in August.

• If you must stop for photos: Use Ausweichstellen (pullouts) marked with blue signs.
• Emergency contacts: Dial 117 (police), 144 (ambulance), 1414 (roadside assistance).

Family and Pet-Friendly Stops

For children, the Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg near Brienz (20 min detour) displays traditional Swiss houses. The Naturpark Pfyn-Finges near Leuk has easy trails and a playground. For pets, the Furkablick viewpoint has a grassy area for dogs—reward with a drink at the nearby Berggasthaus Furkablick (dog bowls available). Several tunnels on the route (Grimsel Tunnel, Furka Tunnel) may startle pets; keep them secured.

• Dog-friendly cafes: Pöstli in Andermatt, Café Central in St. Moritz.

Fatigue Management and Hidden Off-Route Spots

After the passes, consider a nap stop at the Raststätte in Andermatt (24-hr service station with quiet rooms). For a hidden gem, take the 5-min detour to the Göschenen Railway Tunnel portal (historic Gotthard tunnel entrance) or the abandoned Wassen Church (visible from A13 near Wassen). The village of Prättigau (but actually off-route) has a serene river walk—instead, exit at Ferrera to see the Rofflaschlucht gorge (5-min walk).

• Best rest zones: Park at the Grimselsee dam (free, scenic, toilets) or the Albula Pass summit (quiet, benches).

The journey begins on the A8 from Interlaken east toward Brienz, then switches to the Grimselstrasse (Route 6/11) at Brienzwiler. After crossing Grimsel Pass, the road descends to Gletsch, where you join the Furka Pass road (Route 19). At the eastern foot of Furka, you enter the Rhône Valley near Andermatt. From Andermatt, follow Route 19 east over Oberalp Pass (2,044 m) to Disentis, then take Route 19 south through the Surselva valley. At Chur, merge onto the A13 motorway south to Thusis, then follow Route 3 up the Albula Pass (2,315 m) to the Engadin and St. Moritz.

• Fuel Economics: Expect fuel consumption to spike by 20-30% on mountain grades. A typical petrol car might use 12-14 L/100 km on passes vs. 7-8 on flat roads. Fill up in Interlaken or Meiringen (cheaper than pass-top stations).
• Tolls: No separate tolls for passes, but a motorway vignette (40 CHF) is required for A13 sections.
• Rest Areas: Designated lay-bys every 5-10 km on passes; clean toilets at Grimsel Hospiz and Furka viewpoint.
• Parking: Limited at popular photo spots (Furka viewpoint, Rhône Glacier); arrive early.

For hidden gems along the way, check out this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.