Susten Pass — 2,224 metres of mid-century Swiss engineering

Susten is the youngest of the classic Swiss passes and the first one designed for cars from day one. The wider curves, the long sight lines, the parade of arched masonry viaducts on the Uri side: none of it is accident. It was drawn up as infrastructure but built like a showpiece.

History

The road was agreed in 1938 by the federal government and the cantons of Bern and Uri, partly to modernise the transit network and partly, on the eve of the Second World War, for national defence. Construction ran through the war years and the road opened on 7 September 1946. A plaque at the summit reads In ernster Zeit dem Frieden geweiht (in solemn times, dedicated to peace). With 26 bridges and tunnels, it was regarded at the time as one of the most beautiful alpine roads in Europe.

Riding it

From Innertkirchen in the Bernese Oberland the climb runs 33 km to the summit, gaining altitude gradually through forest before opening onto the glacier basin below the Sustenhorn. The gradient tops out near 9% but feels easier than the number suggests, thanks to the smooth alignment.

The Uri side toward Wassen is shorter and steeper, a fast descent with long sight lines and a run of arched viaducts that curve with the terrain. In either direction the road feels designed for driving pleasure, which it was: the alignment was laid out as much for tourism as for transport.

Along the way

• Steingletscher glacier viewpoint — A hotel and terrace overlooking the retreating Stein glacier, the classic Susten postcard and a natural halfway stop on the climb.
• Sustenhospiz — The summit hospice and restaurant on the Bern side of the pass, a quiet base for overnight crossings.
• Steinsee — The meltwater lake at the foot of the Stein glacier, reached by a short walk from the road near the summit car park.
• The Uri viaducts — The series of curved masonry bridges on the descent toward Wassen, a textbook of mid-century alpine engineering.
• Central Switzerland four-pass loop — Susten pairs with Furka, Grimsel and Gotthard on the classic Swiss circuit.