Furka Pass: Dangerous Road with Unbelievable Scenery

The journey from the Tyrolean Alps in Austria through to the southern Swiss Alps in Saas Grund would have to be one of the best scenic drives in the world. Once you have passed through the very long tunnels exiting Austria and come back into the natural light in Liechtenstein, the landscape changes from scenic valleys to the rugged and snowy Oberalp region and the spectacular Furka Pass.

Tyrolean Alps in Austria

Castles and villages in Liechtenstein 

Swiss Austrian unused border

Road signs for Switzerland (CH) and Liechtenstein (FL)

On route to the Furka Pass in Switzerland

The Furka Pass is considered one of Switzerland's best drives, both scenically and for driver ability. The road winds through several hair pin bends up to around 2500m. In fact, it is most famously known from the road scene in the James Bond movie Goldfinger. It seems that some drivers think they are James Bond and attempt to overtake on the perilous road, as we witnessed coming around a hairpin bend. A Porsche driver was overtaking another small car and had to pull back quickly onto his side of the road, clipping the small car as he went. Luckily, it wasnt a major hit or someone might have been at the bottom of the mountain.

We stopped for some lunch at the Hotel Furkablick which overlooks the mountain pass. It is only opened in summer because it is covered in mist and snow in winter. The position of the hotel pass connects the Rhine and Rhone valleys.

Climbing the Furka Pass - the road and buildings we had passed.

Winding roads and hair pin bends of the Furka Pass

Hotel Furkablick where we stopped for a snack

On the deck of the hotel overlooking the top of the pass

Summer snow

Rebecca's snowman

Winding road of the Furka pass

Our apartment for the night at Saas Grund

Nice touch!

Sculptures on the wall of the apartment building