Grimsel Pass by motorbike.
By Edoardo · published October 29, 2026
In short
The Grimsel Pass (2,164 m) links the Haslital, in the canton of Bern, with Gletsch, in the upper Rhône valley in Valais. It is the only direct road pass between Bern and Valais across the Bernese Alps: from Meiringen to Gletsch the paved road is 38 km long.
Updated October 2026What it is like to ride.
From Meiringen the road climbs through Innertkirchen and Guttannen, along the Räterichsboden and Grimselsee reservoirs; at the top it runs beside the Totensee. It is usually closed from October to May because of snow. From the pass you drop down to Gletsch, where the Furka climb begins.
What to see.
The Totensee at the top is a natural lake enlarged into a reservoir. At Handegg the Gelmerbahn starts, the steepest funicular in Switzerland. The Grimsel hospice is mentioned as early as 1400, but the old mule track only became a road in 1894.
Useful links.
Links to official external sites, checked in October 2026.
On our routes.
It is not on one of our routes: you will find it, with the passes around it, in the Alpine passes atlas.
Frequently asked questions.
- How high is the Grimsel Pass?
- The Grimsel Pass lies at 2,164 metres and links the Haslital (Meiringen, Bern) and Gletsch, in the upper Rhône valley (Valais).
- Is the Grimsel Pass open in winter?
- No: it is closed in winter. Recent dates and the official sites for today's status are on the page Passes open and closed.
- Which routes cross the Grimsel Pass?
- It is not on one of our routes yet.
- Can you drive the Grimsel Pass by car?
- Yes: the road is paved and open to traffic. In summer, set off early in the morning to avoid traffic and cyclists.
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