Switzerland Road Trip by Camper Van: 5 Alpine Passes and 2 Glaciers
Switzerland Road Trip with a Motorhome: 5 Alpine Passes and 2 Glaciers
At Easter, we were drawn back to the Swiss mountains. We actually wanted to visit the Staubi Waterfall, but the pass road was closed. Instead, we discovered the Verena Gorge, a fantastic parking spot, and surprisingly a lot of snow on the Grimsel Pass.
📍 Highlights & Chapters:
- Lake Werdenberg – a relaxed start
- Klausen Pass – switchbacks and mountain panorama
- Staubbifall – one of Switzerland's highest waterfalls
- Gotthard Pass and Devil's Bridge
- Furka Pass – James Bond backdrop
- Hotel Belvédère on the Furka Pass
- Aletsch Glacier – largest glacier in the Alps
- Grimsel Pass and marmots
- Susten Pass – Alpine road with a view
- Stein Glacier with drone footage
- Our Conclusion
Lake Werdenberg – Relaxed start to Switzerland
Before heading into the high Alps, we made our first stop at Lake Werdenberg in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley.
Right next to the lake lies the historic town of Werdenberg, which with its old wooden houses and narrow alleys is one of the most beautiful places in the region. The calm water reflected the surrounding mountains, creating a beautiful atmosphere.
Especially in the early morning, there is a special tranquility here. Water birds glide over the lake and the first rays of sunshine bathe the mountain world in a warm light.
For us, this place was the perfect start to our trip to Switzerland. Far away from traffic and everyday life, we could truly arrive and enjoy the special atmosphere.
Klausen Pass – Switchbacks, snow, and fantastic views
At almost 2,000 meters above sea level, it is one of Switzerland's most famous pass roads, connecting the cantons of Uri and Glarus.
The ascent alone is an experience. The road winds its way up the mountain in numerous switchbacks, repeatedly revealing spectacular views of the surrounding peaks.
With every meter of altitude gained, the landscape became more alpine. While spring had already arrived in the valley, there were still large snowfields along the pass road.
We found the constant change between green alpine meadows, rugged rocks, and snow-covered mountain peaks particularly fascinating.
For us, the drive over the Klausen Pass was also a little journey back in time. Two years ago, we were already here with our quad. Memories of that tour immediately resurfaced.
Especially for motorhome travelers, the Klausen Pass is one of the most beautiful alpine roads in Switzerland.
The Staubbifall – One of Switzerland's highest waterfalls
Already from the pass road, one catches sight of an impressive natural spectacle.
The Staubbifall plunges some 250 meters into the depths, making it one of Switzerland's highest free-falling waterfalls.
Locals also call it the "Bridal Veil." The reason quickly becomes clear: the fine spray spreads over the rocks and indeed resembles a white veil.
Depending on the position of the sun, beautiful light plays are created around the waterfall.
The combination of steep rock faces, roaring masses of water, and the impressive mountain backdrop makes the Staubbifall one of the most beautiful photo opportunities along our route.
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On our interactive travel map, you'll find pitches, sights, and highlights of our motorhome tours through Europe.
Gotthard Pass and the famous Devil's Bridge
For centuries, this crossing has been one of the most important connections through the Alps. Traders, travelers, and armies already used the pass in the Middle Ages.
A special highlight is the famous Devil's Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge.
The current stone bridge dates back to 1830 and spans the wild gorge at an impressive height.
Directly next to it is the Suvorov Monument. It commemorates the battles between Russian and French troops in 1799.
While walking through the gorge, we also discovered numerous bunkers and tunnels. They date from a time when the Gotthard was heavily fortified militarily.
The blend of history, nature, and technology makes this place unique.
Furka Pass – In the footsteps of James Bond
From the Gotthard Pass, we continued to the Furka Pass.
This Alpine pass is considered by many to be one of Europe's most beautiful panoramic roads.
The Furka Pass gained worldwide fame through the James Bond film Goldfinger from 1964. At that time, Bond chased along the winding pass road in his Aston Martin.
Much still reminds us of that era today.
The countless switchbacks, the mighty mountain massifs, and the view of the Rhone Glacier make the route a true experience.
We stopped repeatedly to enjoy the scenery and take photos.
The Aletsch Glacier – The largest ice field in the Alps
After a short drive, we reached the valley station of the cable car.
Our destination was the famous Aletsch Glacier.
Even the ascent offered fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
Once at the top, a panorama unfolded that left us speechless.
The Aletsch Glacier is over 20 kilometers long, up to 800 meters thick, and covers an area of more than 80 square kilometers.
This makes it the largest glacier in the Alps.
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of Europe's most significant natural wonders.
At the same time, its retreat is thought-provoking. Since 1850, the glacier has already lost several kilometers of its length.
Nevertheless, the sight remains overwhelming.
Grimsel Pass – Granite, reservoirs, and marmots
After our visit to the Aletsch Glacier, the route continued over the Grimsel Pass.
With its mighty granite rocks, turquoise reservoirs, and spectacular switchbacks, it is one of Switzerland's most impressive alpine passes.
We were particularly looking forward to the marmots.
Directly at the top of the pass, visitors can observe the small alpine inhabitants up close.
These curious animals are among the absolute highlights of the Grimsel Pass for many travelers.
We also spent some time observing and photographing the marmots.
Susten Pass – One of Europe's most beautiful pass roads
With the Susten Pass, the fifth Alpine pass of our journey was already on the program.
The pass road was only opened in 1946 and is considered a masterpiece of alpine road construction.
Over 45 kilometers, the route leads through tunnels, galleries, and along mighty mountain landscapes.
Behind almost every bend, a new panorama unfolds.
For motorhome drivers, the Susten Pass is a real experience.
Drone flight at the Stein Glacier
One of the highlights of our trip awaited us at the Stein Glacier.
In the past, the glacier extended far into the valley. Today, it is clearly visible how much the ice has retreated.
Nevertheless, the landscape remains impressive.
With our drone, we were able to capture the massive ice fields, rock formations, and surrounding peaks from the air.
The aerial perspective impressively shows the dimensions of this glacier landscape.
For us, these shots are among the most beautiful images of the entire trip.
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Our Conclusion
Five Alpine passes, two impressive glaciers, and countless spectacular views made this motorhome trip an unforgettable experience.
Especially the Aletsch Glacier, the Devil's Bridge, the marmots on the Grimsel Pass, and the spectacular winding roads will remain in our memories for a long time.
Switzerland has once again shown us why it is one of our absolute favorite travel destinations.
🎥 You can find the complete video of this trip on our YouTube channel "Mit Wickie On Tour".
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