Is the Road to Kunkels Pass Paved?
Switzerland, europe
N/A
1,363 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Kunkelspass! This high-altitude beauty sits at 1,363m (4,471ft) in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Think twisty, narrow roads and a whole lotta Swiss charm.
You'll find it in eastern Switzerland, mostly paved with a few gravel sections to keep things interesting. It's called Riedstrasse, and you'll need to snag a permit from the City of Tamins if you're planning on driving.
This epic cliff road connects Vättis (in St. Gallen) with Tamins (in Graubünden). Picture this: a narrow road carved right into the rock face, snaking its way through tunnels with incredible window views. Seriously, it's one hairpin turn after another, but with 300m drop-offs it's not for the faint of heart.
Nestled in the Glarus Alps, the tunnels have windows with killer views. And guess what? At the top, there's a bar and restaurant waiting for you. Built during WWI, this narrow road (tunnel width of just 2.3m) isn't ideal for big RVs. Plus, get ready for some seriously steep sections, hitting up to 18.5% in gradient. So, is it worth it? Absolutely! Just take it slow and enjoy the ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,363 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
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hardWhere is Seeberg Saddle?
🇦🇹 Austria
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moderateDo you need a 4x4 to get to Haifoss?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, picture this: you're in Iceland's Southern Region, itching for adventure near the Hekla volcano. You wanna see Háifoss, a ridiculously tall 122-meter waterfall fed by the Fossá river. Is it worth the drive? YES! But here's the deal: the road, Route 332, is 7.5km (4.66 miles) of pure Icelandic "massage." Starting from the paved Þjórsárdalsvegur road, it’s unpaved the whole way, and *bumpy* is an understatement. Think potholes and rocks – you'll be plotting your course to avoid car-armageddon. Seriously, that "No small cars" sign isn't messing around. A 4x4 with high clearance is definitely your best bet. The reward? The road leads to a parking lot south of the falls, followed by a quick hike to the viewpoint. Boom! You're smack-dab in the Þjórsárdalur valley, surrounded by the dramatic Icelandic Highlands. Photo ops galore, trust me. Just be careful near the cliff edges – it's a long way down. Fun fact: Back in the day, Háifoss was considered Iceland's tallest waterfall. Now, it's the *fifth* tallest – Morsarfoss, Glymur, Stigafoss, and Hengifoss beat it out. But hey, 122 meters is still nothing to sneeze at, and those views are unforgettable. Get ready for an epic drive!
moderateWhen was Flexen Pass in Austria built?
🇦🇹 Austria
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