Kunkels Pass: Tunnels, Drop-offs, and Very Narrow
Switzerland, europe
N/A
1,363 m
hard
Year-round
# Kunkelspass: Switzerland's Most Thrilling Mountain Drive
Ready for an adrenaline rush? Welcome to Kunkelspass, a jaw-dropping alpine pass sitting at 1,363m (4,471ft) in Switzerland's Graubünden canton. This isn't your typical mountain road—it's a white-knuckle adventure carved straight into the mountainside.
The journey starts in the village of Vättis (St. Gallen canton) and winds its way to Tamins in Graubünden via the Riedstrasse. Fair warning: you'll need permission from the City of Tamins to drive through with any motorized vehicle, and there's a toll required. Also, the road's only 2.3m wide, so leave the massive RV at home.
What makes this route absolutely legendary? Tunnels with actual windows built into the rock face. Seriously. As you wind through the mountain, you'll catch glimpses of stunning Glarus Alps scenery through strategically carved openings—it's like nature's own drive-in theater. And those 300m drop-offs? They're real, and they're definitely noticeable on those hairpin turns.
Built during World War I, this narrow strip of asphalt (with some gravel sections mixed in) climbs steeply at gradients up to 18.5%. The twisting, turning road demands respect and focus, but the payoff is unforgettable. Once you reach the summit, grab a well-deserved meal or drink at the bar and restaurant while you process what you just drove.
This is bucket-list territory for serious road warriors.
Where is it?
Kunkels Pass: Tunnels, Drop-offs, and Very Narrow is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.7246, 8.1456
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 1,363 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.7246, 8.1456
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