Nufenen Pass

Nufenen Pass (Italian: Passo della Novena, German: Nufenenpass) (el. 2478 m.) is the highest mountain pass with a paved road within Switzerland. It lies between the summits of Pizzo Gallina (north) and the Nufenenstock (south).

Nufenen Pass
View from the pass towards the Bernese Alps with the Finsteraarhorn (left) and Lauteraarhorn (right)
Elevation2,478 m (8,130 ft)[1]
Traversed byRoad
LocationTicino/Valais, Switzerland
RangeAlps
Coordinates46°28′41″N 08°23′35″E
Nufenen Pass
Location in Switzerland

The pass road from Ulrichen in canton of Valais leads to the Bedretto valley in the canton of Ticino, linking Brig to Airolo. It is not the lowest pass between the two valleys, as it is located one kilometre north of an unnamed slightly lower pass at 2,440 metres (vs 2478 m.), which is traversed by a trail.

The road is of relatively recent construction, having been opened to motor vehicle traffic only since September 1969.[2]

The source of the Ticino River lies east of the top of the pass. Towards the north are views of the Bernese Alps, including the Finsteraarhorn while there is a view over the Gries Glacier to the south.

View of Griesgletscher from the pass
Another view from the pass
Nufenen Pass

See also

Bibliography
  • Nicola Pfund, Sui passi in bicicletta - Swiss Alpine passes by bicycle, Fontana Edizioni, 2012, p. 54-61. ISBN 978-88-8191-281-0

Sources and further reading
  1. Retrieved from the Swisstopo topographic maps
  2. "News and Views: new Swiss Pass". Autocar. Vol. 131 (nbr 3834). 14 August 1969. p. 50.


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