Switzerland • Central Switzerland
Susten Pass Scenic Drive (2026): Live Status, Route & Practical Tips
The Susten Pass links Innertkirchen in Canton Bern with Wassen in Canton Uri and climbs to 2,224 m. Use this page for the route logic, live-status context and practical planning notes - not a made-up fixed stop count.
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Last updated: April 24, 2026
Visitor Snapshot
Use this quick summary to decide whether the Susten fits your actual route day.
- Route
- Innertkirchen ↔ Wassen
- Summit
- 2,224 m
- Best bases
- Meiringen, Innertkirchen, Andermatt
Checked April 24, 2026
MySwitzerland confirms that the Susten links Wassen and Innertkirchen. Alpen-paesse and the TCS pass portal still showed winter closure on April 24, 2026, so this page treats Susten as a live-status road rather than a fixed-date drive.
Quick Answer
- ✓The Susten is a free cantonal pass road; there is no separate entry fee for the pass itself.
- ✓It connects Innertkirchen and Wassen and reaches 2,224 m.
- ✓On April 24, 2026, the official live portals still showed winter closure.
- ✓Late June through September is the safest planning window if you want a through-drive without shoulder-season uncertainty.
- ✓Only combine Susten with Furka or Grimsel once all of them are confirmed open that same day.
What makes Susten worth doing separately
Switzerland Tourism describes the Susten as the link between the Reuss Valley at the foot of the Gotthard and the Hasli Valley in the Bernese Oberland, joining Wassen in Uri with Innertkirchen in Bern. It is also one of the first Alpine pass roads purpose-built for motor traffic, which is why the engineering and tunnel sequence still feel distinctive today.
The reason to drive Susten is the road itself: the climb through valleys and tunnels, the high-mountain scenery near the summit, and the fact that it connects cleanly into other major Swiss road-trip hubs. It is not a route that needs inflated stop lists to justify itself.
If you are choosing between Susten and a long overstuffed loop, Susten works best as a focused pass drive with enough time for weather, photos and a flexible turnaround plan.
Best direction: west to east
West to east is a very practical direction if you are starting in the Bernese Oberland, Meiringen or Innertkirchen and want to finish near Andermatt or the Gotthard corridor. East to west is equally reasonable if Andermatt is your base and you want the pass as a day out.
The real planning question is not scenic purity. It is what you want to connect on either side. The west side links naturally with Grimsel planning. The east side links naturally with Gotthard, Oberalp and the Uri network.
- Start from the side that makes your overnight logistics simplest.
- Keep the day flexible enough to turn back or reroute if the weather closes in.
- If you are attempting a multi-pass day, confirm the status of every pass separately before leaving.
Key stops on the Susten Pass drive
Keep the stops realistic and route-based. The best Susten day normally includes a valley fuel or coffee stop, one or two scenic pauses on the climb, and the summit itself.
- Innertkirchen or Wassen: fuel, snacks and a final weather check before the climb.
- Gadmen or the Meien Valley sections: good places for short scenic pauses without inventing a major detour.
- Susten summit area: the essential pass-top stop.
- Steingletscher area: worthwhile only if current parking and trail conditions look straightforward on your day.
If the weather is poor, keep it simple and treat Susten as a pure drive rather than forcing extra stops that will not add much in cloud or rain.
Practical tips: fuel, parking, and weather
The Susten Pass itself is a public road with no separate entry charge. If you use Swiss motorways on the approach, the normal Swiss motorway vignette rules apply. The official vignette price is CHF 40.
Fuel before you climb. Treat Innertkirchen, Wassen or Andermatt as your service points rather than assuming anything useful exists on the pass road itself.
On April 24, 2026, the live portals still showed winter closure. In other words, this is not a pass you should promise yourself too early in spring.
Even after reopening, high-mountain weather can erase the value of the drive for a few hours at a time. If the forecast is poor, wait, shorten the day or switch to a lower route rather than pushing through just because the pass is technically open.
Best bases for the Susten Pass drive
Andermatt is the strongest base. It sits 20 minutes east of the Wassen exit and gives you access to four major passes: Susten, Furka, Gotthard, and Oberalp. Accommodation ranges from traditional mountain inns to the upscale Chedi hotel. Book early in summer.
Meiringen, on the west approach, is a quieter and less expensive option. It is a genuine Swiss working town — no tourist inflation, good parking, and a calm atmosphere after a long driving day.
Interlaken (60 minutes west) works if you are already based in the Bernese Oberland and treating Susten as a day trip. The drive from Interlaken to Innertkirchen through Meiringen is itself a pleasant valley road.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Susten Pass free to drive?
Yes. The pass road itself has no separate entry fee. If you used Swiss motorways to reach it, the normal motorway vignette rules still apply.
When does the Susten Pass open each year?
There is no fixed annual opening day. Winter closure often runs from around November into June, and on April 24, 2026 the official pass portals still showed it closed.
Can I combine Susten with Furka and Grimsel in one day?
Yes, but only if all three passes are confirmed open and the weather is stable. Do not assume a classic loop works just because one of the roads has reopened.
Where does the Susten Pass connect?
It links Innertkirchen in Canton Bern with Wassen in Canton Uri.
Is the Susten suitable for nervous drivers?
It is a paved, well-engineered high pass, but it is still a mountain road with tunnels, weather changes and exposure. If you dislike those conditions, pick a clear-weather day or skip it.
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