Forever famous as the pass featured on the James Bond movie 'Goldfinger', this high mountain pass in Swiss alpine region of Obergoms is one of the highlights of our Swiss trips.
This mostly paved road (there are a few stretches of cobblestone left) offers amaing views of glaciers, craggy mountaintops, and scenic forested areas.
The road is a dream to drive - the countless hairpin bends and switchbacks make this one not to forget - and the road surface is perfect, making it a true joy and pleasure.
From Obergom, the road cuts dramatically through the alpine rock with several tight corners and switchbacks, before reaching the village of Gletsch. From here, the fun really starts. The pass starts here, with two tight switchbacks and then 5-6km straight road, cut out of the rock face.
Then we start to climb. Several sets of hairpin bends await you. Halfway up, you will reach the Belvedere Hotel. Apart from being a 'Bond' highlight, it's also where you can stop to check out the Rhone Glacier.
Every year they carve a 100m tunnel through the glacier, which you can walk through. Best enjoyed earlier in June/July, before the summer melts much of the glacial ice.
Back on the road, the final ascent to the top of the Furka Pass takes you through a few more good switchbacks, before reaching a small lake at the top. This is an excellent photo opportunity. and there is a place to stop here to enjoy the view.
Heading down the pass on the other side, the road gets a bit tight in places, though the scenery gets better and better. A final set of tight switchbacks there is a long straight of several miles, running parallel with the railway line. This is where James Bond shredded Tilly's tyres...
Check out our road trips for trips to the Furka Pass!
Sights from 'Goldfinger'
If you are a Bond fan, this is the road for you. There are plenty of landmarks that you may recognize from the famous chase scene between Goldfinger in his Rolls Royce and James Bond in the might DB5.
From the west (and the Grimsel Pass), look out for a rock with "Kil 47" on the right hand side of the pass. Sean Connery stood on this spot when Tilly is trying to shoot Goldfinger.
The now closed Hotel Belvedere, right next to the Rhone Glacier, was the accomodation for Sean Connery during the shooting.
Much of the road and setting has not changed, and so this pass is sure to send you on a trip down memory lane.
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