Klausen Pass
The long climb from Altdorf to 1,948 m
Overview
The Klausen links Uri with Glarus, and from Altdorf it's a long one — 24 km of climbing that mostly runs gradually along the edge of the valley, with beautiful views the whole way up. It's a typical Swiss mountain road: two directions but narrow, no middle line. There's no shade to speak of, so do it early. A fountain at the start and another on the left about 10 km up, as you leave the last houses, cover you for water.
Key info:
- Total distance: 24.1 km
- Area: Uri – Glarus (Altdorf–Linthal)
- Recommended for: Advanced
- Appeal: A long, gradual climb along the valley edge with beautiful views the whole way, a glacier and sweeping panoramas at the 1,948 m summit, and a gorgeous switchback descent into Glarus
- Water & fuel: A fountain at the start and another on the left about 10 km up, as you leave the last houses. At the top there's ice-cold water at the bus-stop bathroom, and a restaurant
- Time of year: June–October (closed/snowbound in winter)
- Road: Typical Swiss mountain road — two directions but narrow, without a middle line. No shade the whole way up; the descent has some tunnels, so bring lights
Ascent
At 24 km it's a big day out, but the gradient is kind — a gradual 6% average that climbs steadily along the valley edge rather than throwing walls at you, touching around 12% at its steepest. It's the length and the height gain that earn it an advanced billing, not the pitch. The views are the reason to be here: it opens out the whole way up, and the summit at 1,948 m gives you a glacier view and sweeping panoramas down both sides of the valley. There's ice-cold water at the bus-stop bathroom up top and a restaurant to sit at.
Stats:
- Level: Advanced
- Distance: 24.1 km
- Elevation gain: 1,521 m
- Maximum gradient: 12%
- Average gradient: 6.1%
- Estimated time (at level): 93 min
Descent
The drop toward Linthal isn't steep — averaging around 5% — but it's a proper switchback road, some 24 hairpins down the Glarus side, with a few tunnels along the way (bring lights). It's the sheer number of bends that makes it a technical descent rather than the gradient, and that's exactly what makes it a great place to learn switchbacks: you get bend after bend to practise on without a scary gradient pushing your speed up between them. The views stay gorgeous the whole way down, so it's one to enjoy — just pick your line and keep something in reserve for the corners.
Stats:
- Level: Advanced
- Hairpins: 24
- Maximum gradient: 9%
- Average gradient: 5.4%
Climb Profile
A gradual climb along the valley edge from Altdorf, a flatter stretch around the 10–12 km mark, then a steady 7–8% upper half to the 1,948 m col — 1,521 m of gain over 24.1 km.
