- Ascent
- 893 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 12.2 km
- max. gradient
- 10 %
- ø gradient
- 7.3 %
The Furkapass from Realp is an HC climb of 12.2 km with 893 m of elevation gain at an average of 7.3 %, peaking at 10 %. The road climbs out of the Urseren valley to 2,436 m and drops on the far side via Gletsch to Oberwald. A steady first half, a short breather, then one more steep section before the pass.
The Furkapass links the Urseren valley in Uri with the Goms in Valais. From Realp it is 12.2 kilometres and 893 metres of climbing up to 2,436 metres. The start in Realp is already high, so the climb is fairly short for such a high pass. The gradient stays steady, with just one short breather.
The Furkapass at a glance
The key figures from Realp: category HC, 12.2 km, 893 m of climbing, 7.3 % on average and 10 % at its steepest. The road leaves Realp and climbs to the pass at 2,436 m. On the far side it drops via Gletsch to Oberwald in the Goms. In our list the Furka belongs to the Western Alps region.
The climb from Realp
The first six kilometres average close to 8 % and allow hardly any let up. Values between 7 and 9 % follow one another without a break. Then come two clearly easier kilometres at around 4 to 5 %. This is the only real breather on the whole climb.
After it the road picks up again: three kilometres at 7.5 to 9 % lead up towards the pass. Only the last kilometre is gentler, at just under 5 %. So the pass arrives with a short roll rather than a final ramp. Anyone who used the breather in the middle well will manage the second steep block without trouble.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
At 2,436 m the Furka has one of the highest finishing points in the list, only 14 climbs end higher. With 893 m of climbing and 12.2 km it is one of the shorter climbs in the list, 79 have more elevation gain. On gradient it is in the upper middle at 7.3 %, 41 climbs are steeper. The Nufenenpass ends at almost the same height, 2,478 m, and on the way down to Oberwald you pass Gletsch, where the Grimselpass comes down.
Practical tips
The Furka needs no extreme gearing, a compact chainset is enough for the 10 % peak. Use the two easier kilometres in the middle to eat and drink. At 2,436 m it is cold even in summer, so warm layers for the descent are essential. Carry on west and you drop via Gletsch to Oberwald, the way back to Realp is the same road.
