Mountain pass opening times
When the high passes of the Alps, Norway, Romania and the western USA are usually open, how high they are, what to do when they are closed, and which of our routes cross them.
Europe
| Pass | Elevation | Usually open | Possible | If closed | Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Col de l’Iseran | 2,764 m (9,068 ft) | July–September | June–October | Go round via the Maurienne valley. | Col de l’Iseran and the Maurienne passes Lakeshores, glacier passes and lemon groves Glaciers, mountain cheese and high roads |
| Passo dello Stelvio | 2,757 m (9,045 ft) | June–October | May–November | Via the Reschen and Ofen passes, or the valley roads around it. | Stelvio and Bernina Val Venosta Waalwege, hairpins and terraced wine |
| Col de la Bonette | 2,715 m (8,907 ft) | June–October | May–November | Use the Col de Larche or the Tinée valley roads. | Izoard, Queyras and the Cime de la Bonette |
| Col du Galibier | 2,642 m (8,668 ft) | June–October | May–November | Go round via the Maurienne and Fréjus valleys. | Route des Grandes Alpes |
| Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße | 2,504 m (8,215 ft) | May–October | April–November | The Felbertauern tunnel is open all year. | Zillertal, Krimml and the Grossglockner Ice fields, hairpins and warm lakes |
| Timmelsjoch | 2,474 m (8,117 ft) | June–October | May–November | Use the Brenner route. | Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch Firn, spruce and driving bans Palms, Waale and pass roads |
| Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard | 2,469 m (8,100 ft) | June–September | May–October | The Great St Bernard tunnel is open all year. | Valais side valleys Ibex, castles and four-thousanders |
| Furkapass | 2,429 m (7,969 ft) | June–October | May–November | The Furka car-carrying train (Oberwald–Realp) runs all year. | Swiss Alpine passes from Lucerne Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass Glacier water, granite and oncoming traffic |
| Sustenpass | 2,224 m (7,297 ft) | June–October | May–November | Go round via Lucerne and the Gotthard road tunnel. | Gotthard and Susten Glacier water, granite and oncoming traffic |
| Grimselpass | 2,164 m (7,100 ft) | June–October | May–November | Go round via the Brünig and Furka car train. | Swiss Alpine passes from Lucerne Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass Glacier water, granite and oncoming traffic |
| Gotthardpass (Tremola) | 2,106 m (6,909 ft) | June–October | May–November | The Gotthard road tunnel is open all year. | Swiss Alpine passes from Lucerne Gotthard and Susten Glacier water, granite and oncoming traffic |
| Transfăgărășan | 2,042 m (6,699 ft) | July–October | June–November | Use the Olt valley road (DN7). | Carpathian hairpins, castles and fortified churches Transylvania |
| Sognefjellsvegen | 1,434 m (4,705 ft) | June–October | May–November | Go round via the E16 and the Lærdal tunnel. | Jotunheimen |
| Trollstigen | 852 m (2,795 ft) | June–October | May–November | Go round via the E136 through Åndalsnes and Dombås. | Norway’s fjords Spray, hairpins and glacier water |
USA
| Pass | Elevation | Usually open | Possible | If closed | Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Ridge Road | 3,713 m (12,182 ft) | June–September | May–October | There is no road across the park when it is closed; go round via I-70 or US-40. | Colorado Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain’s west side to Steamboat Springs Above the clouds and among the moose |
| Independence Pass (CO-82) | 3,687 m (12,096 ft) | June–October | May–November | Go round via I-70 and Glenwood Springs. | Top of the Rockies to Aspen Sand dunes, fourteeners and silver towns |
| Beartooth Highway | 3,337 m (10,948 ft) | June–September | May–October | Go round via Cody and the Chief Joseph Highway (WY-296). | Grand Teton, Yellowstone and the Beartooth Highway |
| Tioga Pass (CA-120) | 3,031 m (9,944 ft) | July–October | May–November | Cross the Sierra via CA-108 or further north. | Yosemite end to end Giant trees, granite walls and the highest pass |
| Crater Lake Rim Drive | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | July–October | June–November | The south entrance road to Rim Village usually stays open. | Volcanic Legacy Byway Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake Fire, ice and lava |
| Going-to-the-Sun Road (Logan Pass) | 2,026 m (6,647 ft) | July–September | June–October | US-2 goes round the south of the park all year. | Going-to-the-Sun Road, west to east Glacier light and grizzly country |
How we work: “Usually open” is the typical season; “possible” is the earliest and latest month in which a pass can be open in a good year. Opening and closing dates change every year with the snow: always check the official road status before you set off.
Alpine passes in a motorhome: gradients, closures and tunnels · Routes over mountain passes
FAQs
When do the mountain passes open?
Most high passes in our list are usually open from about June to October; 12 of the 14 European passes open in June or earlier. The highest roads often open only in July. Snow decides each year, so check the official road status before you go.
Can I drive mountain passes with a motorhome?
Most paved passes are open to motorhomes, but some have length, height or weight limits, narrow hairpins or tunnels. Our guide to Alpine passes by motorhome explains gradients, closures and tunnels.