FLÜELA PASS, SWITZERLAND – DAVOS TO ST. MORITZ
The Flüela Pass 🇨🇭 connects Davos with the Lower Engadine Valley, climbing to 2,383 metres (7,818 ft) across a wide, open high-alpine landscape. Unlike more aggressive passes such as the Stelvio or Furka, Flüela delivers a calmer, flowing driving rhythm — expansive views, glacial lakes, and long sweeping curves that make it ideal for a scenic grand-touring experience through the Swiss Alps.
Set between Davos, Europe’s highest town and host of the annual World Economic Forum, and the Engadine village of Susch, this is a road that rewards smooth momentum rather than technical driving.
Scenic: ★★★★☆
Thrilling: ★★★☆☆
DRIVING THE FLÜELA PASS: WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
The Flüela Pass is often described as one of Switzerland’s most balanced alpine roads — engaging enough to keep drivers focused, yet relaxed enough to enjoy the scenery.
Before Top Gear shifted its attention to Romania’s Transfăgărășan, the presenters frequently ranked routes including Flüela among the world’s greatest driving roads — and the appeal still holds today.
What makes it special:
A quiet valley setting with very few settlements
Long flowing curves that build a natural rhythm
Minimal stop-and-go compared to busier Alpine passes
Open landscapes that feel expansive rather than dramatic
On the north side, the road winds through conifer forests before climbing above the tree line into a stark alpine plateau. Near the summit, the scenery becomes increasingly barren and dramatic — arguably the most scenic section of the entire drive.
THE SUMMIT & LAKE DAVOSERSEE
At the top of the pass, allow time to stop near Lake Davosersee, where wide mountain panoramas open across the plateau. Many drivers pause at the hospice, but continuing slightly further often rewards you with even better viewpoints across the high-alpine terrain — a quieter and more immersive experience. The southern descent toward Susch is narrower and less refined in places than the Davos side, likely because many visitors simply drive up to the summit and return the same way.
WHY THE FLÜELA PASS STAYS RELATIVELY QUIET
Despite its beauty, Flüela remains surprisingly peaceful — especially compared to Switzerland’s more famous passes. Since the opening of the Vereina railway tunnel in 1999, which carries vehicles by train between Klosters and the Engadine, through-traffic has largely shifted away from the pass.As a result, Flüela today feels more like a scenic destination road than a busy transit route — something driving enthusiasts appreciate.
DRIVING REPUTATION & RANKINGS
Global rental company AVIS once ranked the Flüela Pass among the top driving roads in the world, placing it fourth in a study that evaluated routes based on acceleration zones, braking rhythm, corner flow, and scenic quality. While the methodology raised some eyebrows — involving a track designer, a scientist, and even a roller-coaster designer — the core idea makes sense:
A great driving road balances speed, rhythm, and scenery without overwhelming the driver.
Flüela’s steady cadence and accessible character are exactly why it scores highly in that kind of analysis.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Flüela Pass has been used for centuries:
Bronze-age spear tips discovered near the route suggest early mountain crossings
By the 13th century, it had become an important trading link between the Engadine and Tyrol
Goods such as salt were transported across the mountains by mule caravans
In 1867, the modern road was constructed to allow stagecoaches to cross the pass
When the Vereina tunnel opened in 1999, the future of the pass itself briefly came into question. Today, however, it thrives as a scenic alpine route primarily enjoyed by travelers and driving enthusiasts.
BEST TIME TO DRIVE & ACCESS
The Flüela Pass is typically open from May to October, depending on snow and weather conditions. During winter, the Vereina car train provides a year-round alternative connection between the regions, helping keep traffic levels on the pass itself relatively low during summer.
WHAT MAKES FLÜELA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PASSES
If roads like the Italian Stelvio Pass, Furka Pass, or Grimsel Pass are about drama and technical challenge, Flüela is about balance:
Smooth, confidence-building curves
High-alpine scenery without extreme hairpins
A calm atmosphere that suits relaxed touring
It works beautifully as part of a larger Engadine or Graubünden loop — especially when combined with nearby routes like Albula, Julier, or Ofen Pass.
