What are the cycling conditions like in Furkapass?

🗻 Furka Pass – Opening & Closing (Seasonality) Furka Pass (2,429 m) sits high in the Swiss Alps between Realp (Uri) and Gletsch (Valais) and is a seasonal mountain road due to heavy winter snow. Typical open season for cycling: Late May – early November (many years it fully opens June and closes late October / early November ). Why it varies: Weather-driven snowmelt determines when the road is safe and clear — cold springs can delay opening until June, while early heavy snow in autumn can close it sooner. Outside this summer season, the road is closed for vehicles and cyclists for safety (snow & avalanche risk) — but car transport through the Furka Base Tunnel still runs year-round between Realp and Oberwald. 🌦️ General Weather Conditions by Season At high alpine altitude (≈2429 m), weather and conditions for cycling are quite different than in valleys: ❄️ Winter (Nov – Mar / Apr) Snow covers the pass road heavily; temperatures often well below freezing with strong winds and snowdrifts typical. Not suitable or open for cycling. 🌷 Late Spring (Apr – May / Jun) Snow starts melting but roads may still be closed well into May or early June due to lingering snow at high points. If open early season: chilly, cold winds, possible snow patches beside the road. ☀️ Summer (Jun – Aug) Best time for cycling Furka Pass. Roads are generally open by June. Temperatures: In midsummer at pass altitude often 10–15 °C in the day, sometimes cooler in early morning or late evening. Weather patterns: Days can be stable and clear, but afternoon showers/thunderstorms are common in the Alps , so start early and bring layers. 🍁 Autumn (Sep – Oct) Golden cycling season: Cooler, crisp air and often quieter roads. Pass remains open typically to late October , but sudden snow or cold fronts can bring temporary closure. Temperatures can fall sharply — especially mornings and evenings — and conditions may feel like early winter at the summit. 🚴♂️ Cyclist-Specific Notes At pass altitude, conditions can change quickly — even in summer a cold front can drop temperatures and bring showers or short snow at the highest parts. Strong sun exposure and wind are common; good layering, windshell, and hydration are essential. Traffic from cars and motorcycles rises in midsummer, especially weekends — early starts help avoid both weather and crowds. 🧠 Short Summary Open for cycling: typically June → late October . Closed: winter and early spring due to snow (road becomes impassable). Weather patterns: cool alpine temperatures even in summer, frequent afternoon showers in summer, and rapid weather changes ↑. Best time: warmest, most stable conditions mid-June through August; quieter rides and cooler days in September.

Back to Alpine Passes

Detailed cycling weather forecast for Furkapass. See wind direction, temperature and rain along the entire climb and descent.

✗ Closed Uri/Valais, CH

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Pass Information

2,429m

Elevation

11.0%

Max Gradient

29.0 km

Length

Current status: closed

Opening Period: Wintersperre

Current Conditions

Realp - Oberwald Vehicle transport Furka: www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch

Wed

11 Mar

ac_unit

Snow showers

06:46 — 18:25

-2° / -5°

Precipitation 2 mm

Humidity 92 %

🗻 Furka Pass – Opening & Closing (Seasonality)

Furka Pass (2,429 m) sits high in the Swiss Alps between Realp (Uri) and Gletsch (Valais) and is a seasonal mountain road due to heavy winter snow.
Typical open season for cycling:
Late May – early November
(many years it fully opens June and closes late October / early November).
Why it varies: Weather-driven snowmelt determines when the road is safe and clear — cold springs can delay opening until June, while early heavy snow in autumn can close it sooner.
Outside this summer season, the road is closed for vehicles and cyclists for safety (snow & avalanche risk) — but car transport through the Furka Base Tunnel still runs year-round between Realp and Oberwald.

🌦️ General Weather Conditions by Season

At high alpine altitude (≈2429 m), weather and conditions for cycling are quite different than in valleys:

❄️ Winter (Nov – Mar / Apr)

Snow covers the pass road heavily; temperatures often well below freezing with strong winds and snowdrifts typical.
Not suitable or open for cycling.

🌷 Late Spring (Apr – May / Jun)

Snow starts melting but roads may still be closed well into May or early June due to lingering snow at high points.
If open early season: chilly, cold winds, possible snow patches beside the road.

☀️ Summer (Jun – Aug)

Best time for cycling Furka Pass. Roads are generally open by June.
Temperatures: In midsummer at pass altitude often 10–15 °C in the day, sometimes cooler in early morning or late evening.
Weather patterns: Days can be stable and clear, but afternoon showers/thunderstorms are common in the Alps, so start early and bring layers.

🍁 Autumn (Sep – Oct)

Golden cycling season: Cooler, crisp air and often quieter roads.
Pass remains open typically to late October, but sudden snow or cold fronts can bring temporary closure.
Temperatures can fall sharply — especially mornings and evenings — and conditions may feel like early winter at the summit.

🚴‍♂️ Cyclist-Specific Notes

At pass altitude, conditions can change quickly — even in summer a cold front can drop temperatures and bring showers or short snow at the highest parts.
Strong sun exposure and wind are common; good layering, windshell, and hydration are essential.
Traffic from cars and motorcycles rises in midsummer, especially weekends — early starts help avoid both weather and crowds.

🧠 Short Summary

Open for cycling: typically June → late October.
Closed: winter and early spring due to snow (road becomes impassable).
Weather patterns: cool alpine temperatures even in summer, frequent afternoon showers in summer, and rapid weather changes ↑.
Best time: warmest, most stable conditions mid-June through August; quieter rides and cooler days in September.

Check weather on own route

Location

Weather Forecast

Next 7 Days

Wed

11 Mar

ac_unit

Snow showers

06:46 — 18:25

-2° / -5°

Precipitation 2 mm

Humidity 92 %

Thu

12 Mar

ac_unit

Snow

06:44 — 18:27

-1° / -6°

Precipitation 1 mm

Humidity 100 %

Fri

13 Mar

cloud

Overcast

06:42 — 18:28

-1° / -5°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 88 %

Sat

14 Mar

ac_unit

Snow showers

06:40 — 18:30

-4° / -9°

Precipitation 48 mm

Humidity 96 %

Sun

15 Mar

ac_unit

Snow showers

06:38 — 18:31

-4° / -10°

Precipitation 25 mm

Humidity 95 %

Mon

16 Mar

ac_unit

Snow showers

06:36 — 18:32

-3° / -6°

Precipitation 2 mm

Humidity 91 %

Tue

17 Mar

ac_unit

Snow

06:34 — 18:34

0° / -5°

Precipitation 0 mm

Humidity 82 %

Climate Overview

Month	Temp Day	Temp Night	Sunny Days	Sun Hours	Rain Days	Precipitation	Humidity	UV Index	Day Length
Jan	-6°C	-13°C	14	4.5h	21	154 mm	75 %	2	9h 4m
Feb	-4°C	-11°C	18	6.6h	12	46 mm	73 %	3	10h 20m
Mar	-2°C	-10°C	23	8.5h	17	74 mm	70 %	4	11h 56m
Apr	1°C	-5°C	24	10.3h	13	148 mm	68 %	5	13h 36m
May	3°C	-3°C	29	10.7h	21	116 mm	65 %	6	15h 2m
Jun	10°C	0°C	29	13.7h	12	45 mm	67 %	7	15h 45m
Jul	7°C	0°C	30	12.4h	21	126 mm	66 %	8	15h 23m
Aug	10°C	1°C	30	11.7h	11	116 mm	68 %	7	14h 7m
Sep	9°C	0°C	25	9.6h	18	190 mm	70 %	5	12h 31m
Oct	3°C	-5°C	21	7.6h	13	119 mm	72 %	4	10h 52m
Nov	-3°C	-9°C	19	5.9h	17	89 mm	76 %	2	9h 24m
Dec	-3°C	-10°C	17	5.2h	13	35 mm	77 %	2	8h 38m