Nufenen Pass Explained

Nufenen Pass
Elevation M:2478
Elevation Ref:[1]
Traversed:Road
Map:Switzerland#Canton of Ticino#Canton of Valais
Label:Nufenen Pass
Coords:46.4781°N 8.3931°W
Location:Ticino/Valais, Switzerland
Range:Alps

Nufenen Pass (Italian: Passo della Novena, German: Nufenenpass) is the second highest mountain pass with a paved road in Switzerland, with an elevation of 2,478 metres. It lies between the summits of Pizzo Gallina (north) and the Nufenenstock (south). The road opened to motor vehicle traffic in September 1969.[2]

Route

The pass road from Ulrichen in the canton of Valais leads to the Bedretto valley in the canton of Ticino, linking Brig to Airolo. It is not the lowest pass between the two valleys, as there is another unnamed pass one kilometre to the south, elevation 2,440 metres, which is traversed by a trail.

The source of the river Ticino lies east of the top of the pass. Towards the north are views of the Bernese Alps, including the Finsteraarhorn while there is a view over the Gries Glacier to the south.

See also

Bibliography

Sources and further reading

Notes and References

  1. Retrieved from the Swisstopo topographic maps
  2. Unsigned. News and Views: new Swiss Pass. . 131 (nbr 3834). 50 . 14 August 1969.