When I first saw the beauty of the mountains in Switzerland, I was totally speechless. Everybody knows about the beauty of Switzerland, but with a motorcycle, you experience a lot of mind-blowing green mountains. The Klausenpass is an incredible scenic drive in the central Swiss Alps, connecting Altdorf in the canton of Uri with Linthal in the canton of Glarus.
With your motorcycle, it takes almost one hour to reach Klausenpass from Zurich. It is the first real alpine pass in Switzerland. The height of this mountain is around 1948 meters above sea level. Over 46 km and 136 curves are in this road. The pass spoils us with an incredible view.
Driving the Klausenpass
With your motorcycle, start with basic safety riding gear. This road is always busy with motorcycles, cars, bicycles, and also cows, so be careful when riding on this road. When you pass every curve, you feel the beauty of nature. Be careful of cows because they can come onto the road anytime, causing an accident. It is thrilling driving the Klausenpass.
Be careful on the pass roads, especially now when the pass roads are opening again after the winter break. Most of the pass roads will open around mid-June, but be aware that there is always the possibility of snow even in June or July. On this road, the top speed is 60 km/h.
History of Klausenpass
Unlike most other alpine passes, the Klausen Pass was not used as a trading route. It was originally a cattle track during Roman or Medieval times.
Until 1625, the maintenance of the pass was shared between the cantons of Uri and Glarus and then given to a private individual. A chapel was built in 1717 and dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra.
Between 1870 and 1899, the road was extended, and the 1717-built chapel was in the way. Only in 1938 was it replaced by the current Bruder-Klaus-Kapelle. Later in 1893, the Swiss army gained interest in the alpine pass for strategic reasons and extended the road to what we find there today.
In 1900, the first horse-drawn post coach went over the pass, bringing the first tourists. Twenty-two years later, the alpine bus route was opened. Motorized vehicles were banned for a year between 1916 and 1917.
With the bus route in 1922 came the annual “KLAUSEN RENNEN,” a 21.5-kilometer pre-war hill climb. The first-ever car race organized in Switzerland! This legendary international race over the Klausen Pass was created a year before the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Until 1934, the canton of Uri generated good income from fees for the race. Thousands of spectators used to line the pass road to watch this spectacular road race.
Since 1993, a vintage event has been run every 4-5 years with hundreds of old-timer cars and motorbikes taking part. In 2006, the race was labeled the craziest mountain motor race in Europe with over 40,000 spectators and was honored in Stoneleigh Park with the prestigious “Speed Event of the Year” award.
When you ride the Klausenpass, you always notice the houses and think how beautiful they are. I always see the beauty of nature and think about how cool this place is. When you go with your motorcycle, you always feel this.