Lepontine Alps
Encyclopedia
The Lepontine Alps are a mountain range
in the central part of the Alps
. They are located in Switzerland
(Valais
, Ticino
, Uri
and Graubünden
) and Italy
(Piedmont
and Lombardy
).On the north the upper Rhône
valley separate them from the Bernese Alps
and the Furka Pass
and the upper Reuss
valley separates them from the Urner Alps
; on the west the Simplon Pass
separates them from the Pennine Alps
; on the north-east the Oberalp Pass
and the Vorderrhein valley separate them from the Glarus Alps
; on the east the Splügen Pass
separates them from the Central Eastern Alps
(Oberhalbstein Range
).
The Lepontine Alps are drained by the rivers Rhône
in the west, Reuss
in the north, Rhine (Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein) in the east and Ticino
and Toce
in the south.
The Simplon rail tunnel
, which leads from Brig
to Domodossola
, the St Gotthard rail and highway tunnels (from Andermatt
to Airolo
) and the San Bernardino Tunnel
are important transport arteries.
The eastern portion of the Lepontine Alps, from the St Gotthard Pass
to the Splügen Pass
, is sometimes named the Adula Alps.
or the Rhine, the main ridge of the Lepontine Alps describes a somewhat irregular curve, convex to the north, from the Simplon Pass
to the Splugen Pass
. With the single exception of the Monte Leone
, overlooking the pass of the Simplon, the summits of this portion of the chain are much inferior in height to those of the neighbouring chains; but two peaks of the Adula group, culminating at the Rheinwaldhorn
, exceed 11000 feet (3,352.8 m) in height.
The extensive region lying south of the main ridge is occupied by mountain ranges whose summits sometimes rival in height those of the dividing ridge, and which are cut through by deep valleys, three of which converge in the basins of Lake Maggiore
and Lake Como
, the deepest of all the lakes on the south side of the Alps. The most important of these valleys is the Val Leventina, or the Upper valley of the Ticino. This has been known from a remote antiquity because it leads to the Pass of St. Gotthard, one of the easiest lines of communication between northern and southern Europe. The designation Lepontine Alps, derived from the Latin name of the Val Leventina, has long been somewhat vaguely applied to the Alpine ranges that enclose it, before being used for the whole range.
of the Lepontine Alps are:
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
in the central part of the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
. They are located in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
(Valais
Valais
The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...
, Ticino
Ticino
Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language...
, Uri
Canton of Uri
Uri is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and a founding member of the Swiss Confederation. It is located in Central Switzerland. The canton's territory covers the valley of the Reuss River between Lake Lucerne and the St. Gotthard Pass. German is the primary language spoken in Uri...
and Graubünden
Graubünden
Graubünden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. The canton shares borders with the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen and international borders with Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein...
) and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
(Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
and Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
).On the north the upper Rhône
Rhône River
The Rhone is one of the major rivers of Europe, rising in Switzerland and running from there through southeastern France. At Arles, near its mouth on the Mediterranean Sea, the river divides into two branches, known as the Great Rhone and the Little Rhone...
valley separate them from the Bernese Alps
Bernese Alps
The Bernese Alps are a group of mountain ranges in the western part of the Alps, in Switzerland. Although the name suggests that they are located in the Bernese Oberland region of the canton of Bern, portions of the Bernese Alps are in the adjacent cantons of Valais, Lucerne, Obwalden, Fribourg and...
and the Furka Pass
Furka Pass
Furka Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting Gletsch, Valais with Realp, Uri. The Furka-Oberalp-Bahn line through the Furka Tunnel bypasses the pass...
and the upper Reuss
Reuss River
The Reuss is a river in Switzerland. With a length of and a drainage basin of , it is the fourth largest river in Switzerland...
valley separates them from the Urner Alps
Urner Alps
The Urner Alps are a mountain range in central Switzerland in the western part of the Alps. They extend into the cantons of Obwalden, Valais, Lucerne, Bern, Uri and Nidwalden and are bordered by the Bernese Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south and the Glarus Alps to the east.The Urner...
; on the west the Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in Piedmont . The pass itself and the villages on each side of it, such as Gondo, are in Switzerland...
separates them from the Pennine Alps
Pennine Alps
The Pennine Alps are a mountain range in the western part of the Alps. They are located in Switzerland and Italy...
; on the north-east the Oberalp Pass
Oberalp Pass
Oberalp Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting the cantons of Graubünden and Uri between Disentis and Andermatt.-Winter closure:...
and the Vorderrhein valley separate them from the Glarus Alps
Glarus Alps
The Glarus Alps are a mountain range in central Switzerland. They extend from the Oberalp Pass to the Klausen Pass, and are bordered by the Urner Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south and the Appenzell Alps to the northeast...
; on the east the Splügen Pass
Splügen Pass
The Splügen Pass is a high mountain pass which marks the boundary between the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps....
separates them from the Central Eastern Alps
Central Eastern Alps
The Central Eastern Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps with its highest peaks, located between the Northern Limestone Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps, from which they differ in geological composition....
(Oberhalbstein Range
Oberhalbstein Range
The Oberhalbstein Range is a mountain range in the Alps of eastern Switzerland and northern Italy. It is considered to be part of the Central Eastern Alps...
).
The Lepontine Alps are drained by the rivers Rhône
Rhône River
The Rhone is one of the major rivers of Europe, rising in Switzerland and running from there through southeastern France. At Arles, near its mouth on the Mediterranean Sea, the river divides into two branches, known as the Great Rhone and the Little Rhone...
in the west, Reuss
Reuss River
The Reuss is a river in Switzerland. With a length of and a drainage basin of , it is the fourth largest river in Switzerland...
in the north, Rhine (Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein) in the east and Ticino
Ticino River
The river Ticino is a left-bank tributary of the Po River. It has given its name to the Swiss canton through which its upper portion flows.-The course:...
and Toce
Toce
The Toce is a river in Piedmont, Italy, which stretches the length of the Val d'Ossola from the Swiss border to Lake Maggiore into which it debouches near Fondotoce in the Commune of Verbania. The river is c. 76 kilometres in length and is formed in the upper Val Formazza by the confluence of a...
in the south.
The Simplon rail tunnel
Simplon Tunnel
The Simplon Tunnel is an Alpine railway tunnel that connects the Swiss town of Brig with Domodossola in Italy, though its relatively straight trajectory does not run under Simplon Pass itself. It actually consists of two single-track tunnels built nearly 20 years apart...
, which leads from Brig
Brig, Switzerland
Brig, officially Brig-Glis is a municipality in the district of Brig in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.The current municipality was formed in 1972 through the merger of Brig , Brigerbad and Glis.-History:...
to Domodossola
Domodossola
Domodossola is a city and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy...
, the St Gotthard rail and highway tunnels (from Andermatt
Andermatt
Andermatt is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.With Realp and Hospental, it is located in the Urseren valley, south of Altdorf.-Geography:...
to Airolo
Airolo
Airolo is a municipality in the district of Leventina in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.-History:In the settlement of Madrano, Roman tombs from the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD were found. They belonged to a Vicus, whose inhabitants probably collected crystal, which was processed in Locarno into...
) and the San Bernardino Tunnel
San Bernardino (road tunnel)
The San Bernardino road tunnel is a road tunnel on the A13 motorway/expressway in southeastern Switzerland, completed in 1967 and replacing the San Bernardino Pass road. It begins near the town of San Bernardino, Graubünden and ends north in Hinterrhein....
are important transport arteries.
The eastern portion of the Lepontine Alps, from the St Gotthard Pass
St. Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass or St. Gotthard Pass is a high mountain pass in Switzerland between Airolo in the canton of Ticino, and Göschenen in the canton of Uri, connecting the northern German-speaking part of Switzerland with the Italian-speaking part, along the route onwards to Milan.Though the pass...
to the Splügen Pass
Splügen Pass
The Splügen Pass is a high mountain pass which marks the boundary between the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps....
, is sometimes named the Adula Alps.
Geography
Following the line marking the division of the waters that flow into the Po from those that feed the RhoneRhône
Rhone can refer to:* Rhone, one of the major rivers of Europe, running through Switzerland and France* Rhône Glacier, the source of the Rhone River and one of the primary contributors to Lake Geneva in the far eastern end of the canton of Valais in Switzerland...
or the Rhine, the main ridge of the Lepontine Alps describes a somewhat irregular curve, convex to the north, from the Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in Piedmont . The pass itself and the villages on each side of it, such as Gondo, are in Switzerland...
to the Splugen Pass
Splügen Pass
The Splügen Pass is a high mountain pass which marks the boundary between the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps....
. With the single exception of the Monte Leone
Monte Leone
Monte Leone is the highest mountain of the Lepontine Alps and is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The mountain is located on the extreme west of the Lepontine Alps, a few kilometres east of Simplon Pass.-External links:*...
, overlooking the pass of the Simplon, the summits of this portion of the chain are much inferior in height to those of the neighbouring chains; but two peaks of the Adula group, culminating at the Rheinwaldhorn
Rheinwaldhorn
The Rheinwaldhorn is the highest point in the Swiss canton of Ticino at 3402m. It lies on the border between the cantons of Graubünden and Ticino, in the Adula massif, part of the St. Gotthard massif of the Lepontine Alps in southern Switzerland....
, exceed 11000 feet (3,352.8 m) in height.
The extensive region lying south of the main ridge is occupied by mountain ranges whose summits sometimes rival in height those of the dividing ridge, and which are cut through by deep valleys, three of which converge in the basins of Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps. It is the second largest of Italy and largest of southern Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is the most westerly of the three great prealpine lakes of Italy, it extends for about 70 km between Locarno and Arona.The climate is mild...
and Lake Como
Lake Como
Lake Como is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of 146 km², making it the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore...
, the deepest of all the lakes on the south side of the Alps. The most important of these valleys is the Val Leventina, or the Upper valley of the Ticino. This has been known from a remote antiquity because it leads to the Pass of St. Gotthard, one of the easiest lines of communication between northern and southern Europe. The designation Lepontine Alps, derived from the Latin name of the Val Leventina, has long been somewhat vaguely applied to the Alpine ranges that enclose it, before being used for the whole range.
List of peaks
The chief peaks of the Lepontine Alps are:| Name | Elevation | |
|---|---|---|
| m | ft | |
| Monte Leone Monte Leone Monte Leone is the highest mountain of the Lepontine Alps and is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The mountain is located on the extreme west of the Lepontine Alps, a few kilometres east of Simplon Pass.-External links:*... | 3,561 | 11,684 |
| Rheinwaldhorn Rheinwaldhorn The Rheinwaldhorn is the highest point in the Swiss canton of Ticino at 3402m. It lies on the border between the cantons of Graubünden and Ticino, in the Adula massif, part of the St. Gotthard massif of the Lepontine Alps in southern Switzerland.... | 3,402 | 11,149 |
| Güferhorn Güferhorn The Güferhorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located between the valleys of Vals and Hinterrhein in Graubünden. At 3,379 metres above sea level it is the highest summit of the Lepontine Alps lying east of the Rheinwaldhorn. The northern side of the massif is covered by the Güfergletscher, a 2... | 3,393 | 11,132 |
| Blinnenhorn Blinnenhorn The Blinnenhorn or Corno Cieco is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between Italy and Switzerland.... | 3,384 | 11,103 |
| Basodino Basodino The Basòdino is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps on the border between Italy and Switzerland. It is the second highest peak in the canton of Ticino.... | 3,276 | 10,749 |
| Pizzo Tambò Pizzo Tambò Pizzo Tambo is a mountain located at the eastern extremity of the Lepontine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border. The mountain lies west of the Splügen Pass which divides the Western Alps from the Eastern Alps.... | 3,276 | 10,749 |
| Helsenhorn | 3,274 | 10,742 |
| Wasenhorn Wasenhorn Wasenhorn is a mountain in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 3,255 | 10,680 |
| Ofenhorn Ofenhorn Ofenhorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border.-External links:*... | 3,242 | 10,637 |
| Scherbadung Scherbadung Scherbadung is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border. Its Italian name has been used to name the mineral Cervandonite which has only been found there.-External links:*... | 3,213 | 10,542 |
| Piz Medel Piz Medel Piz Medel is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden. At 3,210 metres above sea level it is the highest summit on the chain between Lukmanier Pass and Crap la Crusch... | 3,203 | 10,509 |
| Scopi Scopi The Scopi is a 3,190 metres high mountain in the Lepontine Alps, overlooking Lukmanier Pass on the border between the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden.... | 3,200 | 10,499 |
| Pizzo Rotondo Pizzo Rotondo Pizzo Rotondo is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps. At 3,190 metres above sea level, it is the highest mountain lying on the border between the cantons of Ticino and Valais, as well as the highest summit of the Lepontine Alps lying between Nufenen Pass and Lukmanier Pass.The massif of Piz Rotondo... | 3,197 | 10,489 |
| Hohsandhorn Hohsandhorn Hohsandhorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border.-External links:*... | 3,182 | 10,440 |
| Piz Terri Piz Terri Piz Terri is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden. At 3,149 metres above sea level it is the highest summit lying on the chain between Greina and Soreda Pass. Piz Terri overlooks Lake Luzzone in Val Blenio on its west side, Val Sumvitg... | 3,151 | 10,331 |
| Piz Aul Piz Aul The Piz Aul is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 3,124 | 10,250 |
| Pizzo Pesciora Pizzo Pesciora Pizzo Pesciora is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Valais and Ticino. It lies north of Bedretto, on the ridge between the Witenwasserenstock and Pizzo Rotondo.-External links:*... | 3,120 | 10,247 |
| Witenwasserenstock Witenwasserenstock The Witenwasserenstock is a peak between the Swiss cantons of Valais and Uri, located in the Lepontine Alps. Close to the summit lies the tripoint border between the cantons of Valais, Uri and Ticino and the triple watershed of the Rhine, Po and Rhône basins.-Geography and hydrography:The... | 3,084 | 10,119 |
| Campo Tencia Campo Tencia Pizzo Campo Tencia is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, which lies in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. Pizzo Campo Tencia is the highest peak located entirely inside the canton.... | 3,075 | 10,089 |
| Leckihorn Leckihorn The Leckihorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Valais and Uri. Its summit is also named Gross Leckihorn to distinguish it from a lower summit named Chli Leckihorn.... | 3,069 | 10,069 |
| Bruschghorn Bruschghorn The Bruschghorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 3,054 | 10,020 |
| Alperschällihorn Alperschällihorn The Alperschällihorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 3,045 | 9,991 |
| Chilchalphorn Chilchalphorn Chilchalphorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 3,040 | 9,974 |
| Piz Blas Piz Blas Piz Blas is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Graubünden and Ticino. At 3,019 metres above sea level, Piz Blas is the highest mountain of Val Cadlimo , a valley drained by the Reno da Medel, a tributary of the Rhine... | 3,023 | 9,918 |
| Monte Giove | 3,010 | 9,876 |
| Pizzo Centrale Pizzo Centrale Pizzo Centrale is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Uri and Ticino. At 2,999 metres above sea level, it is the highest summit overlooking Gotthard Pass from the east. Lago della Sella is located on its southern side... | 3,003 | 9,853 |
| Pizzas d'Anarosa Pizzas d'Anarosa The Pizzas d'Anarosa is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 3,002 | 9,850 |
| Piz Beverin Piz Beverin Piz Beverin is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps of Switzerland.-External links:*... | 2,998 | 9,843 |
| Weisshorn (Splugen) | 2,992 | 9,817 |
| Pizzo Lucendro Pizzo Lucendro Pizzo Lucendro is a 2,963 metres high mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located on the border between the cantons of Uri and Ticino. It overlooks St. Gotthard Pass and Lake Lucendro on its east side.... | 2,959 | 9,708 |
| Piz Tomul Piz Tomül Piz Tomül is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, situated near Vals in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 2,949 | 9,676 |
| Piz Cavel Piz Cavel Piz Cavel is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, situated near Sumvitg in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 2,944 | 9,659 |
| Barenhorn Bärenhorn Bärenhorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, situated between Vals in the canton of Graubünden and Nufenen GR in Switzerland on territory of both municipalities and a northeastern face on territory of Safien.... | 2,932 | 9,620 |
| Six Madun (Badus) | 2,932 | 9,619 |
| Pizzo Forno Pizzo Forno Pizzo Forno is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It is to be found between Piumogna Valley, Chironico Valley and Leventina Valley. It is in pyramid form and is separate from Pizzo di Campo Tencia in the east. It is visible from the municipalities of... | 2,907 | 9,537 |
| Piz Muraun Piz Muraun Piz Muraun is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, situated near Disentis in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 2,899 | 9,512 |
| Zervreilahorn Zervreilahorn The Zervreilahorn is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, located near Vals in Graubünden, Switzerland. The mountain overlooks the Zervreilasee on the north.... | 2,898 | 9,508 |
| Punta Valgrande Punta Valgrande Punta Valgrande is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border.-External links:*... | 2,857 | 9,373 |
| Monte Cistella Monte Cistella Monte Cistella is a mountain roughly in the middle of the Lepontine Alps. It is wholly in Ossolan territory and comprises three main peaks: the horn , the Cistella peak and pizzo Diei . It is unusual as a mountain as these three peaks are connected by large relatively flat plateaus at an altitude... | 2,851 | 9,353 |
| Piz Lukmanier | 2,778 | 9,115 |
| Monte Prosa | 2,738 | 8,983 |
| Pizzo Columbe | 2,549 | 8,363 |
| Pizzo Paglia | 2,594 | 8,510 |
| Pizzo Cavregasco Pizzo Cavregasco Pizzo Cavregasco is a mountain of Lombardy, Italy, It has an elevation of 2535 metres.... | 2,535 | 8,317 |
| Pizzo Campanile Pizzo Campanile The Pizzo Campanile is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps on the Swiss-Italian border.-External links:*... | 2,458 | 8,064 |
| Camoghè Camoghè The Camoghè is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 2,226 | 7,303 |
| Piz Mundaun Piz Mundaun Piz Mundaun is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps, situated near Obersaxen in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 2,065 | 6,775 |
| Monte Generoso Monte Generoso The Monte Generoso is a mountain in Switzerland, located in the Lepontine Alps,between Lake Lugano and Lake Como. The western and southern flanks of the mountain lie in the Swiss canton of Ticino, whilst the north-eastern flanks are in the Italian region of Lombardy... | 1,704 | 5,591 |
| Monte San Salvatore Monte San Salvatore The Monte San Salvatore is a mountain in the Lepontine Alps above Lake Lugano and the city of Lugano in Switzerland.-External links:*... | 916 | 3,004 |
List of passes
The chief passesMountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
of the Lepontine Alps are:
| Mountain pass | location | type | elevation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | ft | |||
| Zapport Pass | Hinterrhein Hinterrhein, Switzerland -External links:... to Malvaglia Malvaglia Malvaglia is a former municipality in the district of Blenio in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. Since 15 March 2011, it is part of the municipality Serravalle. The reservoir Bacino di Val Malvaglia is located above the village of Malvaglia.-History:... and Biasca Biasca Biasca is a town of the district of Riviera in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.-History:Biasca is first mentioned in 830 as Aviasca in the Liber viventium of Pfäfers Abbey. In 1119 it was mentioned as Abiasca.-Early history:... | snow | 3,079 | 10,103 |
| Guferlücke | Canaltal to Lentatal (near Vals, Switzerland Vals, Switzerland Vals is a municipality in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.-History:Archeological finds from the Bronze Age around the thermal baths and Tomül pass as well as Iron Age items on the slopes of the Valserberg indicate that this area was used before written history... ) | snow | 2,980 | 9,777 |
| Lentalücke | Hinterrhein to Vals | snow | 2,954 | 9,692 |
| Hohsand Pass | Binn Binn Binn is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.The Binn valley is known for its rich mineral deposits, some types of which are unique to the area. The notable Lengenbach Quarry is in Binn.... to La Frua (Toce Toce The Toce is a river in Piedmont, Italy, which stretches the length of the Val d'Ossola from the Swiss border to Lake Maggiore into which it debouches near Fondotoce in the Commune of Verbania. The river is c. 76 kilometres in length and is formed in the upper Val Formazza by the confluence of a... waterfalls) | snow | 2,927 | 9,603 |
| Lecki Pass | Realp Realp Realp is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Realp has an area, , of . Of this area, 41.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 2.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.6% is settled and the remainder is non-productive... to Oberwald VS | snow | 2,912 | 9,554 |
| Passo Rotondo | Airolo Airolo Airolo is a municipality in the district of Leventina in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.-History:In the settlement of Madrano, Roman tombs from the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD were found. They belonged to a Vicus, whose inhabitants probably collected crystal, which was processed in Locarno into... to Oberwald | snow | 2,880 | 9,449 |
| Kaltwasser Pass | Simplon Simplon Simplon is the name of a region in the Alps. It can refer specifically to:* Simplon Pass and Tunnel* Simplon , a former French département corresponding with modern Valais, Switzerland* Simplon, Valais, a Swiss municipality... Hospice to Alpe Veglia | snow | 2,844 | 9,331 |
| Scaradra Pass | Vals to Olivone Olivone Olivone was a municipality in the district of Blenio in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.On 25 January 2005, the cantonal authorities announced that Olivone would merge with Aquila, Campo Blenio, Ghirone and Torre to form a new municipality to be called Blenio... | foot path | 2,770 | 9,088 |
| Satteltelücke | Vals to Vrin Vrin Vrin is a municipality in the Val Lumnezia. It belongs to the circle of Lugnez/Lumnezia in the district of Surselva in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.... | foot path | 2,768 | 9,082 |
| Ritter Pass | Binn Binn Binn is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.The Binn valley is known for its rich mineral deposits, some types of which are unique to the area. The notable Lengenbach Quarry is in Binn.... to Alpe Veglia | snow | 2,692 | 8,832 |
| Cavanna Pass | Realp Realp Realp is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.-Geography:Realp has an area, , of . Of this area, 41.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 2.3% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 0.6% is settled and the remainder is non-productive... to Bedretto Bedretto Bedretto is a municipality in the district of Leventina in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.-History:In 1906 pre-Roman graves and a Roman era villa and coins were discovered in Bedretto. The presumption, that it was originally part of Airolo, could not be confirmed by any available records... | snow | 2,611 | 8,566 |
| Scatta Minoja | Devero to Formazza Formazza Formazza is a comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 160 km northeast of Turin and about 50 km north of Verbania, on the border with Switzerland... | bridle path | 2,597 | 8,521 |
| Bocca di Cadlimo | Airolo to the Lukmanier Pass Lukmanier Pass Lukmanier Pass is a pass in the Swiss Alps.The road from Disentis/Mustér in the canton of Graubünden leads through the Val Medel across the pass to the Blenio valley and Biasca in the canton of Ticino.The Pass is kept opened during the winter.-See also:* List of highest paved roads in Europe*... | foot path | 2,542 | 8,340 |
| Valserberg | Hinterrhein to Vals | bridle path | 2,507 | 8,225 |
| Safierberg | Splügen to Safien Safien Safien is a municipality in the district of Surselva in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.-Geography:Safien has an area, , of . Of this area, 45.6% is used for agricultural purposes, while 18.2% is forested... | bridle path | 2,490 | 8,170 |
| Nufenen Pass Nufenen Pass Nufenen Pass is the highest mountain pass in the Swiss Alps. It lies between the summits of Pizzo Gallina and Nufenestock .... | Ulrichen to Airolo | road | 2,478 | 8,130 |
| Geisspfad Pass | Binn to Devero | foot path | 2,475 | 8,120 |
| Gries Pass Gries Pass Gries Pass is a mountain pass between Valais, Switzerland and Formazza, Italy. There is no motorway over the pass, from Nufenen Pass the paved road ends and a bridle path leads over to the Italian side... | Ulrichen to La Frua | bridle path | 2,468 | 8,098 |
| Passo di Naret | Fusio Fusio Fusio is a village and former municipality in the district of Vallemaggia in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland.In 2004 the municipality was merged with the other, neighboring municipalities Broglio, Brontallo, Menzonio, Peccia and Prato-Sornico to form a new and larger municipality... to Airolo | bridle path | 2,443 | 8,015 |
| Passo Valtendra | Alpe Veglia to Devero and Baceno Baceno Baceno is a comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 140 km northeast of Turin and about 40 km northwest of Verbania, on the border with Switzerland... | bridle path | 2,431 | 7,976 |
| Diesrut Pass | Vrin to Somvix | bridle path | 2,424 | 7,953 |
| Albrun Pass | Binn to Devero and Baceno | bridle path | 2,410 | 7,907 |
| Greina Pass | Olivone to Somvix | bridle path | 2,360 | 7,743 |
| San Giacomo Pass | Airolo to La Frua | bridle path | 2,308 | 7,573 |
| Passo di Buffalora | Mesocco Mesocco Mesocco is a municipality in the district of Moesa in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.-History:The first human settlement in the area dates back to the Mesolithic era. Stone tools dating to about 6000 BC have been found in the Silex section of the municipality. At the same site, Neolithic fire pits... to the Val Calanca | foot path | 2,265 | 7,431 |
| Passo dell'Uomo | Quinto, Switzerland Quinto, Switzerland Quinto is a municipality in the district of Leventina in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.-History:A grave from the early Iron Age has been found in the valley. The modern municipality of Quinto is first mentioned in 1227. The old Vicinanza, whose statutes were first written in 1408, consisted... to the Lukmanier Pass Lukmanier Pass Lukmanier Pass is a pass in the Swiss Alps.The road from Disentis/Mustér in the canton of Graubünden leads through the Val Medel across the pass to the Blenio valley and Biasca in the canton of Ticino.The Pass is kept opened during the winter.-See also:* List of highest paved roads in Europe*... | bridle path | 2,212 | 7,258 |
| Splügen Pass Splügen Pass The Splügen Pass is a high mountain pass which marks the boundary between the Lepontine and Rhaetian Alps.... | Thusis Thusis Thusis is a municipality in the district of Hinterrhein in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.-Geography:Thusis has an area, , of . Of this area, 18% is used for agricultural purposes, while 58.2% is forested... to Chiavenna | road | 2,117 | 6,946 |
| St Gotthard Pass St. Gotthard Pass The Gotthard Pass or St. Gotthard Pass is a high mountain pass in Switzerland between Airolo in the canton of Ticino, and Göschenen in the canton of Uri, connecting the northern German-speaking part of Switzerland with the Italian-speaking part, along the route onwards to Milan.Though the pass... | Andermatt Andermatt Andermatt is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.With Realp and Hospental, it is located in the Urseren valley, south of Altdorf.-Geography:... to Airolo | road | 2,114 | 6,936 |
| San Bernardino Pass San Bernardino Pass San Bernardino Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps connecting the Hinterrhein and the Mesolcina valleys between Thusis and Bellinzona . Located in the far eastern side of the Western Alps it is not to be confused with the Great St. Bernard Pass and the Little St. Bernard Pass... | Thusis to Bellinzona Bellinzona Bellinzona is the administrative capital of the canton Ticino in Switzerland. The city is famous for its three castles that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.... | road | 2,063 | 6,769 |
| Lukmanier Pass Lukmanier Pass Lukmanier Pass is a pass in the Swiss Alps.The road from Disentis/Mustér in the canton of Graubünden leads through the Val Medel across the pass to the Blenio valley and Biasca in the canton of Ticino.The Pass is kept opened during the winter.-See also:* List of highest paved roads in Europe*... | Disentis to Olivone | road | 1,917 | 6,289 |