Ascent of Switzerland: Sustenpass - Sustenpass: Impressive view before the summit
The 46-kilometre Susten Pass in central Switzerland connects the Aare Valley in the canton of Bern with the Reuss Valley in the canton of Uri. The designers of the route, which was built between 1938 and 1945, did not place any excessively steep ramps in the way of cyclists on either the west or east side. In some places, the gradient climbs to nine per cent...
In some places, the gradient climbs to nine per cent, for example just after Innertkirchen, the starting point on the western side. But after the first ten kilometres through forest and pastures, the Gadmertal valley leans back comfortably. Time to catch your breath before the serpentines introduce the remaining thousand metres in altitude. Above the tree line, on the last 400 metres of altitude gain, the cyclist is inspired by a magnificent view of Steinsee, Steingletscher and Gwächtenhorn (3,420 m). You can't see any of this at the summit: it lies in a tunnel that leads to the less spectacular eastern side.
Susten Pass: Elevation profile
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Pass profile: Switzerland: Sustenpass
