Albula

The Albula Pass, 2,312 m, in Canton Graubunden, eastern Switzerland, links Tiefencastel in the Albula Valley with La Punt in the Engadin. The narrow road is now mainly used by tourists. It lost its significance after the construction of the Albula Railway and is now closed from October to June because of avalanche danger. In 1695, the citizens of Bergün, a village on the pass, financed the straightening of the trickiest part of the road, as at that time it was only used as an alternative route when the better built and parallel running Julier and Septimer Passes were closed. The costly investment was worthwhile as traffic over the pass, customs duties and taxes from traders all increased. This ended abruptly however with the opening of the Albula Railway in 1904. The local economy soon recovered after focusing its efforts on tourism and this industry has determined activities on the Albula Pass ever since . In winter, the northern section of the road over the pass between Preda and Bergün is transformed into a six-km-long sledge run with a height difference of 400 metres. The run takes approx. 20 minutes with uphill transport provided by the Rhaetian Railway. The pass is occasionally used on a section of the annual Tour de Suisse cycle race.