Flüela Pass, Mountain pass in Grisons, Switzerland

Flüela Pass is a mountain crossing in the Grisons that rises to 2383 meters between the Albula and Silvretta Alps, linking the upper Engadin region to the Landwasser valley. The road climbs through a broad alpine landscape where rounded peaks surround the route and small lakes dot the high terrain.

The Flüela road was built in 1867, giving the shortest road link between the Rhine valley and the Lower Engadin. From May 1938 the Büro für Befestigungsbauten built the Flüelapass blocking position, with a barrier at the Chant Sura bridge and the Flüela right (A 7701) and Flüela left (A 7702) works. Since the Vereina line opened in 1999 the pass has been closed in winter.

The name Flüela derives from Fluh, Swiss German for a rocky area. At the summit stands the Flüela Hospiz, a pass hotel on the east side of the Schottensee. Since 1990 the Pro Flüela association has campaigned, funded by memberships and cantonal and communal grants, to keep the road open beyond the summer months.

The road is usually open during summer months, while snow closes it in winter. The nearby Vereina Tunnel offers year-round rail travel as an alternative for those unable to cross by road.

Two alpine lakes at the summit, Lai da la Scotta and Lai Nair, sit at a watershed where waters flow to two different European river systems. These lakes mark a rare geographical point where rain falling on one side flows toward the Rhine and on the other toward the Danube.