The once grand Alpine hotel from the 19th century, Hotel Belvedere, has seen its glory days fade away. Situated along the majestic curves of a mountain road near the top of the Furka Pass in the high Swiss Alps, this iconic establishment has a storied history.
In its heyday, the hotel attracted tourists eager to witness the breathtaking beauty of Rhône Glacier. Nestled in a captivating location, Hotel Belvedere unique shape and position gave it an appearance straight out of a James Bond movie, a fitting tribute to its eventual cameo in the 1964 film “Goldfinger.”
Despite the hotel’s historical charm, it faced closure in 2016, becoming one of Switzerland’s early casualties of climate change. The effects are visible in the deteriorating state of The Rose Hall, once a bustling restaurant with character, now a forlorn space with broken windows and stacked vintage furniture.
The surrounding environment has also undergone significant changes. The 11,000-year-old glacier, which once graced the hotel’s entrance, is rapidly receding at a rate of 10 centimeters per day. The once accessible ice tunnel is now a thing of the past, contributing to the gradual decline of the site’s appeal.
The challenges faced by Hotel Belvedere were elucidated by Rosemarie Carlen, the manager of Hotel Belvedere Rhonegletscher for a decade. Winter necessitated hibernating the building, disconnecting utilities, and relocating vulnerable items. With the arrival of spring, preparations involved helicopter flights to the still-closed Furka Pass road.
Today, the boarded-up windows protect the hotel from trespassers, yet the iconic mansard roof and stone facade maintain a certain allure, especially against the backdrop of the Furka Pass’s 180-degree bend and the picturesque Alpine scenery.
Despite its closure, Hotel Belvedere’s abandoned building remains a popular stop for visitors, who park their cars to capture images of this unique composition. The Furka Pass, located roughly between Milan and Zürich, near the Swiss-Italian border, draws tourists from both countries.
Access to the road leading to Hotel Belvedere is limited to the spring and autumn months, typically between June and mid-October, depending on weather conditions. Motorcar enthusiasts find the Furka Pass a haven with its winding roads and stunning vistas.
Situated halfway between Milan and Zürich, Furka Pass lures tourists with its winding roads and scenic views. The road leading to Hotel Belvedere is open from spring to autumn, making it a haven for motorcar enthusiasts. However, closure depends on weather conditions, with Swiss authorities having the discretion to shut down Furka Pass at any time.
The journey, whether from Zürich or Milan, promises a petrolhead’s delight with its steep roads and stunning views. Furka Pass, standing at an elevation of 7,969 feet (2,429 meters), offers a challenging yet breathtaking drive, solidifying its status as Switzerland’s fourth-highest mountain pass.
Furka Pass
I have been here at least twenty times. When did it close? These were years 2000 – 2006.
We have been past here many times on our Ducati.