Schlüchttal's closed mountain road reopens after years of landslide risks

The state road between Witznau and Riedersteg in the Schlüchttal valley is set to reopen soon. The route had been closed for nearly three years due to rockfalls and landslide risks. Authorities now confirm that safety measures have been completed after a major rockfall in July 2025 caused severe damage to protective barriers.

The road was first shut in September 2023 because of geological hazards, including landslides and falling rocks. A rockfall in late July 2025 then made the situation worse, dislodging between 10 and 15 cubic metres of debris. Some fragments even reached the road itself, forcing further delays.

During inspections, experts discovered another unstable rock formation—around 250 cubic metres in size. To address the risks, controlled blasting and rockfall operations were carried out. The damaged protective barrier was repaired, and other unstable rocks were secured through stabilisation work.

Most of the safety measures are now finished, though final cleanup and road surface repairs remain underway. The reopening, originally planned for October 2026, has been brought forward after the completion of these critical works.

The road's return to service follows years of closures and extensive safety efforts. Drivers will soon regain access, but some minor finishing work will continue. Authorities have confirmed that long-term stability has been restored to the area.