Just like the Glaubenbielenpass, the Glaubenbergpass connects the UNESCO Biophere Entlebuch with the Haslital valley. Being between Luzern and Interlaken (as well as on the way to Thun and Bern), it is a popular shortcut for locals. If you get down the southern end of the pass and head to Brienz, you will also be able to drive on the Brünigpass, which is open year-round.
The best place to get supplies and petrol will be in Sarnen as things tend to be a few percent cheaper in the small Canton of Obwalden. They also have a healthy selection of discount supermarkets for the budget-minded visitor.
Enough about shopping, what is it like to drive? At its peak, the Glaubenbergpass is over 1,500m above sea level so expect your car to lose a bit of power at that altitude. The southern half of the pass is more tricky than the northern half so I recommend ascending from the south. That said, the entire road is wide enough for two cars to pass side-by-side at speed so there’s no concern for safety. It’s even wide enough to overtake people driving silly French SUVs that can’t even pull itself up a hill.
Sarnersee
Though beware of trucks, camper vans, trailers, and farm vehicles. As mentioned, it is a shortcut over the mountains and popular with commercial traffic since it is a wide mountain pass. You may see it as a fun drive but people do commute on it between May and October. Mind the slow traffic and breaker early at blind corners, give commercial and agricultural traffic plenty of berth, and you’ll do just fine.
Difficulty: 2/5 Safe, but lots of traffic
