SlopeSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


15. Slope

A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.

Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.

Steep-gradient warning sign at Tobelmüli on Küsnachterberg. (Küsnacht, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Albinfo • CC BY-SA
What does a steep-slope warning mean in Switzerland?

Swiss signs distinguish a dangerous descent and a steep ascent. Mountain roads can also carry special instructions, including those associated with mountain postal services.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 8; OCR articles 9,38; LCR articles 35,45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Warning for a steep ascent. Warning for a steep ascent.

English • Traffic sign 1.11 • Steep ascent.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.11 • Starke Steigung.

Français • Signal 1.11 • Forte montée.

Italiano • Segnale 1.11 • Salita ripida.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a steep descent. Warning for a steep descent.

English • Traffic sign 1.10 • Steep descent.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.10 • Gefährliches Gefälle.

Français • Signal 1.10 • Descente dangereuse.

Italiano • Segnale 1.10 • Discesa pericolosa.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should I approach a steep descent in Switzerland?

Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 8; OCR articles 9,38; LCR articles 35,45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in Switzerland?

On steep roads and mountain roads, the descending driver must stop first in good time when meeting is difficult. If equal-category vehicles cannot pass, the descending vehicle must reverse unless the uphill vehicle is clearly closer to a passing place. Different-category meeting rules give priority to combinations over other vehicles, heavy motor vehicles over light ones, and coaches over lorries. Do not overtake towards a crest without a clear view.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 8; OCR articles 9,38; LCR articles 35,45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...