The Kerenzerberg Tunnel, also known as the Kerenzer Tunnel, is a road tunnel nearly 6 km long that was opened in 1986. It runs through the Kerenzerberg along Lake Walen. At 5,760 meters in length, the Kerenzer Tunnel is the fifth-longest road tunnel in Switzerland. It is generally used in one direction only — from Zurich towards Sargans/Chur. The tunnel is part of the A3 motorway from Zurich to Sargans and helps relieve traffic from the lakeside road, which runs along Lake Walen in both directions. In the opposite direction, the A3 runs directly along Lake Walen through six smaller tunnels. The Kerenzer Tunnel runs parallel to the Kerenzerberg railway tunnel, which is nearly 4 km long and opened in 1960.
Lake Walen is a mountain lake located in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus in Switzerland and is a popular tourist destination. At 15.5 km in length and 2 km in width, it is the twelfth-largest lake in Switzerland and is often referred to as the Riviera of Eastern Switzerland. Thanks to its clear waters and a maximum depth of 150 meters, Lake Walen is particularly popular among scuba divers, but it also offers beautiful hiking trails and a charming lake and mountain landscape. Travelers can easily reach Lake Walen via the A3 from Zurich.
The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is currently undergoing renovation. This is the first complete overhaul since its opening in 1986. The renovation work is scheduled from 2020 to 2026. A safety gallery running parallel to the tunnel is being added as part of the work. The breakthrough for the safety gallery occurred in September 2022. Once the gallery is completed, extensive renovation work is planned, with the overall renovation expected to be completed in 2026. During construction, the Kerenzer Tunnel remains open during the day, but a complete closure is necessary at night (typically on weekdays between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM). Temporary daytime closures may also occur. Information on tunnel closures is available on the official website.
The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is subject to the vignette requirement (vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW) or payment of the heavy vehicle charge (vehicles over 3.5 t GVW) and is therefore subject to tolls, meaning that you must have a valid vignette or pay the heavy vehicle charge to use this route.
Unlike special toll tunnels such as the Great St. Bernard Tunnel and Munt La Schera Tunnel, you do not have to pay additional fees on top of your vignette or heavy vehicle charge. The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is not a special toll route.
We wish you a pleasant trip through Switzerland and are happy to assist with any questions regarding Switzerland and its toll regulations. Contact us by email: [email protected]
