Where is the Kerenzerberg Tunnel located?

The Kerenzerberg Tunnel, also known as the Kerenzer Tunnel, is an almost 6 km long road tunnel opened in 1986, which runs through the Kerenzerberg along Lake Walen. With a length of 5,760 meters, it is the fifth-longest road tunnel in Switzerland. The tunnel is generally used in one direction only – from Zurich towards Sargans/Chur. It is part of the A3 motorway from Zurich to Sargans and relieves the Walensee road, which runs along the lake in both directions. In the opposite direction, the A3 runs directly along Lake Walen through six smaller tunnels. The Kerenzerberg Tunnel runs parallel to the Kerenzerberg railway tunnel, which is almost 4 km long and was opened in 1960.

The Walensee

Lake Walen is a mountain lake in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus in Switzerland and a popular tourist destination. With a length of 15.5 km and a width of 2 km, it is the twelfth-largest lake in Switzerland and is often referred to as the Riviera of Eastern Switzerland. Due to its clear water and a maximum depth of 150 meters, Lake Walen is especially popular among divers, but it also offers beautiful hiking trails and a stunning combination of lake and mountain scenery. Travelers can quickly reach Lake Walen via the A3 from Zurich.

Renovation of the Kerenzerberg Tunnel

The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is currently undergoing renovation. This is the first comprehensive refurbishment since its opening in 1986. The renovation work is scheduled to take place from 2020 to 2026. As part of the project, an additional safety tunnel running parallel to the main tunnel is being constructed. The breakthrough for this safety tunnel took place in September 2022. After completion of the safety tunnel, extensive refurbishment work will follow, with the overall project expected to be completed in 2026. During construction, the Kerenzerberg Tunnel remains open during the day, but is closed at night (typically on weekdays between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.). Temporary full closures may also occur during the day. Information about closures can be found on the official website.

Is the Kerenzerberg Tunnel subject to tolls?

The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is subject to the vignette requirement (vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW) or the obligation to pay the heavy vehicle charge (vehicles over 3.5 t GVW). Therefore, the tunnel is 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 the Munt La Schera Tunnel, no additional fees are charged beyond the vignette or the paid heavy vehicle charge. The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is not a special toll route.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip

We wish you a pleasant journey to the Czech Republic and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country’s impressive landscapes. Please inform yourself in good time about the applicable toll regulations. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to assist you. You can contact us at any time by email.