Mountain Pass Name Generator

Evocative names for passes, cols, gaps and saddles

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Generate mountain pass names for fantasy maps, novels, tabletop campaigns and travel fiction: English gaps, notches and saddles with a story behind them, Alpine cols and jochs, Gaelic bealachs, Spanish puertos, Himalayan las and Persian kotals. Every name sounds like a place people had to cross.

About mountain pass names

A mountain pass is named by the people who had to get over it, so real pass names are blunt and practical. English-speaking ranges use pass, gap, notch (New England), saddle and col; the Alps have the French col and pas, the Italian passo, forcella and bocchetta, and the German joch, scharte and sattel; Scotland and Ireland use bealach, lairig and mám, Wales bwlch, Spain puerto and collado, the Andes abra and portezuelo, the Himalaya la, Persia and Afghanistan kotal and gardaneh, Japan tōge and China guan, the fortified gate-pass. Choosing the right generic word does most of the work of making a name feel native.

The specific part of the name almost always comes from one of a few sources: the weather that makes the crossing dangerous (Col du Brouillard, Windscharte, Whiteout Col), an animal or the herders who drove it over (Bealach nam Bò, Gamsjoch, Drover's Col), a saint, chapel or hospice at the summit (Col de la Madone, Puerto del Cristo), a disaster or a grave (Dead Mule Pass, Paso de los Muertos, Totensattel), or a striking rock shape like a needle, tooth or door. Trade routes add salt, silk and smugglers.

The list mixes invented English names with plausible forms in a dozen languages so you can name one pass or a whole mountain frontier.

How to choose mountain pass names

  • Match the generic word to the range: col or joch in an Alpine setting, gap or notch for Appalachian-style hills, la for Himalayan scale, bealach for anything Highland.
  • Give important passes a story name (Three Widows Pass, The Gate of Tears) and minor ones a plain descriptive one (Wolfsjoch, Rime Saddle); real maps mix both.
  • A pass that guards a kingdom wants a gate word (Stonegate, Das Eiserne Tor, Tianmen Guan), while a hidden shepherds' route suits a diminutive like bocchetta or portillo.
  • Use the pass name to anchor nearby features: the peak above Ravensgap becomes Raven's Crag and the village below it Ravensfoot.
  • Say the name with a direction: travellers go over the Notch, through the Gap and up to the Col, so pick the word that fits how the crossing is used.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a pass, a gap, a notch, a col and a saddle?

They all describe a low point between peaks. Pass is the general word; gap is common in the Appalachians and Ireland; notch is the New England term; col is the French and mountaineering word for a narrow high crossing; saddle describes the broad, horse-back-shaped dip between two summits.

Can I use foreign-language pass names in a fantasy world?

Yes, and it is a quick way to make different regions feel distinct. Give one culture's passes Germanic endings like -joch and -scharte, another Romance forms like col and passo, and a remote high range the Tibetan la, and readers will sense the borders without a lecture.

Are these real mountain passes?

Most are invented, though they follow real naming patterns and a handful of well-known forms appear as models. Because real passes often share simple names like Windy Gap, a quick map search will tell you whether your pick already exists.

How do I name a pass for a tabletop campaign?

Decide what the pass does in the story first. A chokepoint held by a garrison wants a gate or iron name; a cursed or haunted crossing wants graves, widows and ghosts; a trade route wants salt, silk or toll. Then pick the generic word that matches the surrounding culture.

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All 500 mountain pass names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 17 names

  • Abra de la Luna Vieja
  • Abra de la Raya
  • Abra de las Cruces
  • Abra del Cóndor Viejo
  • Abra del Sol
  • Adder's Notch
  • Adlersattel
  • Aldermoor Notch
  • Alto da Serra Negra
  • Amber Road Pass
  • An Cadha Dubh
  • Angel's Step
  • Arrowslit Pass
  • Ashentor Pass
  • Ashfall Pass
  • Ashlar Gate
  • Ashwood Pass

B: 36 names

  • Badger's Cut
  • Banshee Gap
  • Bärensattel
  • Barrow Step
  • Bealach an Torc
  • Bealach Coire a' Ghobhainn
  • Bealach Dubh
  • Bealach Fionn
  • Bearna Dhearg
  • Bearna na Gaoithe
  • Bearpaw Notch
  • Bitter Gap
  • Bittern Gap
  • Bjørneskar
  • Black Ice Cut
  • Black Powder Gap
  • Blackmarrow Saddle
  • Blacksmith's Door
  • Blaue Scharte
  • Blind Saddle
  • Bocca del Leone
  • Bocca di Forca
  • Bocca di Val Scura
  • Bocchetta del Corvo
  • Bocchetta di Ferro
  • Bora Pass
  • Brackwater Defile
  • Brimstone Pass
  • Broken Axle Crossing
  • Broken Tooth Col
  • Burnholm Col
  • Burnt Cabin Gap
  • Burnt Forest Pass
  • Bwlch Coch
  • Bwlch y Ddwy Afon
  • Bwlch y Gwynt

C: 49 names

  • Cairnwatch Gap
  • Camel's Hump Pass
  • Candlemass Gap
  • Cannonball Pass
  • Caribou Crossing
  • Carrion Gap
  • Carrowmore Neck
  • Chamois Step
  • Chancellor's Cut
  • Cheese Runner's Notch
  • Chinook Col
  • Chokhor La
  • Cinder Saddle
  • Cinderfall Gate
  • Claim Jumper's Saddle
  • Cleftstone Gap
  • Cloudbreak
  • Col d'Aubépine
  • Col de Fenêtre Blanche
  • Col de l'Aigle
  • Col de l'Orage
  • Col de la Croix Noire
  • Col de la Dent Grise
  • Col de la Fenêtre Perdue
  • Col de la Pierre Levée
  • Col de la Seigne Blanche
  • Col des Bergers Perdus
  • Col des Chamois Morts
  • Col des Ecorchés
  • Col des Glaciers Noirs
  • Col des Trois Croix
  • Col du Brouillard
  • Col du Lac Gelé
  • Col du Pas-Perdu
  • Col du Petit Saint-Hubert
  • Col du Vieux Berger
  • Cold Harbour Notch
  • Collado de la Luna
  • Collado del Cuervo
  • Collado del Oso
  • Colwen Gap
  • Condor Pass
  • Coppervein Pass
  • Corvane Pass
  • Crookhaven Gap
  • Crownrest Pass
  • Crowsfoot Notch
  • Cumbre del Paso Largo
  • Cutthroat Notch

D: 16 names

  • Darkwater Saddle
  • Das Eiserne Tor
  • Das Goldene Tor
  • Das Windtor
  • Dawnbreak Gap
  • Dead Horse Pass
  • Dead Mule Pass
  • Deadfall Notch
  • Defile of Ghosts
  • Die Eiserne Pforte
  • Dorje La
  • Dragonback Pass
  • Drowned Shepherd's Pass
  • Dunmorrow Pass
  • Dwarfdoor
  • Dzongri La

E: 7 names

  • Eagle's Rest Pass
  • Earlsgate
  • Eisjoch
  • Elfhame Pass
  • Elkhorn Pass
  • Ellsmere Col
  • Emperor's Eyebrow

F: 21 names

  • Falconer's Gap
  • Falkenjoch
  • Fallowfield Notch
  • Farrow's Notch
  • Fenêtre d'Arpette Nord
  • Ferrin's Leap
  • Foehn Gap
  • Fogbound Notch
  • Forcella Bianca
  • Forcella dei Camosci
  • Forcella del Diavolo
  • Forcella del Vento
  • Forcella delle Nevi
  • Forcella Nera
  • Forcella Stretta
  • Forgefire Gap
  • Fox Den Col
  • Foxgate
  • Freysskarð
  • Friar's Pass
  • Frost Stair

G: 28 names

  • Galehaven Pass
  • Gallowglass Gap
  • Gallows Gap
  • Gamsjoch
  • Gap of the Fallen King
  • Gardaneh-ye Barf
  • Gardaneh-ye Mah
  • Gate of Winds
  • Geierjoch
  • Ghostlight Col
  • Giant's Stride
  • Gibbet Gap
  • Giogo della Luna
  • Giogo di Ferro
  • Glassmere Col
  • Gletscherjoch
  • Goat's Leap
  • Goblin Gate
  • Godsgate
  • Goldscharte
  • Grauer Sattel
  • Gravenhurst Pass
  • Greatheart Pass
  • Greyfell Saddle
  • Greywater Gap
  • Grimmer Hals
  • Gryphon Step
  • Gunsight Notch

H: 29 names

  • Hailstone Gap
  • Hangdog Notch
  • Hangman's Step
  • Hanzu Tōge
  • Harmattan Crossing
  • Harrow's Gate
  • Hartshorn Notch
  • Hawksbill Pass
  • Heaven's Hinge
  • Heishi Guan
  • Hell's Half Acre Gap
  • Hellmouth Gap
  • Helmcleft
  • Hermit's Door
  • Hermitage Saddle
  • Hestskaret
  • Hexensattel
  • Hightithe Pass
  • Highwayman's Notch
  • Hochtor der Krähen
  • Hoher Hals
  • Hoher Übergang
  • Hollow Saddle
  • Hollowbone Gap
  • Howling Gap
  • Hrafnagil Pass
  • Hrafnaskarð
  • Hundsscharte
  • Hurricane Hollow

I: 3 names

  • Ibex Ledge Pass
  • Ironbound Notch
  • Isskaret

J: 5 names

  • Jawbone Gap
  • Jel-Ashuu
  • Joch der Raben
  • Jökulháls
  • Jökulskarð

K: 22 names

  • Kaiserscharte
  • Kaldidalur Gap
  • Kalter Hals
  • Kara-Bel
  • Karakol Ashuu
  • Kazematsu Tōge
  • Keenwind Saddle
  • Kelder's Crossing
  • Kessick Saddle
  • Kestrel Notch
  • Kettlebrook Col
  • Khamsin Gate
  • Khorin La
  • Kings' Bones Pass
  • Kingsgate Pass
  • Kiri Tōge
  • Kongsskaret
  • Kotal-e Bad
  • Kotal-e Shir
  • Krähenhals
  • Kreuzjoch
  • Kumano Tōge

L: 11 names

  • Lairig nan Lochan
  • Lantern Hill Pass
  • Lanternfall Gap
  • Last Chance Pass
  • Lawinenscharte
  • Lhamo La
  • Lightning Saddle
  • Lone Cairn Saddle
  • Lost Boot Saddle
  • Lost Wagon Gap
  • Lyddington Notch

M: 12 names

  • Mám an Tuirc
  • Mám Clasach
  • Martyr's Gap
  • Miner's Luck Pass
  • Minotaur's Gate
  • Mistfall Crossing
  • Mönchsjoch
  • Mondjoch
  • Monk's Walk Pass
  • Moonrise Notch
  • Mourning Col
  • Muleskinner Notch

N: 6 names

  • Nebeljoch
  • Nebeltor
  • Nightjar Gap
  • Ninefold Stair
  • No Return Gap
  • Nyima La

O: 7 names

  • Oathkeeper's Gap
  • Okuyama Tōge
  • Old Man's Step
  • Old Sluice Col
  • Ørneskar
  • Orphan's Notch
  • Oxbow Saddle

P: 74 names

  • Packhorse Notch
  • Pas de l'Ours
  • Pas de la Mule
  • Pas des Pèlerins
  • Pas du Diable
  • Paso de la Tormenta
  • Paso de la Virgen
  • Paso de las Lágrimas
  • Paso de los Arrieros
  • Paso de los Muertos
  • Paso del Cóndor
  • Paso del Contrabandista
  • Paso del Fraile
  • Paso del Jaguar
  • Passo del Gatto Nero
  • Passo del Lupo
  • Passo del Vento Nero
  • Passo dell'Orso
  • Passo della Croce Rotta
  • Passo della Nebbia
  • Passo della Sella Bianca
  • Passo delle Aquile
  • Passo delle Streghe
  • Passo di Monte Crocifisso
  • Passo di Pietra Rotta
  • Passo di Sant'Elmo
  • Pemba La
  • Penitent's Pass
  • Penrose Col
  • Pereval Medvedya
  • Pereval Orla
  • Pereval Tumanny
  • Pereval Vetrov
  • Pereval Volkov
  • Pickaxe Gap
  • Pilgrim's Step
  • Porte du Loup

P, continued

  • Portela da Cruz
  • Portela da Névoa
  • Portela do Vento
  • Portela dos Lobos
  • Portezuelo de los Vientos
  • Portezuelo Negro
  • Portillo de la Nieve
  • Portillo de las Ánimas
  • Portillo del Águila
  • Portillo del Viento
  • Portillón Negro
  • Prästskaret
  • Prijevoj Crni Kamen
  • Prijevoj Magle
  • Prijevoj Munje
  • Prijevoj Orlova
  • Prijevoj Vukova
  • Prince's Folly Col
  • Prospector's Notch
  • Przełęcz Burzy
  • Przełęcz Kruków
  • Przełęcz Lodowa
  • Przełęcz Mglista
  • Przełęcz Niedźwiedzia
  • Przełęcz Śnieżna
  • Przełęcz Wilcza
  • Przełęcz Wilcze Wrota
  • Puerto de la Bruja
  • Puerto de la Cruz Rota
  • Puerto de las Cabras
  • Puerto de las Nieves
  • Puerto de San Lesmes
  • Puerto del Cristo
  • Puerto del Espino
  • Puerto del Lobo
  • Puerto del Trueno
  • Puerto del Viento Frío

Q: 3 names

  • Quarryman's Saddle
  • Queen's Cushion Gap
  • Quickfire Col

R: 12 names

  • Rabensattel
  • Ramshorn Gap
  • Ravelin Gap
  • Ravensgap
  • Redwall Gap
  • Regent's Crossing
  • Reinskaret
  • Ribcage Pass
  • Rime Saddle
  • Roaring Fork Pass
  • Roc's Nest Notch
  • Rotjoch

S: 59 names

  • Saddleback Gap
  • Saint Aldric's Gap
  • Saint Corvin's Notch
  • Saint Wendel's Gap
  • Saint Ysolde's Col
  • Salt Porters' Notch
  • Sangmo La
  • Sattel der Stummen Glocke
  • Scalone del Diavolo
  • Schneesattel
  • Schwarzjoch
  • Sedlo Havranie
  • Sedlo Hmly
  • Sedlo Kráľovské
  • Sedlo Ľadové
  • Sedlo Medvedie
  • Sedlo Veterné
  • Sedlo Vlčí
  • Sella del Pastore
  • Sella di Pietra
  • Seven Pines Pass
  • Shaitan Pass
  • Sheriff's Notch
  • Sherpa's Notch
  • Shieldwall Notch
  • Shiroishi Tōge
  • Shrike's Cut
  • Shuangshi Guan
  • Silberscharte
  • Silk Road Gap
  • Silverlode Gap
  • Singing Stones Col
  • Sirocco Saddle
  • Skarð Úlfsins
  • Skardsbrekka
  • Skyhole Gap
  • Smugglers' Cut
  • Snæskarð
  • Snøskardet
  • Snow Leopard La
  • Snowbird Gap
  • Sonnenjoch
  • Sorrow's Crossing
  • Sorrowmere Step
  • Spearpoint Saddle
  • Splitrock Pass
  • Stagecoach Pass
  • Starfall Col
  • Steinbockscharte
  • Steinerne Scharte
  • Steinháls
  • Stonegate
  • Stonesaddle Crossing
  • Stormcleft
  • Stormgate
  • Sturmjoch
  • Sullen Crossing
  • Sunderland Cut
  • Swanmere Saddle

T: 53 names

  • Tang-e Gorg
  • Tang-e Siyah
  • Tanglewood Gap
  • Tarn Head Gap
  • Tash-Ashuu
  • Tea Horse Saddle
  • Teufelsscharte
  • The Cold Throat
  • The Crooked Mile
  • The Devil's Staircase
  • The Dragon's Throat
  • The Gate of Tears
  • The Ghost Walk
  • The Giant's Doorstep
  • The Gullet
  • The Hollowing
  • The Iron Door
  • The Low Door
  • The Maw of Vask
  • The Narrows of Saint Brannoc
  • The Needle's Eye
  • The Notch Above Ellery
  • The Old Woman's Shoulder
  • The Pass of the Nine Winds
  • The Saddle of the Two Kings
  • The Scree Ladder
  • The Serpent's Spine
  • The Sky Ladder
  • The Throat of Karrow
  • The Windy Gap of Achill
  • The Windy Gate
  • The Witch's Elbow
  • Thornhold Gap
  • Threadneedle Notch
  • Three Widows Pass
  • Thunderbird Gap
  • Thunderhead Pass
  • Tiefeng Guan
  • Titan's Notch
  • Tollgate Pass
  • Tomb Gate
  • Torchbearer's Step
  • Þórsskarð
  • Totenpforte
  • Totensattel
  • Trapper's Notch
  • Traveller's Rest Pass
  • Troll Bridge Gap
  • Trollaskarð
  • Trollskaret
  • Tsering La
  • Twilight Crossing
  • Two Sisters Gap

U: 3 names

  • Úlfsháls
  • Ulveskaret
  • Undersky Pass

V: 5 names

  • Valico dei Mercanti
  • Valico del Falco
  • Valico della Quercia
  • Vindskarð
  • Vindskaret

W: 19 names

  • Wardens' Gap
  • Watchfire Pass
  • Weeping Rock Gap
  • Wethersedge Col
  • Wetterscharte
  • Wettertor
  • Whiteout Col
  • Widow's Notch
  • Wildes Joch
  • Windscharte
  • Wintergate
  • Wolf's Tooth Pass
  • Wolfsjoch
  • Wolfssattel
  • Wolverine Notch
  • Wormgate
  • Wraith's Step
  • Wyrmhollow Col
  • Wyvern's Neck

Y: 3 names

  • Yak Saddle
  • Yeti's Door
  • Yunhe Guan