Innsbruck to Val D'Isere with a lot of passes. Map included.

Innsbruck to Val D'Isere with a lot of passes. Map included.

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AdvocatusD

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

230 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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Hi Chaps,

I've put together a map of a drive through the Alps. Google link below and some snips of the map itself. I have the right points on the map, but I'm not sure if I am actually driving all of the road that I should be as opposed to simply getting to a point? Am I approaching things from the right direction?

The route starts in Innsbruck and end in Val D'Isere and takes in:

Timmelsjoch
Albergpass
Ofenpass
Stelvio pass (I know that this is not all its cracked up to be, but I fancy the pictures at the top)
Albula pass
Bernina pass
Julier pass
San Bernadino
Susten
Grimsel
Furka

I've attached the Google map so contributors can tweak it as that's probably the easiest way of sharing the knowledge.

If people with some experience could tweak the Google map and pull the points on the maps to make their points, that would be incredibly helpful.

http://tinyurl.com/q5mzes9 - Google Map link.








Edited by AdvocatusD on Wednesday 22 October 10:28

don logan

3,511 posts

221 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Hi, when are you planning to do this journey?

Very soon I`m guessing, some of those passes will start to have limited access soon, they all close on different dates depending on the weather etc.


NormalWisdom

2,139 posts

158 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
don logan said:
Hi, when are you planning to do this journey?

Very soon I`m guessing, some of those passes will start to have limited access soon, they all close on different dates depending on the weather etc.
Likely to be this week as c1m of snow forecast (Weds/Thurs) in Northern Tyrol through to Swiss above 1500m

AdvocatusD

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

230 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
Next summer, but this takes a lot of planning! Look forward to seeing suggestions for routes based on the map.

AdiT

1,025 posts

156 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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How long are you planning for the trip?

Whatever, you'll never find a perfect route covering ALL the good roads so you're bound to miss some; That's a reason to make another trip. Two bits that stand out.. From the BrennerPass direct to the Timmelerjock (sorry can't remember it's name) was an unexpected gem when I did it this year... and the Grand St Bernard to Aosta instead of taking the MtBlanc tunnel.

Your maps cover a lot of ground but I'd try and eliminate sections that involve going to a waypoint and then retracing; You'll do enough of that just taking the wrong turn. We use T.Y.R.E program to plan our routes and then load itinary files direct from there to our TomTom. You'll have to lay about adding extra waypoints along the route to ensure the route goes where you want it to. Otherwise it can just find the quickest route.

don logan

3,511 posts

221 months

Monday 20th October 2014
quotequote all
AdvocatusD said:
Next summer, but this takes a lot of planning! Look forward to seeing suggestions for routes based on the map.
8 months?????? :-)

You probably already know the deal with Val D'Isere but just incase you don't and you go in June, don't expect much conversation from the locals!

sjw

59 posts

239 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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Not a lot wrong with that, just dont plan too much for each day. There is a tendency to think 250 miles a day is easy, but over high passes, stopping to stare, photographs, coffee, cakes, fuel, lunch all takes time, and you will suddenly find the day closing in, especially if you are looking for places to stay.

Also, dont try to fit in every pass that you have ever heard of, because you will get hooked on Alpine touring, and you can always do some more the next year. You seem to be fitting in a little of the Dolomites, a little of the French Alps, some Swiss passes, and some in the Austrian Tyrol. Each of which can be expanded upon considerably.

Agree cut out Mt Blanc tunnel, and go through Aosta. Avoid going up passes and back down the same way. Be aware Switzerland is getting tough on speeding.

There is a nice loop from St Anton into the Lech valley, down to Stanzach turn right and join one of my favourites over to Berwang through Namlos

AdvocatusD

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
sjw said:
...There is a nice loop from St Anton into the Lech valley, down to Stanzach turn right and join one of my favourites over to Berwang through Namlos
Thanks SJW. Unfortunately, I seem to have 3/4 passes which only seem like "up and then back down" options. They are marked at E, F, I and J on my original map. I've also removed the old E, F, I and J and created a loop back to Stelvio.

Here's a new map incorporating your Lech Valley loop.

http://tinyurl.com/ohn5yd7

A few annoying questions:

1. Am I doing your Lech Valley loop correctly?

2. Is it the right direction?

3. BIG QUESTION: Given Stelvio is likely to be a bore, I am doing Stelvio in the right direction?

4. If you look between points P, Q and R on this new map and zoom in (you will need to open the link), you can see that there seem to be two roads running parallel to each other. I can't acess Streetview for them, so is there any knowledge on which one to take? One is called the E43 and the other is called 13.

5. How many days would be sensible for these two maps (see below)?



AdiT said:
...two bits that stand out.. From the BrennerPass direct to the Timmelerjock (sorry can't remember it's name) was an unexpected gem when I did it this year... and the Grand St Bernard to Aosta instead of taking the MtBlanc tunnel
Thanks AdiT, we're looking at about a week or so I think. We use Tyre all the time and hardcode routes into our GPS'.

Hopefully, this is what you mean in relation to losing the MontBlanc tunnel? I think my original map includes your route from the Brennerpass to Timmelsjoch? I've put together a new map of the bit onward from St Moritz to Val D'Isere.

http://goo.gl/maps/xmKyl




Edited by AdvocatusD on Wednesday 22 October 12:44

sjw

59 posts

239 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Yep, you've picked up the Namlos road ok. Be aware it can be very busy down into Imst if you catch it at a weekend.

For me you have Stelvio the wrong way round. The hairpins are so tight on the NE ramp that I prefer to go up from the South

For Brenner to Timmelsjoch, I think adiT is referring to the road between Vipiteno and San Leonardo which was extremely good for me at the time, but I was heading towards Vipiteno on a glorious day. Then of course it all comes down to the weather, which you really cannot predict

PQR, there is a sodding great tunnel underneath the interesting bit. ok if it is hissing it down, twisty version above ground if not.

So why are you starting at Innsbruck and finishing at Val d'Isere ? Given I dont know how many days you are putting aside, I still think you may be trying to fit too much in

Get some mileages worked out, and see where you would likely stop each night, and it extrapolates (is that the right word ?) from there

Edited by sjw on Wednesday 22 October 14:30


Edited by sjw on Wednesday 22 October 14:32

don logan

3,511 posts

221 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
sjw said:
Yep, you've picked up the Namlos road ok. Be aware it can be very busy down into Imst if you catch it at a weekend.

For me you have Stelvio the wrong way round. The hairpins are so tight on the NE ramp that I prefer to go up from the South

For Brenner to Timmelsjoch, I think adiT is referring to the road between Vipiteno and San Leonardo which was extremely good for me at the time, but I was heading towards Vipiteno on a glorious day. Then of course it all comes down to the weather, which you really cannot predict

PQR, there is a sodding great tunnel underneath the interesting bit. ok if it is hissing it down, twisty version above ground if not.

So why are you starting at Innsbruck and finishing at Val d'Isere ? Given I dont know how many days you are putting aside, I still think you may be trying to fit too much in

Get some mileages worked out, and see where you would likely stop each night, and it extrapolates (is that the right word ?) from there

Edited by sjw on Wednesday 22 October 14:30


It does look an awful lot, the kind of plan that means absolute non stop flat out driving just to get it done let alone enjoy it!

Edited by sjw on Wednesday 22 October 14:32

AdvocatusD

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
sjw said:
For me you have Stelvio the wrong way round. The hairpins are so tight on the NE ramp that I prefer to go up from the South

For Brenner to Timmelsjoch, I think adiT is referring to the road between Vipiteno and San Leonardo which was extremely good for me at the time, but I was heading towards Vipiteno on a glorious day. Then of course it all comes down to the weather, which you really cannot predict
Thanks SJW, I've adjusted the map to your suggestions into account. smile

http://goo.gl/maps/gfNTo

We're not sure whether this is going to be 5 days, 7 days or 10 at this point, but as we won't be driving to and from Europe to the UK (cars will be transported) I think it will be enough time to take it all in. We'll make that decision closer to the time.



Merp

2,220 posts

251 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Interesting, I live in Innsbruck. If you need any recommendations of restaurants/bars etc whilst your here then let me know. Although you don't need 8months planning wink

I've actually never done any touring of the drivers roads around here. (or maybe I have and I just don't realize)