Swiss Mountain Passes - September 2017
Discussion
Considering a shortish road trip this time next year in the TVR to visit and experience some fantastic Swiss scenrery and mountain passes. Furka, Susten, Klausen, etc. but not the Stelvio, as this seems far too busy and commercialised these days. And there are better passes - so I'm reliably informed.
Probably only 4 or 5 nights, due to other commitments, so the plan will be early morning Eurotunnel, followed by a blast down through France, stopping short of the border on the first night. Into Switserland the next day with a couple of days exploring the roads, followed by the drive back through France.
My question: Does anyone have a proposal for a route to make the most of such a trip please? Any advice appreciated, road maps, places to stay, passes to drive, things to see, etc, etc... 2 cars, 4 peeps. Beer and wine may also be involved.
All input gratefully received.
Probably only 4 or 5 nights, due to other commitments, so the plan will be early morning Eurotunnel, followed by a blast down through France, stopping short of the border on the first night. Into Switserland the next day with a couple of days exploring the roads, followed by the drive back through France.
My question: Does anyone have a proposal for a route to make the most of such a trip please? Any advice appreciated, road maps, places to stay, passes to drive, things to see, etc, etc... 2 cars, 4 peeps. Beer and wine may also be involved.
All input gratefully received.We've done similar the last two years but over a longer period. Normally stay near Dijon, and head to Martigny in Switzerland and onto the Andermatt area. Susten, Nufenen and Grmisell are our favourites. On way back might be worth trying the Grand and Petite St Bernard passes, and also Col d'liseran.
We did this run in July, great passes and a fine days run. ... https://goo.gl/maps/4ddHn6T9W3T2
I did the Alps 2 years ago on the bike in September.
NOWHERE was busy and in fact many places were closed.
We spent first night in Basel, then did the Grimsel, Furka Oberalp, albula and Bernina passes on the first day, then as we were based in Livigno for the next 2 days, next day, did the Stelvio, umbrial, Ofenpass, FLuella and then back over the Albula cos the weather was lovely
last day we did the Stelvio (south to North), then over the Ofenpass, and MajolaPass to the Splugen, before returning to Livigno.
I went back this summer in the Mini (real one not a BMW one) with the wife and did the same in a better order.
Staying in Meiringen, for a couple of days, we did the Grimsel, Furka and then the Susten one afternoon (after a trip up the Rothorn Bahn - that was worth a visit!!), then we moved to StMoritz via the Grimsel, Furka, gottard, bernadino, splugen and Majola - easily done in one day in a car with 64bhp!
next day we did the Stelvio, then the Ofenpass, then the Fluella, then the Albula back to St Moritz.
rushed, but fantastic driving and lovely scenery - everywhere we went we stopped for a cup of tea and some strudel - its mandatory!
wish Id done the Gavia it is apparently quite nice!
NOWHERE was busy and in fact many places were closed.
We spent first night in Basel, then did the Grimsel, Furka Oberalp, albula and Bernina passes on the first day, then as we were based in Livigno for the next 2 days, next day, did the Stelvio, umbrial, Ofenpass, FLuella and then back over the Albula cos the weather was lovely
last day we did the Stelvio (south to North), then over the Ofenpass, and MajolaPass to the Splugen, before returning to Livigno.
I went back this summer in the Mini (real one not a BMW one) with the wife and did the same in a better order.
Staying in Meiringen, for a couple of days, we did the Grimsel, Furka and then the Susten one afternoon (after a trip up the Rothorn Bahn - that was worth a visit!!), then we moved to StMoritz via the Grimsel, Furka, gottard, bernadino, splugen and Majola - easily done in one day in a car with 64bhp!
next day we did the Stelvio, then the Ofenpass, then the Fluella, then the Albula back to St Moritz.
rushed, but fantastic driving and lovely scenery - everywhere we went we stopped for a cup of tea and some strudel - its mandatory!
wish Id done the Gavia it is apparently quite nice!
Thanks for this. Really good feedback! (Sorry, only just picked up on your response.)
Can I ask, was that the beginning or end of September? The feedback I receieve is that the weather can be iffy by this time of the year, with the real possibility of heavy snow, etc. Mid to end of September will suit me far better for family reasons and hearing of your experience (twice) strengthens my hopes that this could still be good timing.
Can I ask, was that the beginning or end of September? The feedback I receieve is that the weather can be iffy by this time of the year, with the real possibility of heavy snow, etc. Mid to end of September will suit me far better for family reasons and hearing of your experience (twice) strengthens my hopes that this could still be good timing.
"Blast through France" - not if you want to lose your car !!
I'd recommend the E411 through Belgium, Luxembourg, E29 across the Moselle into Germany and stay in the Pfalzer Wald forest region. We overnighted in Bad Bergzabern and then B500 into Switzerland. Dull motorway slog but it gets you deep into Germany in one hit.
Useful website - http://www.alpentourer.com/alpine_passes/
Stelvio is not a great driving road and very "tacky" at the summit. Gavia is downright dangerous on the southern leg (Ponte Legno end), OK from the Bormio end.Stunning summit views.
Foscagno Pass out of Bormio to Livigno and then along the lake/dam is stunning,although a Toll to get through the tunnel to the OffenPass.
I'd recommend the E411 through Belgium, Luxembourg, E29 across the Moselle into Germany and stay in the Pfalzer Wald forest region. We overnighted in Bad Bergzabern and then B500 into Switzerland. Dull motorway slog but it gets you deep into Germany in one hit.
Useful website - http://www.alpentourer.com/alpine_passes/
Stelvio is not a great driving road and very "tacky" at the summit. Gavia is downright dangerous on the southern leg (Ponte Legno end), OK from the Bormio end.Stunning summit views.
Foscagno Pass out of Bormio to Livigno and then along the lake/dam is stunning,although a Toll to get through the tunnel to the OffenPass.
Inspector Callaghan said:
I'd recommend the E411 through Belgium, Luxembourg, E29 across the Moselle into Germany and stay in the Pfalzer Wald forest region. We overnighted in Bad Bergzabern and then B500 into Switzerland. Dull motorway slog but it gets you deep into Germany in one hit..
We chose a similar route last year. Previously we'd used French autoroutes - effective but utterly mind-numbing. The Belgium > Luxembourg > Germany option is pretty good and this is how we planned our Alpine hit last year. Some of the roads in rural Belgium are properly, properly cr@p though, so plan well! There's a load of info on the site I put together detailing our last trip, including the route map and some hotel recommendations. There are also a few pages that offer an overview of several passes in Switzerland. Perhaps it'll be of use:www.ferrari360modena.co.uk
Edited by Kyodo on Friday 30th December 18:13
Kyodo said:
We chose a similar route last year. Previously we'd used French autoroutes - effective but utterly mind-numbing. The Belgium > Luxembourg > Germany option is pretty good and this is how we planned our Alpine hit last year. Some of the roads in rural Belgium are properly, properly cr@p though, so plan well! There's a load of info on the site I put together detailing our last trip, including the route map and some hotel recommendations. There are also a few pages that offer an overview of several passes in Switzerland. Perhaps it'll be of use:
www.ferrari360modena.co.uk
A great read, thanks. We are planning a driving trip to the Alps in June.www.ferrari360modena.co.uk
Edited by Kyodo on Friday 30th December 18:13
Oh, and I only found one typo on your website
Kyodo said:
We chose a similar route last year. Previously we'd used French autoroutes - effective but utterly mind-numbing. The Belgium > Luxembourg > Germany option is pretty good and this is how we planned our Alpine hit last year. Some of the roads in rural Belgium are properly, properly cr@p though, so plan well! There's a load of info on the site I put together detailing our last trip, including the route map and some hotel recommendations. There are also a few pages that offer an overview of several passes in Switzerland. Perhaps it'll be of use:
www.ferrari360modena.co.uk
Great read and a fab howling V8 soundtrack;)www.ferrari360modena.co.uk
Edited by Kyodo on Friday 30th December 18:13
I'd forgotten how narrow the Furka is on that side. We did the obligatory Belvedere Hotel photo stop on the way down also. Susten is just a fab road to drive. There was a group of Brit TVRs in the summit car park on our trip - Sept 7th 2013. It wasn't fun at all though crossing it next day on the way to Italy via the Splugenpass, drizzle and cloud limiting visibilty to 50yards
Defo head down via Lux then Saarbrucken and decide to either head south on the Route des le Cretes (French Vosge Mountains) or head to Baden Baden and B500 German Side ( Good stop is Pension Williams and ask for a ride to the Steak House top of the hill, drink beer & Snaps with the Freulein owner) Then head to Interlaken and do the Andermatt loop. At the top of the Grimsel turn off thru the car park to the traffic lights and go to the glacier
Stay away from Lake Constance its a car park
Stay away from Lake Constance its a car park
G Man said:
Defo head down via Lux then Saarbrucken and decide to either head south on the Route des le Cretes (French Vosge Mountains) or head to Baden Baden and B500 German Side ( Good stop is Pension Williams and ask for a ride to the Steak House top of the hill, drink beer & Snaps with the Freulein owner) Then head to Interlaken and do the Andermatt loop. At the top of the Grimsel turn off thru the car park to the traffic lights and go to the glacier
+1Hi chaps - if you fly into Geneva, Lausanne is nicer to stay in and not so expensive
May also be worth heading down towards interlaken and approaching from that way; otherwise it is a long time on the motorway.
Passes normally close in October / September is normally ok.
Agree Stelvio is not the best, but the road to get there from Davos is awesome.
Would also recommend a detour to the Black Forest on the way back - great roads, no traffic, lower speeding fines
May also be worth heading down towards interlaken and approaching from that way; otherwise it is a long time on the motorway.
Passes normally close in October / September is normally ok.
Agree Stelvio is not the best, but the road to get there from Davos is awesome.
Would also recommend a detour to the Black Forest on the way back - great roads, no traffic, lower speeding fines
pulled this together for a mate as a good route to do
I live near Zurich so have done all of these plus a few others
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Zurich+Airport,+...
I live near Zurich so have done all of these plus a few others
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Zurich+Airport,+...
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