Another European route thread - please critique!

[Cabrony]

The below is my Alps trip I am planning for the end of July. I won't have the chance to do another one for some years (money, kids, house etc) let alone in anything close to my MK3 MR2 and it’s a big one to tick off my bucket list; consequently, I want to make the most of it!

I've planned a route I am happy with that takes in the best passes but want to know if there's any alternative routes to take or roads I could easily include? The route equates to 46 hours of driving/2200 miles. I’m conscious of not adding too many more miles for cost/time and already plan to camp to reduce cost.

I hope that by going late July the passes will be surrounded by greenery or can I still expect roads carved out of snow?

Anyway on to the route:



https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zCzGjhLJqV1...

In order the route is:
• Calais to Baden Baden (currently via France but don’t know whether to go via Belgium and Germany?)
• B500 – Germany
• Hahntennjoch – Austria
• Timmelsjoch – Austria
• San Leonardo Pass (SS44) - Italy
• Passo Del Tonale (SS42) - Italy
• Albula Pass – Switzerland (potentially skip and drive through Italy further before meeting up with the San Bernadino pass?)
• San Bernadino Pass – Switzerland
• Gothard Pass – Switzerland
• Furka Pass – Switzerland
• Grimsel Pass – Switzerland
• Susten Pass – Switzerland
• Klausen Pass – Switzerland
• Autobahn to Nurburgring (if I’m feeling brave - if not straight to Calais via Germany and Belgium)

Please let me know your thoughts or suggest any edits etc.

Thanks!

[Cabrony]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I hadn't really taken the weather into consideration or how quickly it could change at those heights, like you say the route is very pass heavy.

I did a portion of the B500 last year, not realising it was effectively split in two. It was a little busy and that was on a weekday, would be hitting it on a Saturday this time round too. Think I'll swap it out for Voseges in France - hadn't even considered it but the roads look impressive.

To be honest I'm very tempted to stay in France, do the Route des Grande Alps, Route Napoleon, Col de Turini, D21 etc etc instead.

Do you have any experience of the alpine passes vs the french roads?
Don't want to go all that way and sit in traffic, get stuck behind a motorhome or have to put the roof up due to snow! Also not too bothered about seeing things along the way as it's more about the roads.

[Cabrony]

Thanks for all the replies. You've really got me thinking now. Don't know whether to stick to France or do my planned route. I do love France as a country!
Some of the roads do look epic and it would probably be easier to camp.

[Cabrony]

mr pg said:

You have to do the Swiss passes!

As simple as that?
What about Route Napoleon, Route de Grande Alpes, D2, Col de Turini etc?

[Cabrony]

Or do the main central Swiss passes - Furka, Susten etc then across to Lake Geneva and down the route design grand alps to do some French passes?

[Cabrony]

krallicious said:

Skip Gottard and do the Nufenenpass and then onto the Grimsel.

Watch out for speed camers around Basel.

Don't follow the B500 as it is busy and there are quite a few speed traps.

Thank you, Nufenenpass has been added to the list.
B500 is being swapped out for roads in the Vosges mountains in France.