Critique my road trip of the Alps to Monaco!
Discussion
We're planning on heading from Innsbruck to Monaco in a Challenge Stradale and C4S.
We plan on taking the motorail from Dusseldorf to Innsbruck to cut out the long motorway down.
Both are fairly wide cars, so whilst we all enjoy passes, we're keenest on flowing twisties, rather than crawling up and down them pressed to the mountain to let traffic through!
As a reference, roads like the Evo triangle are perfect. Fast and sweeping, with some very nice tight bends.
Therefore, I've plotted a route that seems to make sense from reading many posts here on PH. However, at this stage I would be very grateful if you would have a look at my route and let me know:
1. Is there any really good that I am missing? If so, please could you suggest where and after which place? - As in, where should it slot in.
2. Is there anything I am doing that I should skip?
3. Not sure where to stop and spend the night.
4. Recommendations for restaurants, hotels, things to do would be great.
5. Any general comments would be great too.
6. What direction is better? Start from Monaco or Innsbruck?
The general plan is to enjoy about 4/5 hours of spirited driving a day if possible, and then spend the rest of the day in a nice place, eating good food and relaxing. We've got girlies with so it's not going to be a full on sleep deprived, adrenaline fueled trip!
Thanks again everyone.
1. Innsbruck to St Moritz (vai Fluela and Albula Passes)
2. St Moritz (w/passes) to Lake Como
3. Lake Como to Turin
4. Turin to Monte Carlo (is there anywhere good to stop on the Route Napoleon for the night?)
We plan on taking the motorail from Dusseldorf to Innsbruck to cut out the long motorway down.
Both are fairly wide cars, so whilst we all enjoy passes, we're keenest on flowing twisties, rather than crawling up and down them pressed to the mountain to let traffic through!
As a reference, roads like the Evo triangle are perfect. Fast and sweeping, with some very nice tight bends.
Therefore, I've plotted a route that seems to make sense from reading many posts here on PH. However, at this stage I would be very grateful if you would have a look at my route and let me know:
1. Is there any really good that I am missing? If so, please could you suggest where and after which place? - As in, where should it slot in.
2. Is there anything I am doing that I should skip?
3. Not sure where to stop and spend the night.
4. Recommendations for restaurants, hotels, things to do would be great.
5. Any general comments would be great too.
6. What direction is better? Start from Monaco or Innsbruck?
The general plan is to enjoy about 4/5 hours of spirited driving a day if possible, and then spend the rest of the day in a nice place, eating good food and relaxing. We've got girlies with so it's not going to be a full on sleep deprived, adrenaline fueled trip!
Thanks again everyone.
1. Innsbruck to St Moritz (vai Fluela and Albula Passes)
2. St Moritz (w/passes) to Lake Como
3. Lake Como to Turin
4. Turin to Monte Carlo (is there anywhere good to stop on the Route Napoleon for the night?)
Edited by AdvocatusD on Friday 7th February 16:35
Can't really see yr map clearly on phone but seems you are missing the klausenpass, this should not be missed!
Id go from there down to andermatt then oberallpass luckmanier pass back up via st gothard pass then circle the susten grimsel & furka down to simplonpass & turn back & do it on the return then back to yr route
Id go from there down to andermatt then oberallpass luckmanier pass back up via st gothard pass then circle the susten grimsel & furka down to simplonpass & turn back & do it on the return then back to yr route
iguana said:
Can't really see yr map clearly on phone but seems you are missing the klausenpass, this should not be missed!
Id go from there down to andermatt then oberallpass luckmanier pass back up via st gothard pass then circle the susten grimsel & furka down to simplonpass & turn back & do it on the return then back to yr route
Thanks for your reply mate. I've incorporated your suggestion into a new route (in my original post).Id go from there down to andermatt then oberallpass luckmanier pass back up via st gothard pass then circle the susten grimsel & furka down to simplonpass & turn back & do it on the return then back to yr route
If you really wanted to hit the jackpot, try and divert via the Route des Grandes Alpes in France. Years ago I posted my experience of this & others have done since. There is an IGN (French equivalent of the Ordnance Survey) map that I picked up in Stanford's. The route goes from Lake Geneva to Menton (a very short stone's throw from Monaco) across some fantastic cols - many used regularly in the Tour de France. If you don't want to go all the way to Lake Geneva, I am sure you could pick it up two or three climbs in (but then you couldn't claim to have driven the whole route!)
Route includes a road that is contentiously claimed to be the highest road in Europe.
In high season, it is best to get up early to beat the shed-draggers & cyclists if you want fun without being too anti-social. It took me a couple of days of spirited driving with stops to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Definitely a route for any Ph-ers' bucket list.
Finally, a tip I picked up from a French friend years ago - consider undoing your seatbelt if you are going to hoon in the mountains. Logic is that if you over-cook it, being strapped in means that you will be a passenger as your p & j disappears over the edge, unbelted you may get thrown clear!
Route includes a road that is contentiously claimed to be the highest road in Europe.
In high season, it is best to get up early to beat the shed-draggers & cyclists if you want fun without being too anti-social. It took me a couple of days of spirited driving with stops to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Definitely a route for any Ph-ers' bucket list.
Finally, a tip I picked up from a French friend years ago - consider undoing your seatbelt if you are going to hoon in the mountains. Logic is that if you over-cook it, being strapped in means that you will be a passenger as your p & j disappears over the edge, unbelted you may get thrown clear!
dazren said:
Day two near Andermatt. You have nearby the Susten, Grimsel, Furka, Gotthard and Nuffenenpass. They are all worth doing but I strongly recommend trying to include the Sustenpass and the Nuffenenpass. Two of the greatest passes in Europe IMHO.
Nufenenpass is and all time favourite, especially going from Gottard heading west. Having said that, he does have the Oberalp and Lukmainerpass on the route and both are a lot of fun and less busy the better know ones.Merp said:
Sounds like a cracking trip! When are you planning to start? I Live in Innsbruck but ive not done much driving out that way! Driving over the Fernpass is quite a good route, it makes a 4 hour drive to Stuttgart a bit more bearable occasionally!
I am taking the Fernpass en route to St Anton in 4 weeks. Bit of a detour but it means I get to pick up some Frankisch beer as well 
dazren said:
Option 1a easy route. Forget the tunnel/train? to Klosters, do what was the return road (Fluela pass) NW to Davos, Travel SW, then pick up the Albula pass over to St Moritz.
Hi Dazren, been a while since we've been on the same thread! I've updated my original post with a new .jpeg of 1) Innsbruck to St MortizCould you take a look at that and tell me if that is what you meant? If not, could you knock up a quick snip of a Google Map?
Sorry can't remember how to do screen grabs. 
The replacement map doesn't show the route I'm recommending.
Don't turn off the 27 to take the tunnel etc to Klosters.
Take the 27 a bit further South West to "Susch".
Take the 28 Fluelapass North West to "Davos".
From Davos head South West to just past "Alvaneu".
Then head South East towards "Bergun".
Keep on following road to Albulapass.
At "La Punt - Chamues" turn right onto the 27 heading South West to St Moritz.
Hope this helps.
cheers.
DAZ
The replacement map doesn't show the route I'm recommending.
Don't turn off the 27 to take the tunnel etc to Klosters.
Take the 27 a bit further South West to "Susch".
Take the 28 Fluelapass North West to "Davos".
From Davos head South West to just past "Alvaneu".
Then head South East towards "Bergun".
Keep on following road to Albulapass.
At "La Punt - Chamues" turn right onto the 27 heading South West to St Moritz.
Hope this helps.
cheers.
DAZ
dazren said:
Sorry can't remember how to do screen grabs.
The replacement map doesn't show the route I'm recommending.
Don't turn off the 27 to take the tunnel etc to Klosters.
Take the 27 a bit further South West to "Susch".
Take the 28 Fluelapass North West to "Davos".
From Davos head South West to just past "Alvaneu".
Then head South East towards "Bergun".
Keep on following road to Albulapass.
At "La Punt - Chamues" turn right onto the 27 heading South West to St Moritz.
Hugely helpful! Thanks! Is this it? The replacement map doesn't show the route I'm recommending.
Don't turn off the 27 to take the tunnel etc to Klosters.
Take the 27 a bit further South West to "Susch".
Take the 28 Fluelapass North West to "Davos".
From Davos head South West to just past "Alvaneu".
Then head South East towards "Bergun".
Keep on following road to Albulapass.
At "La Punt - Chamues" turn right onto the 27 heading South West to St Moritz.
Here you go. This guy is doing the albula in the opposite direction you'll be doing it. Gives a good idea of the road, corners, scenery etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLfA-uPih7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLfA-uPih7c
You are doing the Klausen in the right direction IMO. Just be careful when coming down towards Altdorf as some of the corners can be deceptive. The road is also very narrow in places but the views are stunning. The initial part of the Oberalp will be boring as you drive up through a village but it gets better further along. Watch your speed as it is very flowing in places and you can easily touch 120 plus.
Keep your eyes peeled in Disentis as it can be easy to miss the right hand turn that leads to the Lukemainer. This pass has a couple of villages that you will pass through but is a lot of fun to drive, especially after you are on the other side of the lake. The restaurant is a good place to grab some lunch or a coffee.
Keep your eyes peeled in Disentis as it can be easy to miss the right hand turn that leads to the Lukemainer. This pass has a couple of villages that you will pass through but is a lot of fun to drive, especially after you are on the other side of the lake. The restaurant is a good place to grab some lunch or a coffee.
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