Switzerland Driving Roads- Gruyeres to Stelvio Pass

[StreetDragster]

Hi All
I am planning a big road trip for me and my mates, and one of the legs of the journey is across Switzerland, Left to Right, From Gruyeres to the Stelvio Pass.
Seeing as this is a driving holiday, is there any recommenadations for good roads or routes that we should use to get across the country?

Thanks

Matt

[bobsan]

no route help am afraid, expect someone along in a min though, have you got your vignette, slightly cheaper and saves boarder time buying online...

http://www.travel-swiss.co.uk/passes-motorway-vign...

[StreetDragster]

Thanks very much, will get that sorted out

[Furyblade_Lee]

I have done this a few time. We stay at the Paxmontana Hotel, Feuli Ranf, which is near the start of the Grimselpass. Awesome picturesque hotel, and they have adjacent apartment blocks with 6 bedrooms which we hire out, reasonable rates. Up the Grimelpass after breakfast, then head towards Davos via 4 passes or so then do the famous "Davos to Stelvio" via Klosters ski resort. You will hit the Stelvio evening time, after a drive so immense you actually realise the Stelvio not the best driving road... We tend to stay that night in the Italian town of Tirano, about 20 miles south of the Stelvio Pass. Full of Italian food, wine and women.... :-)

[StreetDragster]

Good stuff, thanks for the info, will definately try and get that in

We only have 1 day to get across Switzerland, before heading off to Munich

Thanks

Matt

[amzamz]

... my favourite driving in Switzerland is (1) Susten pass, (2) Bernina, South side only and (3) Umbrail, with some wonderful dirt road as in olden times! (1) is parallel to Grimsel, but much less traffic, better views (glacier) and better driving. (2) is near St.Moritz and (3) is just adjacent to Stelvio!

Be aware of opening times! When are you going? After June they are mostly open. For daily opening information check out this here (sorry, all in German). Should you intend to do Winter-like driving (April-May), use (2) Bernina in combination with Julier pass, Maloja and Pass dal Fuorn (Ofenpass). They are open early, and if you are lucky you will drive between huge walls of snow!

Bernina, March 2012, 7500 feet


Julier, March 2012


could have been anywhere... May 2009

Edited by amzamz on Wednesday 25th April 04:32

[StreetDragster]

Thanks, very helpful!!

I don't suppose you could point out which roads make up these passes?

We are travelling in early September

Thanks

Matt

[amzamz]

... no problem:

Gruyeres - Jaunpass - Spiez - Interlaken - Meiringen - Innertkirchen - SUSTEN pass - Wassen - Andermatt - Oberalp pass - Bonaduz - Tiefencastel - Albula pass - ...

variation A:
...- Zernez - Ofen pass (Fuorn) - Santa Maria (Mustair) - UMBRAIL pass - Stelvio

variation B:
...- Pontresina - BERNINA pass - Tirano - Bormio - Stelvio

Going I would prefer variation A, returning variation B. Please note that this is a long journey for good weather conditions. I would start at dawn, and have just short breaks. Spectacular photoshoot at Steinengletscher (glacier, use private road starting at guest house), and between there and Susten pass! And, pray for sunshine!!!

[StreetDragster]

Wow, information overload LOL

I'm not sure where any of those passes are at the moment, this is the route i had previously plotted base on the otheres recommendations, how would you vary it?



Thanks for all help

Matt

[DMarks46]

awesome trip, don't forget to post photos for us at home!

[StreetDragster]

Thanks

Its actually for my stag doo, 7 day jolt round Europe, fantastic

Matt

[AlanQ]

If you've the time to re-route point A to point B then it's worth a diversion to Stechelberg to catch the cable car to see Blofelds revolving restaurant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piz_Gloria

[GT 130]

Always wanted to do something like this, nice selection of info on this page. You can't beat hearing from others with previous experience that's for sure.