Alpine passes

[MrGman]

In three weeks time i'm heading off with a few friends on a 10 day road trip, the plan is a trackday at Spa followed by about 6 days in and around the alps (Switzerland/Italy/Austria) then up to the ring for a couple of days.

Pretty much everything is sorted but i want to make sure we get the most out of our time in the alps, the passes i've got pencilled in are as follows
Susten pass
Grimsel Pass
Furka Pass
Klausen Pass
Fluela Pass
A'lbula Pass
Julier Pass
Foscagno Pass
Stelvio Pass
Umbrail Pass
Ofen Pass
Jeufen Pass
Rombo Pass
Edelweisspitze
Grossglockner
Mendel Pass

Are there any passes that are a must that i have not put on the list? Also which ones mentioned are musts and which ones are best left out if time is an issue?

Any info greatly appreciated

MrGman

[angryS3owner]

Furka pass was the most impressive one we did, however we didn't do all of those on your list by a long way!

[DIW35]

Have only done the Susten, Grimsel and Furka from your list, as well as the St Gottard which is nearby. Can heartily recommend all of these.

[krallicious]

Try and do the passes at first light if possible as lots of people who drive the passes only do so for the view (i.e. they drive bloody slowly). Watch out for the tunnels in Swissland as they sometimes contain hidden cameras. Also the Swiss police have been speed checking as you exit tunnels and pulling people over. Have fun though. We have some of the best driving roads in Europe here!

[Clutch boy]

You could add Mont Cenis & Col de San Bernard to that fine list.

[v15ben]

Don't forget San Bernardino and I'd also echo the comments about beating the scenery lovers up the passes. We followed a bloke up the Stelvio at about 4mph with a 911 and M Coupe in the queue behind and he seemed to be speeding up so no-one could pass on the very few straights!

[Jack Butcher]

Looks like a fantastic list to me There are a couple of lesser known gems near the Stelvio. Check out the Fraele Pass about 10 minutes west of Bormio for lots of hairpins. Also check out the Gavia Pass which is about 25 minutes South East of Bormio. Both are smaller roads, but superb if you hit them empty!!! Have a great trip and be sure to post some pics.

Edited by Jack Butcher on Tuesday 23 June 09:33

[v15ben]

Looks like we did the Gavia Pass without realising
Top road, especially racing against the locals

[RainerM]

Hallo
Actually we are having rather bad weather here, so you must check the road-conditions, snow is always a possibility :-(, most passes
have signs about the conditions of the road, tourist-offices should also know...
Enjoy your trip.
We wish you lots of fun :-))
Rainer and Dot

[krallicious]

Over the last couple of days the alps seem to have more snow on them! Not too surprising I suppose as it was 8 degrees at 700m the other day!

[minimoog]

Jack Butcher said:

Also check out the Gavia Pass

I think they've upgraded it a bit since this (tunneled past the worst bits?), but even so...

[Fort Jefferson]

If you are doing the Julia pass, you may as well do the Maloja pass.

They are both first class.

[MrGman]

Excellent, cheers for the other suggestions.

I have been watching the weather very closely and it is slightly worrying, i'm away for ten days in total so hopefully i'll see a few nice days at least!! (if not i've decided i might treat myself to another trip in september!!)

MrGman

[Jack Butcher]

minimoog said:

Jack Butcher said:

Also check out the Gavia Pass

I think they've upgraded it a bit since this (tunneled past the worst bits?), but even so...

This is some of the old pass from like 100 years ago. People still use it as a walking/mountain biking route up to the top of the mountain. The modern road is very different.

[Jack Butcher]

[Jack Butcher]

[Jack Butcher]

[Jack Butcher]

[Jack Butcher]

There are some pics of what the road looks like now. It is tight so as mentioned above try and hit it empty. It is light in the summer at 5 in the morning. That is when single track passes need to be hit. Worth the effort, the views from the top are stunning.

[Shinobi]

What cars are you guys doing it in? I always find that very interesting.... i'll get my anorak