Road trip swiss alps 2023 - suggestions
Discussion
Hi all,
I planned to do a road trip to the swiss alps in 2020 but youknowwhat came in between. So decided to go somewhere in May/June 2023 for about a week (7-9 days).
I have been checking different websites and forums to find out the most beautiful passes to drive to and landscapes to see but wanted to get some feedback from forum users as well, preferably recent, as some information I found may be outdated.
I will be leaving from Antwerp (B) and drive my 2009MY DB9 towards Switzerland either via France or Germany. Would like to stay in a hotel or B&B for 2 to 3 days in a row to avoid packing and unpacking every day. So basically, will probably need no more than 3 locations to stay. Suggestions I am looking for:
1. Locations: interesting passes (eg Furkapass) which don't have too much traffic and offer nice landscapes. I also plan to do a bit of hiking/walking so as not to spend all day in the car, so interesting visits to mountain tops can be included. Will they all be open in May?
2. Lodging: not looking for 5* hotels but good value for money accommodations, with good bed, friendly service, private parking, preferably quiet location and nice views. An extra would be sauna or swimming pool.
3. Car: anything I should think about (extra oil?). I plan to use the backseats to put two backpacks, put a trolley in the boot and some additional stuff (walking shoes etc...).
All suggestions (also links) welcome including in French or German (I speak both). Hope no interruptions this year ;-)
Cheers,
Frank
PS: as a fan of the Bond movies, any locations linked to the movies are also welcome.... Will be visiting the 'Bond in Motion' expo in Brussels shortly :-)
https://007brussels.com/en/
I planned to do a road trip to the swiss alps in 2020 but youknowwhat came in between. So decided to go somewhere in May/June 2023 for about a week (7-9 days).
I have been checking different websites and forums to find out the most beautiful passes to drive to and landscapes to see but wanted to get some feedback from forum users as well, preferably recent, as some information I found may be outdated.
I will be leaving from Antwerp (B) and drive my 2009MY DB9 towards Switzerland either via France or Germany. Would like to stay in a hotel or B&B for 2 to 3 days in a row to avoid packing and unpacking every day. So basically, will probably need no more than 3 locations to stay. Suggestions I am looking for:
1. Locations: interesting passes (eg Furkapass) which don't have too much traffic and offer nice landscapes. I also plan to do a bit of hiking/walking so as not to spend all day in the car, so interesting visits to mountain tops can be included. Will they all be open in May?
2. Lodging: not looking for 5* hotels but good value for money accommodations, with good bed, friendly service, private parking, preferably quiet location and nice views. An extra would be sauna or swimming pool.
3. Car: anything I should think about (extra oil?). I plan to use the backseats to put two backpacks, put a trolley in the boot and some additional stuff (walking shoes etc...).
All suggestions (also links) welcome including in French or German (I speak both). Hope no interruptions this year ;-)
Cheers,
Frank
PS: as a fan of the Bond movies, any locations linked to the movies are also welcome.... Will be visiting the 'Bond in Motion' expo in Brussels shortly :-)
https://007brussels.com/en/
It ain’t quite Switzerland, but my suggestion would be Cortina, as done by Harry
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CsMUx26BeF0&si=EnS...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CsMUx26BeF0&si=EnS...
I did this trip a number of years ago.
UK to Baden Baden
Drive south on the Black Forest High Road and into Switzerland down to Interlaken/Meringen
Over the Furka Pass and into Italy, Riva Del Garda. Then Verona.
Headed west to Nice and back home via the Route Napoleon, Grenoble and Beaune.
We did not book any accommodation but just found hotels along the way. Longest we stopped was 3 nights in Riva. The rest were one-nighters.
UK to Baden Baden
Drive south on the Black Forest High Road and into Switzerland down to Interlaken/Meringen
Over the Furka Pass and into Italy, Riva Del Garda. Then Verona.
Headed west to Nice and back home via the Route Napoleon, Grenoble and Beaune.
We did not book any accommodation but just found hotels along the way. Longest we stopped was 3 nights in Riva. The rest were one-nighters.
john ryan said:
Black Forest high road has/had nuisance speed restrictions, but +1 for Route Napoleon. The German Alpine Road links Lake Constance with Salzburg, and is a very scenic way of getting east/west between high passes.
Isn't the Route Napoleon what driving an Aston is all about ? We did it in September. Wonderful. Stopped at a great hotel in Uriage Les Bains (just outside Grenoble) called Grand Hotel and Spa Uriage. The following night we stopped at Hotel Cep in Beaune. Another terrific place to stay in the centre of the wonderful town. I drove a great route in June.
Calais to Reim Circuit (I know a cliche but still a joy to visit)
From Reim great roads to Colmar in France but on the edge of Switzerland I stayed in the Hotel L’Europe.
Colmar down passed Lake Lucerne and onto a route to Andermatt via the susten, grimsel and furka passes, ticking the bond (gold finger boxes) along the way. I stopped in the Raddison Blu which benefited from underground secure parking and car washing facilities.
From Andermatt up over the gottard pass and across Switzerland via the neufened pass and grand St Bernard into Italy.
Came back into France via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. I had to head home from there so stopped in Saint Georges and the Vign Appart. It was an epic trip and route. With more time I would of dropped down into the Italian lakes.
I carry 2-3 1ltr bottles of the correct oil, water, tyre weld and a fire stick. Have only ever needed oil. I do carry a copy of my insurance, driving licence and have European breakdown cover, which I’ve not needed. I also carry a yellow high viz jacket, a notional pack of spare bulbs and the stickers you put on your headlights to correct the left dipping (which I don’t fit) to nod to the police expectations. I have a UK sticker on my rear plate as well. And most importantly a tag for the tolls to save stopping/mucking about at the booths.
I keep to 70-85 on the autoroutes. Absolutely to speedlimits in any built up areas. And ring its neck in the mountains which in a v12 is joyous.
22 was an epic trip. For ‘23 I have booked the Plymouth-Santander ferry for June next year. My plan is to drive the N260 for the length of the Pyrenees and then across Cote D’azure to Mont Ventoux across to to the Route Napoleon and down to Grasse into the Alps through the red gorge north to Gap and back onto the RNP to Grenoble before the big trek home through France to the Eurotunnel.. can’t wait.
Just get an old fashioned map and aim at the wiggly bits !
Calais to Reim Circuit (I know a cliche but still a joy to visit)
From Reim great roads to Colmar in France but on the edge of Switzerland I stayed in the Hotel L’Europe.
Colmar down passed Lake Lucerne and onto a route to Andermatt via the susten, grimsel and furka passes, ticking the bond (gold finger boxes) along the way. I stopped in the Raddison Blu which benefited from underground secure parking and car washing facilities.
From Andermatt up over the gottard pass and across Switzerland via the neufened pass and grand St Bernard into Italy.
Came back into France via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. I had to head home from there so stopped in Saint Georges and the Vign Appart. It was an epic trip and route. With more time I would of dropped down into the Italian lakes.
I carry 2-3 1ltr bottles of the correct oil, water, tyre weld and a fire stick. Have only ever needed oil. I do carry a copy of my insurance, driving licence and have European breakdown cover, which I’ve not needed. I also carry a yellow high viz jacket, a notional pack of spare bulbs and the stickers you put on your headlights to correct the left dipping (which I don’t fit) to nod to the police expectations. I have a UK sticker on my rear plate as well. And most importantly a tag for the tolls to save stopping/mucking about at the booths.
I keep to 70-85 on the autoroutes. Absolutely to speedlimits in any built up areas. And ring its neck in the mountains which in a v12 is joyous.
22 was an epic trip. For ‘23 I have booked the Plymouth-Santander ferry for June next year. My plan is to drive the N260 for the length of the Pyrenees and then across Cote D’azure to Mont Ventoux across to to the Route Napoleon and down to Grasse into the Alps through the red gorge north to Gap and back onto the RNP to Grenoble before the big trek home through France to the Eurotunnel.. can’t wait.
Just get an old fashioned map and aim at the wiggly bits !
One nice trip:
We started in the Black Forest in Donaueschingen (2 nights at Oeschberghof),
crossed the border in Schaffhausen, visited the Rhine Falls (Europe’s biggest waterfall),
continued to Zürich and met friends (another night in a hotel after just 100 km),
Next day along the Obersee, Biberbrugg, Schwyz, Flüelen, Wassen. From there we crossed the Susten-Pass
towards Innertkirchen. From there south crossing the Grimsel-Pass, down to the Grand Hotel Glacier du Rhône.
From there we wanted to take the Furka-Pass - which was closed due to snow early September.
Therefore I would propose to plan for end of June to avoid any problems with snow / closed roads.
We continued the route along the Rhone a bit south and took the Nufenenpass. Next: San Gottardo.
From there we continued to the Lago Maggiore (Locarno / Ascona, approx 300 km this day).
The next day we went to Lugano, Como (Italy), Lecco, north to Mandello del Lario (Moto Guzzi).
North crossing the Swiss border, towards St. Moritz.
Take the right towards Passo Bernina back into Italy (Tirano),
originally we planned to go south-east towards Tresenda, Edolo, the Passo-Gavia, Santa Caterina Valfurva,
but actually we took the short cut directly to Bormio.
Passo dello Stelvio down towards Meran, (400 - 500 km, corresponds to 7 or 9 hours of driving).
The next day Schluderns, Val Müstair, Ofenpass, Flüela, Davos, Vaduz, Konstanz was easy again.
We started in the Black Forest in Donaueschingen (2 nights at Oeschberghof),
crossed the border in Schaffhausen, visited the Rhine Falls (Europe’s biggest waterfall),
continued to Zürich and met friends (another night in a hotel after just 100 km),
Next day along the Obersee, Biberbrugg, Schwyz, Flüelen, Wassen. From there we crossed the Susten-Pass
towards Innertkirchen. From there south crossing the Grimsel-Pass, down to the Grand Hotel Glacier du Rhône.
From there we wanted to take the Furka-Pass - which was closed due to snow early September.
Therefore I would propose to plan for end of June to avoid any problems with snow / closed roads.
We continued the route along the Rhone a bit south and took the Nufenenpass. Next: San Gottardo.
From there we continued to the Lago Maggiore (Locarno / Ascona, approx 300 km this day).
The next day we went to Lugano, Como (Italy), Lecco, north to Mandello del Lario (Moto Guzzi).
North crossing the Swiss border, towards St. Moritz.
Take the right towards Passo Bernina back into Italy (Tirano),
originally we planned to go south-east towards Tresenda, Edolo, the Passo-Gavia, Santa Caterina Valfurva,
but actually we took the short cut directly to Bormio.
Passo dello Stelvio down towards Meran, (400 - 500 km, corresponds to 7 or 9 hours of driving).
The next day Schluderns, Val Müstair, Ofenpass, Flüela, Davos, Vaduz, Konstanz was easy again.
What I’d encourage is try and get onto the less famous passes, the Neufenen id never heard of but is outstanding, susten and Grimsel great too and get timing right and are quiet.
I’d miss likes of Stelvio bar box ticking as it’s not actually that amazing to drive, obviously looks amazing.
I’d miss likes of Stelvio bar box ticking as it’s not actually that amazing to drive, obviously looks amazing.
Re the JB theme, last summer on our way back from the dolomites passed through the TIMMELSJOCH pass down to Solden where it features the James Bond exhibition from the spectre movie. All set next to the restaurant with decent food on top of the mountain that featured in the same movie.
https://soelden.blog/en/james-bond/
https://soelden.blog/en/james-bond/
MJN53 said:
I'd seriously recommend a visit to Lauterbrunnen to pick up the cablecar up to Piz Gloria at the top of Mount Schilthorn where much of OHMSS was filmed and the 007 exhibition up there is top notch with a decent restaurant too. After descending visit the Trummelbach Falls nearby.
I did that in September. Think you’re over promising on the restaurant, the 007 Burger (yes it has to be done) was ok but not particularly good.And the cable car return ticket was around 100 euro pp.
Good to do but I wouldn’t rush back for sure.
To the OP - a great central place to stay in Switzerland for the great/famous passes is Andermatt. I have stayed there touring on bikes and in cars. Plenty of cheap accommodation and food/bars, or if you want luxury the Chedi is one of if not the best hotel I have ever stayed in and would go back in a heartbeat, simply superb on every level.
As an itinerary to get there I like to go through France and stay somewhere in the Champagne region, and then head east and stay on Lake Constance, then pick up the road to Andermatt coming in from the NE, great little drive in.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/wV554rui.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/osxS4U2H" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/osxS4U2H.jpg)
Edited by M1AGM on Sunday 5th February 14:33
Edited by M1AGM on Sunday 5th February 14:35
Hi Frank,
I drive those mountain roads often (all three weeks aprox) every year and there is absolutely no problem apart of a bit heavy traffic on the weekends. Tips:
Sustenpass: start from West to East, Furka: road is not the best one, Gotthard; the old road (Tremola) South to north is a challenge for you steering rubbers, but nice, Nufenen: spectacular Sceenery up there, Grimsel: one ot the best, Bernina; from South to North stupendous, Albula: also top scenery, sometimes a bit small road but a must, Maloja: looks good but for driving not sooo funny.
Hotels/ Motels: no problem.
Precautions: drive max. 5 miles above Speedlimit and no problem at all.
If you want further details, email me: rich.kamm@gmx.net
best regs, Ritchie from Switzerland
I drive those mountain roads often (all three weeks aprox) every year and there is absolutely no problem apart of a bit heavy traffic on the weekends. Tips:
Sustenpass: start from West to East, Furka: road is not the best one, Gotthard; the old road (Tremola) South to north is a challenge for you steering rubbers, but nice, Nufenen: spectacular Sceenery up there, Grimsel: one ot the best, Bernina; from South to North stupendous, Albula: also top scenery, sometimes a bit small road but a must, Maloja: looks good but for driving not sooo funny.
Hotels/ Motels: no problem.
Precautions: drive max. 5 miles above Speedlimit and no problem at all.
If you want further details, email me: rich.kamm@gmx.net
best regs, Ritchie from Switzerland
Regarding travelling route throu the Swiss Alps, I write here a suggestion for anybody (not only for Frank). As I drive those roads frequently during every year (with cars and bikes), I think I can handle the aspects from the user side.
day one: entring Switzerland from the north, either Basle or Schaffhausen, I recommend using the B500 throu the Black forrest in Germany. Then driving motorway passing Zurich in direction Chur. Get off the motorway a Landquart and drive the normal road (not the tunnels) up to Davos. Turn left an drive the FLÜELA PASS, entring the Engadinvalley. In Zernez take a left and drive the OFENPASS untill Santa Maria, turn right to the UMBRAILPASS. At the top, you enter Italy, turn midright and descend the STELVIO Northside to Bormio. From there use the old street (not the tunnels) throu the Valtelllinavalley to Tirano, Turn right towards the Poschiavo Valley.
Spend the night in the sweet Albergo Miralago in Miralago right on the lake.
day two: From Miralago you drive the BERNINAPASS back to Engadinvalley. Make a short step to St. Moritz. Then drive to Samedan further eastisde and go left to the ALBULAPAS, drive to Thusis, have a look at the Via Mala Canyon, then drive the SAN BERNARDINO PASS (not the tunnel), descend to Ticino Canton and drive the old street (not the motorway) to Bellinzona. There you turn right and drive northway to Biasca, where you go slight right up to the LUKMANIERPASS. Passing the Lukmanier, take a sharp left to Sedrun and ride the OBERALP PASS reaching the village of Andermatt.
day three: from Andermatt go west and in Hospental take a left to th GOTTHARD PASS, use the old street despite the cobblestones and go south to Airolo. There take a right throu the Bedrettovalley and drive the NUFENEN PASS. Arriving in the Wallisvalley in Ulrichen, turn right up to Gletsch and there you turn left up to the GRIMSEL PASS. Drive the Grimsel and arriving in Innertkirchen, turn right to the SUSTENPASS. You arrive in Wassen, where you turn left the old road to Altdorf, turn right to the KLAUSENPASS. Drive throu the Glarnerland to Näfels, turn right up to Filzbach where you stay at the Hotel Römerturm (fantastic scenery).
day four: Descend from the Kerenzerberg westway and follow the normaload to Siebnen, take a left up to the SATTELEGG, drive to Willerzell and take a left to Yberg, then drive the IBERGEREGG reaching the village of Schwyz. Go halfsouth to Brunnen, drive along the Northside of Vierwaldstättersee to Weggis untill Lucerne. Go south to Sarnen and then follow the road to Interlaken (not the tunnels). Passing BRÜNIG PASS, drive to Interlaken on the Northside of lake Brienz. Also the lake of Thun, take the Northsideroad.
Back home via Berne and Balse.
I think that after this trip you have seen the Swiss Alps enough. Be informed, that some roads are really curvy, so for untrained people: drive carefully, sometimes it is curve after curve AND STAY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. I did not mention some other Passes due to terrible street or sometimes really small roads. (such as the Splügenpass which has tight not illuminated tunnels)
Hoping for good weather... Ritchie
day one: entring Switzerland from the north, either Basle or Schaffhausen, I recommend using the B500 throu the Black forrest in Germany. Then driving motorway passing Zurich in direction Chur. Get off the motorway a Landquart and drive the normal road (not the tunnels) up to Davos. Turn left an drive the FLÜELA PASS, entring the Engadinvalley. In Zernez take a left and drive the OFENPASS untill Santa Maria, turn right to the UMBRAILPASS. At the top, you enter Italy, turn midright and descend the STELVIO Northside to Bormio. From there use the old street (not the tunnels) throu the Valtelllinavalley to Tirano, Turn right towards the Poschiavo Valley.
Spend the night in the sweet Albergo Miralago in Miralago right on the lake.
day two: From Miralago you drive the BERNINAPASS back to Engadinvalley. Make a short step to St. Moritz. Then drive to Samedan further eastisde and go left to the ALBULAPAS, drive to Thusis, have a look at the Via Mala Canyon, then drive the SAN BERNARDINO PASS (not the tunnel), descend to Ticino Canton and drive the old street (not the motorway) to Bellinzona. There you turn right and drive northway to Biasca, where you go slight right up to the LUKMANIERPASS. Passing the Lukmanier, take a sharp left to Sedrun and ride the OBERALP PASS reaching the village of Andermatt.
day three: from Andermatt go west and in Hospental take a left to th GOTTHARD PASS, use the old street despite the cobblestones and go south to Airolo. There take a right throu the Bedrettovalley and drive the NUFENEN PASS. Arriving in the Wallisvalley in Ulrichen, turn right up to Gletsch and there you turn left up to the GRIMSEL PASS. Drive the Grimsel and arriving in Innertkirchen, turn right to the SUSTENPASS. You arrive in Wassen, where you turn left the old road to Altdorf, turn right to the KLAUSENPASS. Drive throu the Glarnerland to Näfels, turn right up to Filzbach where you stay at the Hotel Römerturm (fantastic scenery).
day four: Descend from the Kerenzerberg westway and follow the normaload to Siebnen, take a left up to the SATTELEGG, drive to Willerzell and take a left to Yberg, then drive the IBERGEREGG reaching the village of Schwyz. Go halfsouth to Brunnen, drive along the Northside of Vierwaldstättersee to Weggis untill Lucerne. Go south to Sarnen and then follow the road to Interlaken (not the tunnels). Passing BRÜNIG PASS, drive to Interlaken on the Northside of lake Brienz. Also the lake of Thun, take the Northsideroad.
Back home via Berne and Balse.
I think that after this trip you have seen the Swiss Alps enough. Be informed, that some roads are really curvy, so for untrained people: drive carefully, sometimes it is curve after curve AND STAY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. I did not mention some other Passes due to terrible street or sometimes really small roads. (such as the Splügenpass which has tight not illuminated tunnels)
Hoping for good weather... Ritchie
Some great suggestions above which i have taken a note of 
Definitely intend taking my newly aqcuired SP10 into the mountains. Already plan on doing the Dolomites later this year hopefully and usually cross the Alps down into Italy to see the in-laws at least once a year.
We did a Swiss Road trip in a group of old 911's a few years back and it was fantastic, some of the best driving roads and scenery you can wish for. Think i spent most of the time driving with my jaw firmly dropped. We went mid June and there was still snow on the higher landscape but the roads were perfectly clear.
Day 0, Friday June 19: arrive at Metz, France, Participants to make their own way to Metz
Day 1, Saturday June 20: Thionville to Hochenschwand, North Vosges National Park and Black Forest Route 500
Day 2, Sunday June 21: Hochenschwand to Andermatt, Black Forest, Klausen Pass, late afternoon optional extra
Day 3, Monday June 22: Andermatt to Oberwald, Susten, Grimsel, Furka (W to E), Oberalp, St Gotthard, Nufenen
Day 4, Tuesday June 23: Oberwald to Briancon, Grand St Bernard, Col D’Isleran, Col du Galibier
Day 5, Wednesday June 24: Briancon to Grasse,Col de la Bonnette, Route Napoleon
Day 6, Thursday June 25: Grasse to Annecy, Route Napoleon, Gorge du Verdon
Day 7, Friday June 26: depart for Home.
I still have the pdf of the route with maps and hotels if you want it, just pm me.
Definitely intend taking my newly aqcuired SP10 into the mountains. Already plan on doing the Dolomites later this year hopefully and usually cross the Alps down into Italy to see the in-laws at least once a year.We did a Swiss Road trip in a group of old 911's a few years back and it was fantastic, some of the best driving roads and scenery you can wish for. Think i spent most of the time driving with my jaw firmly dropped. We went mid June and there was still snow on the higher landscape but the roads were perfectly clear.
Day 0, Friday June 19: arrive at Metz, France, Participants to make their own way to Metz
Day 1, Saturday June 20: Thionville to Hochenschwand, North Vosges National Park and Black Forest Route 500
Day 2, Sunday June 21: Hochenschwand to Andermatt, Black Forest, Klausen Pass, late afternoon optional extra
Day 3, Monday June 22: Andermatt to Oberwald, Susten, Grimsel, Furka (W to E), Oberalp, St Gotthard, Nufenen
Day 4, Tuesday June 23: Oberwald to Briancon, Grand St Bernard, Col D’Isleran, Col du Galibier
Day 5, Wednesday June 24: Briancon to Grasse,Col de la Bonnette, Route Napoleon
Day 6, Thursday June 25: Grasse to Annecy, Route Napoleon, Gorge du Verdon
Day 7, Friday June 26: depart for Home.
I still have the pdf of the route with maps and hotels if you want it, just pm me.
I have just got back from a two week road trip to Italy in my V8S. On the way out I went across the Grimsel, Furka and Simplon passes (Sustenpass was still closed). On the way back I came through the Bernina and Abula passes. Although Furka (see photo) and Grimsel are spectacular they are, in my opinion, too tight and slow to really be fun to drive. The Bernina from south to north was the highlight for me - fast, sweeping curves, a great surface with good visibility.
I also came back north through the Black Forest. The scenery was lovely but the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse was almost entirely 70km/h limit, so hopeless as a fun driving road.
Anyway, whichever route you take, just do it, it’s so worth the trip. :-)
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