Alpine Pass and Ring advice
Discussion
Hi All
New to the forum and would appreciate any insight or help members are will to give.
The wife and I are off on Friday for a weeks holiday I've been planning on an off in my head for years... Very Excited! So, straight down to Italy on the Saturday, having a few days in the Northern Lakes, taking in a trip to Monza for my birthday and then heading back over the Alps and through Germany via the 'Ring to tick it off the bucket list (too many hours playing Gran Tourismo and driving round it).
The journey down is pretty much a mile munching affair (just bought a 335D coupe so hopefully ideal for the job). However the trip back should take three days, the first going over the alps and into Germany, the second at the ring and the third from there back to Dunkirk for the ferry.
So first query is what alpine passes should I look to be taking on the Saturday in the way out of Italy and our overnight stop near Karlsruhe. After that edition of TG I'd long planned to do the Stelvio pass but have since heard very mixed reviews and then found out it closes start of October so have instead been looking at:
A) Doing a loop near Andermat and taking in Gotthard, Furka, Grimsel and Susten passes before heading to Italy (Google suggests total drive time of 6hr 40 mins)
B) Doing a simular loop but instead taking in Neufen, Grimsel and Susten passes before heading to Italy (Google again suggests total drive time of 6hr 40 mins)
B) Doing the San Bernardino pass or Lukmainier pass
Am having trouble in checking that they'll all be open/clear this late in the year but one of the the first two look better as theres more flexibility/roads but am keen to get any thoughts on best route, if its too much for a day, roads will be hell at this time of year etc?
Second query is about the ring? Although I've spent many hours driving round it, i've never actually been there (thank you Gran Tourismo) so, having heard many comments aout giving it the respect it deserves Ive pretty much decided that the best solution is to rent something to do some aclimatisation laps in and then come back with the 335D/something else and some mates next year with a better feel for it all etc. That and the track day insurance for the 335D seems extortionate (i'm not doing it uninsured after seeing footage of the accident last weekend) when I'm already forking out for the rest ofthe holiday etc.. So far I've only found this place http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/index.html I'm keen to get any advice about a trip to the ring, if this company is any good etc...
Thanks for taking time to read this, any advice gratefully recieved.
Max
New to the forum and would appreciate any insight or help members are will to give.
The wife and I are off on Friday for a weeks holiday I've been planning on an off in my head for years... Very Excited! So, straight down to Italy on the Saturday, having a few days in the Northern Lakes, taking in a trip to Monza for my birthday and then heading back over the Alps and through Germany via the 'Ring to tick it off the bucket list (too many hours playing Gran Tourismo and driving round it).
The journey down is pretty much a mile munching affair (just bought a 335D coupe so hopefully ideal for the job). However the trip back should take three days, the first going over the alps and into Germany, the second at the ring and the third from there back to Dunkirk for the ferry.
So first query is what alpine passes should I look to be taking on the Saturday in the way out of Italy and our overnight stop near Karlsruhe. After that edition of TG I'd long planned to do the Stelvio pass but have since heard very mixed reviews and then found out it closes start of October so have instead been looking at:
A) Doing a loop near Andermat and taking in Gotthard, Furka, Grimsel and Susten passes before heading to Italy (Google suggests total drive time of 6hr 40 mins)
B) Doing a simular loop but instead taking in Neufen, Grimsel and Susten passes before heading to Italy (Google again suggests total drive time of 6hr 40 mins)
B) Doing the San Bernardino pass or Lukmainier pass
Am having trouble in checking that they'll all be open/clear this late in the year but one of the the first two look better as theres more flexibility/roads but am keen to get any thoughts on best route, if its too much for a day, roads will be hell at this time of year etc?
Second query is about the ring? Although I've spent many hours driving round it, i've never actually been there (thank you Gran Tourismo) so, having heard many comments aout giving it the respect it deserves Ive pretty much decided that the best solution is to rent something to do some aclimatisation laps in and then come back with the 335D/something else and some mates next year with a better feel for it all etc. That and the track day insurance for the 335D seems extortionate (i'm not doing it uninsured after seeing footage of the accident last weekend) when I'm already forking out for the rest ofthe holiday etc.. So far I've only found this place http://www.rent4ring.de/en/info/index.html I'm keen to get any advice about a trip to the ring, if this company is any good etc...
Thanks for taking time to read this, any advice gratefully recieved.
Max
Hello 
I can't help you with ring advice as I've never been.
In regards to alpine passes the Andermatt loop is a must I found it to be a great drive with the Furka, Grimsel, Nufenen and all as with the Lukmaner
pass. Whilst you are near there i suggest going to see the Versazca dam where the start of Goldeneye was filmed
it's very impressive.
Lucky you going to the Italian lakes they are a nice place to stay
I can't help you with ring advice as I've never been.
In regards to alpine passes the Andermatt loop is a must I found it to be a great drive with the Furka, Grimsel, Nufenen and all as with the Lukmaner
pass. Whilst you are near there i suggest going to see the Versazca dam where the start of Goldeneye was filmed
it's very impressive.
Lucky you going to the Italian lakes they are a nice place to stay
maxstanbury said:
Was about to write and say that I'd checked last week and they were all still open but just checked again and they're all now closed...
Oh b****er! Anyone got any other suggestions for good roads on the way out that will definately be open?
Its probably too late in the year to be going playing in the mountains to be honest - especially in a RWD BMW. Weather can change very quickly up there so if you do go anywhere like that suggest you have some snow chains in the boot somewhere (or winter tyres on!)Oh b****er! Anyone got any other suggestions for good roads on the way out that will definately be open?
Between northern Italy & Switzerland/Austria is just one continuous range of mountains. The main motorways (i.e. the New St Bernard pass road) should be open, not sure about anything else though. You should also be able to get through the Mont Blanc tunnel & that might be your best way into Northern Italy (about 35 yoyos a pop to go through the Tunnel I think
Beware the 2nd or 3rd lap round the 'Ring - that's where first timers usually "bin it" if they try too hard by all accounts. Weather there could be really crappy as well at this time of year though
Edited by IainZ on Monday 10th October 22:02
We were in Andermatt on September 19th, on the way down it was raining very heavily and this translated to snow on the passes.
After staying the night we woke up to find most of the passes closed but luckily they re-opened around lunchtime and we managed to do most of them. They were actively clearing them with snow ploughs but I'm not sure when they stop for the winter.
If you do get the chance the Andermatt loop is really good, I especially enjoyed the pass down from the Belvedere hotel heading West.
Later on in the trip the Stelvio pass was also closed from the top to Trafoi but we managed to do the other half ( lots of hairpins and tunnels ).
One hidden gem we found was the lake near Livigno. One of the passes was closed so we went through the Tunnel Munt La Schera, this is a one-way tunnel ( toll payable ). Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to upload images at the moment but if you search on Google for lake Livigno you will see what I mean.
Probably the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and I had no idea it was there! Well worth a visit.
After staying the night we woke up to find most of the passes closed but luckily they re-opened around lunchtime and we managed to do most of them. They were actively clearing them with snow ploughs but I'm not sure when they stop for the winter.
If you do get the chance the Andermatt loop is really good, I especially enjoyed the pass down from the Belvedere hotel heading West.
Later on in the trip the Stelvio pass was also closed from the top to Trafoi but we managed to do the other half ( lots of hairpins and tunnels ).
One hidden gem we found was the lake near Livigno. One of the passes was closed so we went through the Tunnel Munt La Schera, this is a one-way tunnel ( toll payable ). Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to upload images at the moment but if you search on Google for lake Livigno you will see what I mean.
Probably the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and I had no idea it was there! Well worth a visit.
Even the Grossglokner is shut due to adverse weather atm and they tend to keep that open well early November (toll road), so you might be struggling to find an interesting route open. Best bet is to keep checking on the 'net whilst you are in Italy. http://www.tcs.ch/main/de/home/verkehrsinfo/paesse...
As said the wrong time of the year to be going, hopefully the 'ring will be open for you.
As said the wrong time of the year to be going, hopefully the 'ring will be open for you.
Edited by skodamanpat on Tuesday 11th October 15:50
cay said:
We were in Andermatt on September 19th, on the way down it was raining very heavily and this translated to snow on the passes.
After staying the night we woke up to find most of the passes closed but luckily they re-opened around lunchtime and we managed to do most of them. They were actively clearing them with snow ploughs but I'm not sure when they stop for the winter.
If you do get the chance the Andermatt loop is really good, I especially enjoyed the pass down from the Belvedere hotel heading West.
Later on in the trip the Stelvio pass was also closed from the top to Trafoi but we managed to do the other half ( lots of hairpins and tunnels ).
One hidden gem we found was the lake near Livigno. One of the passes was closed so we went through the Tunnel Munt La Schera, this is a one-way tunnel ( toll payable ). Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to upload images at the moment but if you search on Google for lake Livigno you will see what I mean.
Probably the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and I had no idea it was there! Well worth a visit.
Went through Livigno on my trek this summer - has the added advantage of being duty free After staying the night we woke up to find most of the passes closed but luckily they re-opened around lunchtime and we managed to do most of them. They were actively clearing them with snow ploughs but I'm not sure when they stop for the winter.
If you do get the chance the Andermatt loop is really good, I especially enjoyed the pass down from the Belvedere hotel heading West.
Later on in the trip the Stelvio pass was also closed from the top to Trafoi but we managed to do the other half ( lots of hairpins and tunnels ).
One hidden gem we found was the lake near Livigno. One of the passes was closed so we went through the Tunnel Munt La Schera, this is a one-way tunnel ( toll payable ). Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to upload images at the moment but if you search on Google for lake Livigno you will see what I mean.
Probably the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and I had no idea it was there! Well worth a visit.
Cheapest petrol in Europe (around E1.25/£1.10 a litre for 98). The Crack Fox said:
I've just finished a story called "When it all goes horribly Nürburgwrong" on my blog here. It includes quite a bit of info on the various rental companies, I made a quick comparison table of who will rent you what etc
here. Jaco's Paddock have an interesting offer
Alternatively, try one of this lot, I can confirm that the
Exiges are fabulous...
[img]http://www.sucksqueezebangblow.
net/folder/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/RSR-Alfa-
versus-Lotus.jpg[/img]
Have fun
If you poke about on my site you'll
find 'mental rental adventures' section which might give you some inspiration for the Alpine passes too.
That made for a good read thanks for sharing here. Jaco's Paddock have an interesting offer
Alternatively, try one of this lot, I can confirm that the Exiges are fabulous...
[img]http://www.sucksqueezebangblow.
net/folder/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/RSR-Alfa-
versus-Lotus.jpg[/img]
Have fun
If you poke about on my site you'll
find 'mental rental adventures' section which might give you some inspiration for the Alpine passes too.
Edited by The Crack Fox on Tuesday 11th October 14:19
Edited by diddly69 on Tuesday 11th October 22:23
The Crack Fox said:
I've just finished a story called "When it all goes horribly Nürburgwrong" on my blog here. It includes quite a bit of info on the various rental companies, I made a quick comparison table of who will rent you what etc here. Jaco's Paddock have an interesting offer Alternatively, try one of this lot, I can confirm that the Exiges are fabulous...
Have fun
If you poke about on my site you'll find 'mental rental adventures' section which might give you some inspiration for the Alpine passes too.
Thanks for that Crack Fox - Makes an awesome read! Have spoken to almost all the rental companies you mention, including Jaco who sounds mad as a bag of snakes but had heard some so, so feedback on the forum. Current favourite is RSR, they've been real friendly and helpful and can do a RHD Clio 200 (manual gearbox on the right side of the car) for reasonable money on a half day rent. Think it'll make sense for my first trip to the ring... Alternatively, try one of this lot, I can confirm that the Exiges are fabulous...Have fun
If you poke about on my site you'll find 'mental rental adventures' section which might give you some inspiration for the Alpine passes too.
Edited by The Crack Fox on Tuesday 11th October 14:19
Now will start hunting about for that other article of yours too...
skodamanpat said:
Even the Grossglokner is shut due to adverse weather atm and they tend to keep that open well early November (toll road), so you might be struggling to find an interesting route open. Best bet is to keep checking on the 'net whilst you are in Italy. http://www.tcs.ch/main/de/home/verkehrsinfo/paesse...
As said the wrong time of the year to be going, hopefully the 'ring will be open for you.
Thanks, really appreciate the link. This site shows the San Bernardino as being open now so it looks like the situation is changeable. As you suggest, i'll take my laptop and see how things pan out... Thanks for the good advice.As said the wrong time of the year to be going, hopefully the 'ring will be open for you.
Edited by skodamanpat on Tuesday 11th October 15:50
Max
Thank you all for the help and the advice. The drive down was good and tackled a few mountain roads this week, driving the 'thin' roads around the lakes with the Italian drivers has been a test in 'how wide do you really think your car is...'
So, have been looking at the passes this afternoon and the Lukmainier is the only one currently open... Since its all that way (e.g E35 heading north towards Andermatt) think we'll get on the road and see whats what along the way, if they are open great, if not my plan b is make like a stabbed rat for Stuttgart and take in the Porsche Museum (thanks latest copy of EVO for the inspiration) before on to the ring and some laps on Saturday PM...
Will let you know how it goes... Thanks again for the help!
So, have been looking at the passes this afternoon and the Lukmainier is the only one currently open... Since its all that way (e.g E35 heading north towards Andermatt) think we'll get on the road and see whats what along the way, if they are open great, if not my plan b is make like a stabbed rat for Stuttgart and take in the Porsche Museum (thanks latest copy of EVO for the inspiration) before on to the ring and some laps on Saturday PM...
Will let you know how it goes... Thanks again for the help!
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