Rate this road trip

[dgowenlock]

Planning the best route to Le Mans seemed a pain, now I'm trying to plan an 8 day Alps trip.

Is this achievable in the time?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209787294043...

P.S. You have to click Page 2 at bottom of map to see second half...

[rsv gone!]

Day one on the autoroutes will see you at Saarbruken or Strasbourg; ready for the interesting stuff. That route is easily do-able in a car in that time.

[dgowenlock]

Thanks, was hoping to make it to Constance (Live in South London) for the first night but think that might be a bit of a stretch

[AJS-]

Very doable. If it was me I'd probably look to make it more circular, as it seems you're doubling back on yourself. Maybe a run down into northern Italy through the lovely Ticino valley, and over Mont Blanc, take in the Milau viaduct and see the med. Or one I did was go to east across northern Italy into the Dolomites and then up into Austria, into Germany near Munich and then a blast across the Autobahns.

[G Man]

If you are going to Saarbruken why use the paid Autoroutes, just go thru Belgium and Lux, same time just no tolls, enter the Black forest at Baden Baden and run the B500 to pick up your route

[dgowenlock]

Thanks guys, just booked hotel in Stelvio and saw this after booking:

"Rifugio Garibaldi is reachable only by foot. Guests have to leave their car at Passo Dello Stelvio, where there is a free public parking available. The walk to the hotel takes 10-15 minutes"

Anyone know if the areas safe - any concern about leaving the car a walk away?

[G Man]

dgowenlock said:

Thanks guys, just booked hotel in Stelvio and saw this after booking:

"Rifugio Garibaldi is reachable only by foot. Guests have to leave their car at Passo Dello Stelvio, where there is a free public parking available. The walk to the hotel takes 10-15 minutes"

Anyone know if the areas safe - any concern about leaving the car a walk away?

Most people stay in Bormio or the village on the other side, I know several people who stayed at the top overnight and were snowed in the next day

PS when are you going cause the Stelvio is shut till 31st May

[Diamond blue]

If its your first alpine trip and you haven't done it then the Stelvio is just about worth it but its a rubbish drive.
Nowhere near the best pass , not in the top 10.
Squirt, nearly stop, do awkward hairpin, ground spoiler, squirt, repeat etc etc
over and over again.

So overrated its not funny.

[dgowenlock]

Thanks guys, first trip and will be first week of June. Since it's a bit of an undertaking planning alone on the first trip I'm copying the first few days from the PH Alpine tour since it suits the route I wanted (B500 then various mountain passes around Andermatt).

I looked at hotels in Bormio but couldn't find anywhere reasonable price that looked good. The baths look amazing in Bormio but instead went for here:

http://www.rifugiogaribaldi.it/it_rifugio.htm

It was cheap for the area €86 and the views look stunning, looks like a querky place to stay for the night rather than the alternative very dated affordable hotels under €120.

Edited by dgowenlock on Thursday 16th February 23:46

[dgowenlock]

P.S. I've read a lot here that the Stelvio is overrated but won't be doing it for the driving alone. From what I understand having a hotel at the top means you can drive up after it's closed to the public, take your time and enjoy the views rather than blast it.

[Diamond blue]

dgowenlock said:

P.S. I've read a lot here that the Stelvio is overrated but won't be doing it for the driving alone. From what I understand having a hotel at the top means you can drive up after it's closed to the public, take your time and enjoy the views rather than blast it.

Please dont get me wrong. I wouldn't suggest if you've not been that you should avoid, just that as a driving road its not much fun. In the summer at weekends its far too crowded too. No fun following 10 cars behind a great big coach.

[Nur Links]

Diamond blue said:

... the Stelvio is just about worth it but its a rubbish drive.
Nowhere near the best pass , not in the top 10.
Squirt, nearly stop, do awkward hairpin, ground spoiler, squirt, repeat etc etc
over and over again.

So overrated its not funny.

Fully agree. Looks great on pics or TopGear film, but unless 1st and 2nd gear turns (or getting stuck behind a bus) turn you on it's not what it's hyped up to be. Much better mountain roads (quiet, fast, no cops) to be had all over the Alps