San Bernadino pass

[Zed 44]

Am I correct in thinking that it's the "13" route that is the actual pass and not the E43. On Google Earth and Via Michelin, the 13 doesn't appear to run as a continuous road from Bellinzona to Bonaduz.

[G Man]

You are correct, 13 is the pass ...

E43 is a tunnel IIRC but all this passes merge into 1 when you have done 100's of them

[dom180]

The main road is actually quite twisty and entertaining - Top Gear thought they drove the old pass road on one of their best roads feature but didn't show the old road on the program at all/looked like the main road, so I assume they missed the turning!!!

The old road is brilliant though - the North end is extremely tight but the run South towards Mesocco is very scenic/entertaining.

Check out the nearby Splugen pass too. Well worth a detour.

edit:

A quick google.. The San Bernadino by-pass with tunnel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlpmqrcbVXs

Edited by dom180 on Monday 14th May 09:47

[kazino]

It is indeed a fabolous pass, I drove it at night and it was just endless twists and turns. I want to revisit it one day and drive it in the light

dom180 said:

The main road is actually quite twisty and entertaining - Top Gear thought they drove the old pass road on one of their best roads feature but didn't show the old road on the program at all/looked like the main road, so I assume they missed the turning!!!

The old road is brilliant though - the North end is extremely tight but the run South towards Mesocco is very scenic/entertaining.

Check out the nearby Splugen pass too. Well worth a detour.

edit:

A quick google.. The San Bernadino by-pass with tunnel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlpmqrcbVXs

Edited by dom180 on Monday 14th May 09:47

[dom180]

kazino said:

It is indeed a fabolous pass, I drove it at night and it was just endless twists and turns. I want to revisit it one day and drive it in the light

dom180 said:

The main road is actually quite twisty and entertaining - Top Gear thought they drove the old pass road on one of their best roads feature but didn't show the old road on the program at all/looked like the main road, so I assume they missed the turning!!!

The old road is brilliant though - the North end is extremely tight but the run South towards Mesocco is very scenic/entertaining.

Check out the nearby Splugen pass too. Well worth a detour.

edit:

A quick google.. The San Bernadino by-pass with tunnel!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlpmqrcbVXs

Edited by dom180 on Monday 14th May 09:47

Worth it - I want to do the d'Esische, Morti and Valcavera in daylight....!

[kazino]

Will google those places, not heard of them. How do they compare to san bernadino, klausen, furka for example?

dom180 said:

Worth it - I want to do the d'Esische, Morti and Valcavera in daylight....!

[dom180]

kazino said:

Will google those places, not heard of them. How do they compare to san bernadino, klausen, furka for example?

dom180 said:

Worth it - I want to do the d'Esische, Morti and Valcavera in daylight....!

Single track, tight, twisty deserted all over 2000m though - a few marmots and other animals. Well worth a drive in the light as I bet the scenery is stunning.

Not as good driving roads (width/surface/visibility) to the ones you're mentioned (tricky to judge at night but def. not good driving roads!) but if you're in the area, good to explore and probably good fun if traffic free during the day.

Would be frustrating to get stuck behind a camper van though.

[Furka is most spectacular in my view and good to drive given width/passing opportunities due to hairpins/straights and a good break test going West although can get busy; Klausen is epic going East to West (but a bit narrow) with great scenary. San. B. a lovely flowing drive/great scenary.]

Edited by dom180 on Wednesday 16th May 12:57

[gaz1234]

anyone got any google routes they'd like to share?