Alpine pass confusion!

[Beaver]

Just can't work out what the best Alpine pass to aim for that will still be open early October (final destination Perugia in Italy)

I thought the Grand St Bernard pass looked a likely candidate but the biker's Alpine pass website didn't make it sound so good.

My eyes are watering from studying google maps so any recommendations would be much appreciated!

TIA

[itsnotarace]

Really difficult to say because of weather, you will need to draw up a shortlist of the ones you want to do and then check out these sites before you leave

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/acces-aux...

and

http://www.alpineroads.com/passstatus.php

[CamL]

The Simplon is kept open all year round (although obviously there may be delays while it is ploughed). You can therefore head for the Gd St Bernard and if the signs on the autoroute after Montreaux/Vevey indicate that it is closed then just continue along the autoroute to Sierre and thereafter the A-road to Brig and over the Simplon.

Also, the Gd St Bernard has a tunnel on the top part (from 2000m) which makes it passable all year, just not as scenic as going over he top.

Early October it may still be open though, just depends so much on the weather.

[Beaver]

Thanks for advice, will look into it further.

[skodamanpat]

http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenpaesse.html

Tells you the current up to date status of all the passes.

In October though it will be very much pot luck as to wether they are running free at any one time. This summer as been quite bad with many passes being closed at various times throughout the season.

Edited by skodamanpat on Tuesday 31st August 20:25

[snowmuncher]

The Gotthard Pass is worth a look
Best from from Suisse to Italy - scenery looks better that way round

The recon the best passes in the Alps are the smaller ones though. Not good for journey times, but better scenery, lighter traffic, local cafes, etc.

Edited by snowmuncher on Wednesday 1st September 07:31

[skodamanpat]

snowmuncher said:

The Gotthard Pass is worth a look
Best from from Suisse to Italy - scenery looks better that way round

Edited by snowmuncher on Wednesday 1st September 07:31

I presume you mean North to South, Gothard pass is entirely in Switzerland I would stick to the new road in October la Tremola is likely to be closed

Agree that the less commercial passes are better but they are also less likely to be a priority for the ploughs in the event of a heavy snow fall.

If you fancy taking a less direct route down through Bavaria The Grossglockner is a fantastic road and is kept open until the end of October (toll)

[snowmuncher]

Once you go over the border from canton Uri into canton Ticino, you may as well be in Italy. It looks Italian, they talk Italian, they drink proper coffee !

True, you can't guarantee the pass will be open, but then you can't guarantee the tunnel will be open either !

[skodamanpat]

snowmuncher said:

Once you go over the border from canton Uri into canton Ticino, you may as well be in Italy. It looks Italian, they talk Italian, they drink proper coffee !

rofl but still require paying in CHF so not completely bonkers.

[Janosh]

The Grand St. Bernard pass is absolutely awesome... Rode it yesterday, there wasn't much traffic and the side that drops down towards Aosta in Italy is freshly resurfaced. Awesome



The petit St Bernard was just as good!

[Beaver]

Ok, it's getting nearer! Pretty sure we will drive from Calais to Montreux, then next morning try for the Gt Bernard via Martigny, and on to Aosta in Italy. If the Bernard passes are closed we'll do the Simplon.

Does that sound right?

Also, might stop before Montreaux for a night, any suggestions other than Troyes? (Had a bad experience with an andoiullette sausage).

Lastly, any suggestions for the fastest most interesting route back from central Italy (Perugia) to Calais?

Cheers...

[Janosh]

Should be perfect for you.... It's a bright sunny day in Chamonix today and I've just got back from a blast to Martigny on the bike

Enjoy

[nonuts]

Janosh said:

The petit St Bernard was just as good!

I can't see the pics, but going from France -> Italy on the petit I actually didn't really enjoy any of the French side even if the views were rather spectacular. The Grand pass was much more fun IMO.

[Beaver]

Thanks all for various advice - I used the Grand Saint Bernard pass on way to Italy, and the San Gottard on the return leg. Bit disappointed with the GSB pass, the San Gottard was much more impressive. Neither had any signs of snow so I guess they'll be open a while longer.

About 3/4 of the way up the Gottard, there was a tourist centre and a small lake, and I found another pass with cobbled paving that snaked down the mountain. Any idea which one this is?

As it was in the wrong direction I only drove about half a mile down it but it was pretty spectacular..

Anyway, here's the car on the Gottard pass.

[RainerM]

...the cobbled road is the old "classic" road down/up to Airolo/Gotthard-Hospiz, called "Tremola", if the sun is out, rather spectacular :-)), you missed it...

ATB

Rainer-CH

[RainerM]

have a look here:

http://www.google.ch/images?client=firefox-a&r...fficial&channel=s&hl=de&q=tremola+photos&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=-Km1TJXwAY3Kswbasuy4CQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQsAQwAA&biw=1544&bih=791

sufficient to watch the first pics.

R.

[skodamanpat]

La Tremola:




Not good on modded suspension :P

[snowmuncher]

Looks pretty good compared to Italian mountain roads

ps I assume its this section of the road ?

Edited by snowmuncher on Wednesday 13th October 18:46