Grand Tour of Switzerland 02 Davos to Lugano via the Passes Fluela Julier and San Bernardino
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Catherine De Groote RouteXpert
Last edit: 24-01-2024
Route Summary Switzerland is a wonderful country to cross by motorcycle. Not only because of the beautiful roads, but also because of the cultural and other sights - and of course the beautiful mountains! The country has enormous diversity. Mountains and water in particular determine the landscape. Lake Constance in the north is one of the most popular holiday regions in Central Europe. With Lake Geneva in the far southwest, the Swiss (along with the French) also have one of the largest lakes on the continent. Don't forget Lake Maggiore in the south, although the red flag with the white cross only flies over a small part of it. There the influence of Italy becomes clear again. It is mainly based on language. This also applies to Lake Lugano, in the far south. To discover all this, the Swiss tourist office has developed a special holiday route. This panoramic road, called Grand Tour of Switzerland, is 1643 km long. Fans of mountain passes will be happy in many places. The route takes you to the Schwägalp, the San Bernardino and the Gotthard Pass. You can follow the Grand Tour in either direction, but because most tourists do the journey clockwise, the official signposts have been adjusted accordingly.
Stage 2 of the Grand Tour of Switzerland goes from Davos to Lugano. The beautiful roads take you through the beautiful mountains over the Flüela, Julier and San Bernardino passes. A spectacular experience awaits you in the extremely narrow Viala gorge near Thusis, which you can reach via the visitor center.
The panoramic roads over the mountain passes and the beautiful views make this ride unforgettable. Without a doubt, this route deserves 5 stars.
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Verdict
Duration
7h 50m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
252.57 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The Flüela Pass between Davos and St. Moritz is closed during the winter months. In summer, on the other hand, it promises pure driving pleasure. From Davos you wind up between the trees on perfect road surface. The climb starts slowly at first. Then it turns into a long continuous climb between the woods and the river on the right. In Dörfli (1800 m) you pass the Pischa ski lift and after Tschuggen (treeline 2000 m) there are several hairpin bends that take you between the rocks together with the mountain stream, eventually to the mountain lake and hotel at the pass height. Beautiful view to the right of the Fluëla Schwarzhorn (3146m).
Continue to the Engadine and thus to one of the highest inhabited valleys in Europe. The road winds in beautiful curves to Sankt Moritz.
Sankt Moritz is located at an altitude of 1800 m. Although many holidaymakers expect an exclusive atmosphere here, the actual core is surprisingly simple. The village prides itself on being the inventor of alpine winter tourism. Some sights include the leaning tower, the St. Maurice church from the 16th century and the Segantini Museum.
Lake St. Moritz is the third largest lake in the Engadin after Lake Sils and Lake Silvaplana. Until a few years ago, tourists and residents could park their cars on the frozen lake. However, this is now prohibited due to the instability of the ice. In summer, various sports can be practiced on the lake, including windsurfing, water skiing and kayaking.
Past St. Moritz you cross the spectacular Julier Pass. The pass, constructed between 1820 and 1826, has a maximum gradient of 11 percent. The grippy road surface is consistently wider than 5 m. Typical of the scenic route, especially on the 36 km northern descent from the pass to Tiefencastel, are flat sections that are repeatedly interrupted by short 'stairs', with hairpin bends.
On the east side of Lake Marmorera, the road runs along the Julier Pass. The village of Marmorera is located about halfway across the lake, also to the east. This was rebuilt in the 1960s after the construction of the reservoir and the flooding of the old village.
The Ustareia agl Lai, a cozy restaurant overlooking the lake, welcomes its guests with tasty hot meals, prepared with mainly regional ingredients.
Thusis is located at the foot of the Piz Beverin and is the northern gateway to the Viamala Gorge. The term 'Viamala' comes from Retro-Romance and means something like 'bad road'. The road through the narrow, rocky gorge of the Hinterhein was once a major obstacle on the route through the Alps. Today, however, the gorge is a crowd pleaser. Here and there the view of and into the gorge is truly dizzying. The view is especially unique from the Teufelsbrücke. With its rugged cliffs, the kaleidoscopic play of colors on the water and the holes carved into the rocks over thousands of years, this gorge offers an unforgettable nature experience.
The road winds up through a beautiful mountain landscape to the San Bernardino Pass. Of course, we don't mean the tunnel, but the beautiful road over the San Bernardino Pass, which connects the Rhine Valley in Graubünden with the Valle Mesolcina in Ticino.
With this pass you also cross the German-Italian language border in Switzerland. The Romans already knew this wide pass. The original path, which was used until the late Middle Ages, led about a kilometer east of the current route along the foot of the Piz Uccello. Today, the mountain pass with its numerous, smooth hairpin bends is a wonderful challenge. In addition, there is almost heavenly peace, because the San Bernardino tunnel between Hinterrhein and San Bernardino was opened in 1967.
While the highway disappears into the tunnel until the village of San Bernardino, the pass road goes to a high-altitude, mystical moor landscape with reflective watercourses and glacial mills, to the San Bernardino Pass at an altitude of 2065 m and to the beautiful mountain lake Lago Moesola.
Near the highest point of the mountain pass lies the small holiday town of San Bernardino. Marshes, pine forests and special flora give San Bernardino a unique atmosphere. The moist meadows around the village provide the most species-rich peat flora in the south of the Alps.
In Ristorante Chesa Veglia, a typical mountain restaurant-bar, you can have a drink on the terrace or eat a delicious piece of cake. The atmosphere is casual and reminiscent of Italy, where locals come in for a chat and a drink.
It's going downhill now. The next 15 km the hairpin bends follow each other. The road is wide and of very good quality. Then you stay in the Moesa valley until Bellinzona.
From the southern city of Bellinzona it is just a stone's throw to the northern Italian lakes, some of which are partly on Swiss territory. A visit to Lugano is a must, because here you can experience a touch of the Mediterranean south in the sun-drenched canton of Ticino/Ticino.
The city of Lugano is located on the northern shore of the lake and is surrounded by several panoramic mountains. The historic city center is traffic-free, so you can explore it on foot and visit its many Lombardy-style monuments in peace.
A pleasant place to stay is the Hotel International au Lac. The reopening is scheduled for the end of March 2024. The hotel is located on the lakeside, in the heart of Lugano's historic shopping and business center. The hotel has a large green outdoor area: garden with swimming pool and terrace. There is also underground parking at the hotel. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel you will find a variety of restaurants, pizzerias and typical bars.
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Graubunden
About this region
The Grisons or Graubünden, more formally the canton of the Grisons or the canton of Graubünden, is one of the twenty-six cantons of Switzerland. It has eleven regions, and its capital is Chur. The German name of the canton, Graubünden, translates as the "Grey Leagues", referring to the canton's origin in three local alliances, the Three Leagues. The other native names (Grischun in Rumantsch Grischun, Grisun in Lombard, and Grigioni in Italian) also refer to the Grey League. The Alpine ibex is the canton's heraldic symbol.
The largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland, it is also one of the three large southern Alpine cantons, along with Valais and Ticino. It is the most diverse canton in term of natural and cultural geography, as it encompasses both sides of the Alps and several natural and cultural regions. The diversity of the canton is often compared to that of Switzerland as a whole and warrants it the name of "Little Switzerland". The Grisons is bordered by four cantons: Ticino to the south; Uri to the west; and Glarus and St. Gallen to the north. The canton is also bordered by Liechtenstein to the north; Austria's federated states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol to the north and east; and Italy's autonomous province of South Tyrol and region of Lombardy to the south.
The Grisons is the only trilingual canton of Switzerland. It is also the only one where Romansh, Switzerland's fourth national language, has official status. Romansh language and culture is an important part of local identity. In 2020 the canton had a population of 200,096. It is the least densely populated canton of Switzerland. The only sizable city in the canton is Chur, as the majority of the population lives in mountainous areas, including some of the deepest valleys in Europe. The canton is a major tourist destination year-round, particularly for winter sports, and comprehends a large number of Alpine resort towns, notably Davos and St. Moritz. The canton is also renowned for its extensive narrow-gauge railway network, operated by the Rhaetian Railway.
Formerly occupied by the Rhaeti, most of the lands of the canton became once part of a Roman province called Raetia, which was established in 15 BC, with Curia, a settlement dating back to the Pfyn culture, as capital city. The area later became part of the lands of the diocese of Chur. The late middle ages saw the foundation of the League of God's House, the Grey League and the League of the Ten Jurisdictions. In 1471, an alliance gave birth to the Three Leagues, and before the end of the 15th century, the latter became an ally of the Old Swiss Confederacy. In 1803, the Three Leagues finally became one of the cantons of the Confederation.
Read more on Wikipedia
The largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland, it is also one of the three large southern Alpine cantons, along with Valais and Ticino. It is the most diverse canton in term of natural and cultural geography, as it encompasses both sides of the Alps and several natural and cultural regions. The diversity of the canton is often compared to that of Switzerland as a whole and warrants it the name of "Little Switzerland". The Grisons is bordered by four cantons: Ticino to the south; Uri to the west; and Glarus and St. Gallen to the north. The canton is also bordered by Liechtenstein to the north; Austria's federated states of Vorarlberg and Tyrol to the north and east; and Italy's autonomous province of South Tyrol and region of Lombardy to the south.
The Grisons is the only trilingual canton of Switzerland. It is also the only one where Romansh, Switzerland's fourth national language, has official status. Romansh language and culture is an important part of local identity. In 2020 the canton had a population of 200,096. It is the least densely populated canton of Switzerland. The only sizable city in the canton is Chur, as the majority of the population lives in mountainous areas, including some of the deepest valleys in Europe. The canton is a major tourist destination year-round, particularly for winter sports, and comprehends a large number of Alpine resort towns, notably Davos and St. Moritz. The canton is also renowned for its extensive narrow-gauge railway network, operated by the Rhaetian Railway.
Formerly occupied by the Rhaeti, most of the lands of the canton became once part of a Roman province called Raetia, which was established in 15 BC, with Curia, a settlement dating back to the Pfyn culture, as capital city. The area later became part of the lands of the diocese of Chur. The late middle ages saw the foundation of the League of God's House, the Grey League and the League of the Ten Jurisdictions. In 1471, an alliance gave birth to the Three Leagues, and before the end of the 15th century, the latter became an ally of the Old Swiss Confederacy. In 1803, the Three Leagues finally became one of the cantons of the Confederation.
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Route Collections in this region The 24 Most Beautiful Alpine Routes
The Alps, The Alps are a mountain range in Europe, stretching from the French Mediterranean coast in the southwest to the Pannonian Plain in the east. The area of the mountain range is more than 200,000 km².
In other words Passes and Mountain Roads!
Driving through the mountains is great! Especially over the mountain passes with hairpin bends and narrow winding roads. Every bend a different view where you can enjoy. There are many beautiful mountain passes in the Alps.
A selection that has also been incorporated into these routes:
The Stlevio Pass:
The Stelvio Pass, also known as Passo dello Stelvio, is mainly known for the stage in the Giro d'Italia. Due to the length and the difference in height, this pass is seen as one of the toughest tests in cycling. The Stelvio Pass reaches a maximum height of 2758 meters and is therefore one of the highest in the Alps. The pass connects the towns of Bormio and Prato Allo Stelvio. In winter the pass is closed due to heavy snowfall.
The Reschenpass:
The Reschenpass, also known as Passo di Resia, connects the Austrian state of Tyrol with the Italian province of South Tyrol. The pass reaches a maximum height of 1,504 meters and has been one of the most important north-south connections in the Alps in recent centuries. The pass was used long before Roman times. Along the way you will pass several highlights and historical relics. One of the highlights is the Reschensee. This lake was created after the construction of the dam and has completely submerged the village of Graun. The only thing that reminds of that is the clock tower in the middle of the lake.
Col du Galibier:
The French mountain pass Col du Galibier connects the towns of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Briançon via the Col du Lautaret in the south and the Col du Télégraphe in the north. The mountain pass is part of the Tour de France and very much feared, due to the fact that it can only be reached via the other two mountain passes. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2646 meters. From there you can take a walk to the viewpoint at 2704 meters. You can admire the peaks of the Grand Galibier, Mont Blanc and La Meije here.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road:
With a height of 3798 meters the Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria. To fully enjoy this impressive mountain, you can drive over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the accompanying pass. The route starts from Bruck am Grossglockner and ends in Heiligenblut. Of course you can drive in two directions. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2504 meters and is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. Along the way you pass several stops with fun activities, information points, mountain huts and viewpoints. A visit to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and Pasterzen Glacier is highly recommended.
The Col d'Izoard:
Just like the Col du Galibier, the Col d'Izoard is also part of a stage of the Tour de France. The mountain pass connects Briançon with the valley of the river Guil. The pass is partly located in the Regional Natural Park du Queyras and reaches a maximum height of 2360 meters. What is special about the Col d'Izoard is the barren and rocky landscape. Sometimes it feels like driving a car over the moon! Along the way you can stop at several points to enjoy the beautiful view.
The Bernina Pass:
The Bernina Express is one of the most famous rail trains in Switzerland and the Alps. The route is beautiful and partly included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Parallel to the railway lies the Bernina pass, which connects the Veltlin valley with the Egandin valley. This beautiful Alpine road has a total length of 56 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2328 meters. Along the way you can enjoy views of the Morteratsch Glacier.
The Sella Pass:
The Sella Pass, also known as Passo di Sella, takes you over one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Dolomites: the Sella massif. The pass connects Valle di Fassa with Val Gardena and reaches a maximum height of 2236 meters. At this height is also the border of the Italian provinces of Trentino and Bolzano. Along the way you can enjoy the view of this spectacular mountain world. Admire, for example, the three peaks of the Sasso Lungo massif, the Sella massif or the peaks of the Marmolada. You can also drive the Sella pass in combination with the Gardena pass, Pordoi pass and Campolongo pass.
The Grimsel Pass:
The Grimsel Pass connects Goms in Wallis with the Halis Valley in the Bernese Oberland. The pass reaches a maximum elevation of 2165 meters and is closed in winter due to snowfall. Over the centuries, the mountain pass has played an important role in trade between Switzerland and Italy. Now it is mainly the reservoirs that have an important function. These are used to generate electricity. The landscape you drive through is rugged, rocky and impressive. On top of the pass is a hotel and a restaurant with a special marmot park. The Dodensee (Totensee) is also located here. This lake owes its name to the many soldiers who died in the time of Napoleon.
The Gotthard Pass:
The Gotthard Pass, also known as Passo del San Gottardo and Saint Gotthard, connects the Swiss towns of Airolo and Andermatt. The mountain pass and associated tunnel are especially known among holidaymakers driving from Switzerland to Italy. But where the majority opt for the tunnel, it is precisely the pass that really completes the holiday. The Gotthard Pass has a length of about 26 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2106 meters. The route is beautiful and takes you along old villages and beautiful views.
The Silvretta High Alpine Road and Silvretta Pass:
The Paznaun Valley in Tyrol and the Montafon in Vorarlberg are connected by the Silvretta High Alpine Road. The route has a length of 22.3 kilometers and leads from Galtür to Partenen in 34 hairpin bends, via the 2032 meter high Bielerhöhe. The Silvrettasee is also located at this point, where you can enjoy a lovely walk. The pass is closed in winter due to snowfall.
The Simplon Pass:
Just like the Gotthard Pass, many holidaymakers also travel over the Simplon Pass every year. This mountain pass connects the Rhone Valley in the canton of Valais with the Valle d'Ossola in Piemonte. The pass is open all year round and reaches a maximum height of 2005 meters. Along the way you pass a number of buildings, including the well-known Simplon Hospiz from 1825. The hospiz is managed by the monks of St. Bernard. From the highest point on the pass, all kinds of hiking routes are possible and you will also come across a hotel where you can spend the night.
The Gerlos Pass:
The Gerlos Pass connects the Salzach Valley in the Salzburgerland with the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol. The pass is part of the Gerlos Alpenstraße and runs right through the Hohe Tauern National Park. Along the way you can enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings. The pass has a length of 12 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 1531 meters. A ride over the Gerlos Pass can be ideally combined with a visit to the Krimmler Wasserfälle.
The Great St. Bernard Pass:
The Great St. Bernard Pass, better known as Col du Grand Saint Bernard, connects the Italian province of Valle d'Aosta with the Swiss canton of Valais. The pass is one of the highest in Switzerland and reaches a maximum height of 2469 meters. Like a number of other mountain passes in this list, the Great St. Bernard Pass has also been used as a connecting road for centuries. The pass is named after the St. Bernard dogs that used to help stranded travelers along with the monks. The pass is closed in winter.
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road:
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road connects the towns of Sölden in the Ötztal and Meran in South Tyrol. Tolls must be paid on the Hochgurgl - Moos route. Via a mountain road with about 60 hairpin bends you drive through a beautiful mountain world. With the Timmelsjoch Experience you can learn more about the history, the road and the environment via various stations. You can also visit the Top Mountain Crosspoint museum.
Col de l'Iseran:
With a maximum pass height of 2770 meters, the Col l'Iséran is one of the highest mountain passes in the Alps. The pass connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice with Bonneval-sur-Arc. Via a road full of hairpin bends you pass, among other things, Val-d'Isère and a side valley of the Maurienne that lies entirely in the National Park de la Vanoise. You can spot animals such as marmots and chamois and there is also a restaurant with a chapel on top of the pass.
The Gavia Pass:
The Gavia Pass (Italian Passo di Gavia) is a mountain pass in the Italian Alps, in the Lombardy region.
It is one of the highest pass roads in Europe. The road leads through the unspoilt Stelvio National Park. The road was built in the First World War to supply Italian soldiers who fought in the Italian-Austrian border area. The pass height is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. Here is the large Lago Bianco with, to the north, the mountain San Matteo (3684 meters). Lago Nero is slightly lower on the south side of the pass. Here the mountain group of the Adamello determines the view. There are many well-marked walks in the area. During the winter the pass is closed due to the heavy snowfall. The pass is often closed until May and June due to the large amount of snow.
Promoter has made a selection of the 24 Most Beautiful Alpine routes that they have set out in recent years.
The routes go through:
France
Austria
Switzerland
Italy
The most beautiful roads, the most beautiful views, the most beautiful viewpoints. The highest mountains, the fastest descents, hairpin bend after hairpin bend, you name it you can't get enough of it.
If you go on holiday in this region, take advantage of it, ALL routes in this collection have been checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a MyRoute-app RouteXpert.
Have fun with this collection and while driving one of these routes. Enjoy all the beauty that the Alps and the Dolomites have to offer. Click on “View route” to read the review of the chosen route.
I would like to hear your findings about the route(s).
In other words Passes and Mountain Roads!
Driving through the mountains is great! Especially over the mountain passes with hairpin bends and narrow winding roads. Every bend a different view where you can enjoy. There are many beautiful mountain passes in the Alps.
A selection that has also been incorporated into these routes:
The Stlevio Pass:
The Stelvio Pass, also known as Passo dello Stelvio, is mainly known for the stage in the Giro d'Italia. Due to the length and the difference in height, this pass is seen as one of the toughest tests in cycling. The Stelvio Pass reaches a maximum height of 2758 meters and is therefore one of the highest in the Alps. The pass connects the towns of Bormio and Prato Allo Stelvio. In winter the pass is closed due to heavy snowfall.
The Reschenpass:
The Reschenpass, also known as Passo di Resia, connects the Austrian state of Tyrol with the Italian province of South Tyrol. The pass reaches a maximum height of 1,504 meters and has been one of the most important north-south connections in the Alps in recent centuries. The pass was used long before Roman times. Along the way you will pass several highlights and historical relics. One of the highlights is the Reschensee. This lake was created after the construction of the dam and has completely submerged the village of Graun. The only thing that reminds of that is the clock tower in the middle of the lake.
Col du Galibier:
The French mountain pass Col du Galibier connects the towns of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Briançon via the Col du Lautaret in the south and the Col du Télégraphe in the north. The mountain pass is part of the Tour de France and very much feared, due to the fact that it can only be reached via the other two mountain passes. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2646 meters. From there you can take a walk to the viewpoint at 2704 meters. You can admire the peaks of the Grand Galibier, Mont Blanc and La Meije here.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road:
With a height of 3798 meters the Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria. To fully enjoy this impressive mountain, you can drive over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the accompanying pass. The route starts from Bruck am Grossglockner and ends in Heiligenblut. Of course you can drive in two directions. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2504 meters and is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. Along the way you pass several stops with fun activities, information points, mountain huts and viewpoints. A visit to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and Pasterzen Glacier is highly recommended.
The Col d'Izoard:
Just like the Col du Galibier, the Col d'Izoard is also part of a stage of the Tour de France. The mountain pass connects Briançon with the valley of the river Guil. The pass is partly located in the Regional Natural Park du Queyras and reaches a maximum height of 2360 meters. What is special about the Col d'Izoard is the barren and rocky landscape. Sometimes it feels like driving a car over the moon! Along the way you can stop at several points to enjoy the beautiful view.
The Bernina Pass:
The Bernina Express is one of the most famous rail trains in Switzerland and the Alps. The route is beautiful and partly included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Parallel to the railway lies the Bernina pass, which connects the Veltlin valley with the Egandin valley. This beautiful Alpine road has a total length of 56 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2328 meters. Along the way you can enjoy views of the Morteratsch Glacier.
The Sella Pass:
The Sella Pass, also known as Passo di Sella, takes you over one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Dolomites: the Sella massif. The pass connects Valle di Fassa with Val Gardena and reaches a maximum height of 2236 meters. At this height is also the border of the Italian provinces of Trentino and Bolzano. Along the way you can enjoy the view of this spectacular mountain world. Admire, for example, the three peaks of the Sasso Lungo massif, the Sella massif or the peaks of the Marmolada. You can also drive the Sella pass in combination with the Gardena pass, Pordoi pass and Campolongo pass.
The Grimsel Pass:
The Grimsel Pass connects Goms in Wallis with the Halis Valley in the Bernese Oberland. The pass reaches a maximum elevation of 2165 meters and is closed in winter due to snowfall. Over the centuries, the mountain pass has played an important role in trade between Switzerland and Italy. Now it is mainly the reservoirs that have an important function. These are used to generate electricity. The landscape you drive through is rugged, rocky and impressive. On top of the pass is a hotel and a restaurant with a special marmot park. The Dodensee (Totensee) is also located here. This lake owes its name to the many soldiers who died in the time of Napoleon.
The Gotthard Pass:
The Gotthard Pass, also known as Passo del San Gottardo and Saint Gotthard, connects the Swiss towns of Airolo and Andermatt. The mountain pass and associated tunnel are especially known among holidaymakers driving from Switzerland to Italy. But where the majority opt for the tunnel, it is precisely the pass that really completes the holiday. The Gotthard Pass has a length of about 26 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2106 meters. The route is beautiful and takes you along old villages and beautiful views.
The Silvretta High Alpine Road and Silvretta Pass:
The Paznaun Valley in Tyrol and the Montafon in Vorarlberg are connected by the Silvretta High Alpine Road. The route has a length of 22.3 kilometers and leads from Galtür to Partenen in 34 hairpin bends, via the 2032 meter high Bielerhöhe. The Silvrettasee is also located at this point, where you can enjoy a lovely walk. The pass is closed in winter due to snowfall.
The Simplon Pass:
Just like the Gotthard Pass, many holidaymakers also travel over the Simplon Pass every year. This mountain pass connects the Rhone Valley in the canton of Valais with the Valle d'Ossola in Piemonte. The pass is open all year round and reaches a maximum height of 2005 meters. Along the way you pass a number of buildings, including the well-known Simplon Hospiz from 1825. The hospiz is managed by the monks of St. Bernard. From the highest point on the pass, all kinds of hiking routes are possible and you will also come across a hotel where you can spend the night.
The Gerlos Pass:
The Gerlos Pass connects the Salzach Valley in the Salzburgerland with the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol. The pass is part of the Gerlos Alpenstraße and runs right through the Hohe Tauern National Park. Along the way you can enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings. The pass has a length of 12 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 1531 meters. A ride over the Gerlos Pass can be ideally combined with a visit to the Krimmler Wasserfälle.
The Great St. Bernard Pass:
The Great St. Bernard Pass, better known as Col du Grand Saint Bernard, connects the Italian province of Valle d'Aosta with the Swiss canton of Valais. The pass is one of the highest in Switzerland and reaches a maximum height of 2469 meters. Like a number of other mountain passes in this list, the Great St. Bernard Pass has also been used as a connecting road for centuries. The pass is named after the St. Bernard dogs that used to help stranded travelers along with the monks. The pass is closed in winter.
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road:
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road connects the towns of Sölden in the Ötztal and Meran in South Tyrol. Tolls must be paid on the Hochgurgl - Moos route. Via a mountain road with about 60 hairpin bends you drive through a beautiful mountain world. With the Timmelsjoch Experience you can learn more about the history, the road and the environment via various stations. You can also visit the Top Mountain Crosspoint museum.
Col de l'Iseran:
With a maximum pass height of 2770 meters, the Col l'Iséran is one of the highest mountain passes in the Alps. The pass connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice with Bonneval-sur-Arc. Via a road full of hairpin bends you pass, among other things, Val-d'Isère and a side valley of the Maurienne that lies entirely in the National Park de la Vanoise. You can spot animals such as marmots and chamois and there is also a restaurant with a chapel on top of the pass.
The Gavia Pass:
The Gavia Pass (Italian Passo di Gavia) is a mountain pass in the Italian Alps, in the Lombardy region.
It is one of the highest pass roads in Europe. The road leads through the unspoilt Stelvio National Park. The road was built in the First World War to supply Italian soldiers who fought in the Italian-Austrian border area. The pass height is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. Here is the large Lago Bianco with, to the north, the mountain San Matteo (3684 meters). Lago Nero is slightly lower on the south side of the pass. Here the mountain group of the Adamello determines the view. There are many well-marked walks in the area. During the winter the pass is closed due to the heavy snowfall. The pass is often closed until May and June due to the large amount of snow.
Promoter has made a selection of the 24 Most Beautiful Alpine routes that they have set out in recent years.
The routes go through:
France
Austria
Switzerland
Italy
The most beautiful roads, the most beautiful views, the most beautiful viewpoints. The highest mountains, the fastest descents, hairpin bend after hairpin bend, you name it you can't get enough of it.
If you go on holiday in this region, take advantage of it, ALL routes in this collection have been checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a MyRoute-app RouteXpert.
Have fun with this collection and while driving one of these routes. Enjoy all the beauty that the Alps and the Dolomites have to offer. Click on “View route” to read the review of the chosen route.
I would like to hear your findings about the route(s).
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11 day trip from the Netherlands
8 countries in 11 days; The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Belgium. This route collections consists of 10 routes that I have driven with friends in the summer of 2019.
The start is in Geldermalsen Netherlands, the first 7 days you drive through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and a piece of Luxembourg with overnight stays in hotels.
The last three days you stay in Barweiler (D) in the Eifel and you drive two beautiful tours through the Eifel, Luxembourg and parts of the Belgian Ardennes.
There is no highway in the routes, only beautiful provincial and country roads, many beautiful passes with beautiful panoramas.
Be sure to check whether the passes are open before you leave.
These are routes for experienced drivers.
The start is in Geldermalsen Netherlands, the first 7 days you drive through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and a piece of Luxembourg with overnight stays in hotels.
The last three days you stay in Barweiler (D) in the Eifel and you drive two beautiful tours through the Eifel, Luxembourg and parts of the Belgian Ardennes.
There is no highway in the routes, only beautiful provincial and country roads, many beautiful passes with beautiful panoramas.
Be sure to check whether the passes are open before you leave.
These are routes for experienced drivers.
View Route Collection