|
7 Sep 2011
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
|
|
Advice required on best routes Switzerland & Austria
Hi All,
We're two riders from Alaska who'll be traveling around Switzerland and Italy in September on rented adventure bikes.
We're interested in suggested routes in the Alps. We'll be renting the bikes in Frankfurt then heading south for five days of touring.
Would be greatful for any advice on a round trip route!
Thanks in advance.
Vic and Beth
|
8 Sep 2011
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 23
|
|
Hi Vic and Beth,
I don't know about Austria (never had the chance to go there yet), but for scenic motorcycle routes in this area I would suggest the following :
- from Frankfurt, head south straight to Luzern (CH), rest and visit a couple of hours this nice city
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luzern
- take motorway #8 south to Meringen
- then head to Grimsel pass (CH)
- then on the other side, Furka pass (CH), where you can see the Rhone Glacier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furka_pass
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhone_Glacier
- head to Andermatt, St Gotthard pass (CH)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Gotthard_Pass
- ride through Bellinzona (CH), Lugano (CH), then switch to Italy, ride along Lake Como with George Clooney ,
- then head to the Stelvio Pass (IT) via Bormio (IT)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stelvio_Pass
- head to Bolzano (IT), ride the Dolomites
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolomites
- continue your route, either to Austria or to Switzerland, then back to Frankfurt.
5 days is pretty short, but it is doable.
The route I suggested (did it in 2007) will take you along the highlights in Alpine Switzerland (Luzern, Grimsel pass, Furka pass, Rhoen Glacier) and northern Italy (Dolomites, Stelvio pass).
Others Hubbers might jump in to suggest routes to and in Austria, but as said, 5 days is pretty short to make it all.
You sure are going to have a nice trip.
Ride safe and beware of speed camera in Switzerland !
|
9 Sep 2011
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
|
|
Hello Vic, Beth:
I'm in Switzerland now, riding around. I ride here pretty much every year.
I generally agree with what LittleBigCheng in the post above. It's pretty difficult to NOT find a good pass to ride in Switzerland - your question is a bit like someone who is going to a 3 Michelin star rated restaurant asking 'What's good to eat?'
Having said that, I think you might be being a bit ambitious trying to do both Switzerland and Austria during the same 5 day period. Both countries are wonderful for riding, however, there is a bit of a 'dull spot' between the two countries when you are commuting between the best riding areas of each. If you were here for 2 weeks, that would be of no concern, but because you are only going to be here for 5 days, I recommend that you focus on Switzerland and forget about going to Austria on this particular trip. Doing that will keep the percentage of time you spend 'riding the passes' high, and minimize the percentage of time you spend 'transiting' boring motorways between the areas that have the nice passes.
From Frankfurt, it will be about a one day ride to get into the Swiss Alps. You can then plan on spending 3 days of riding passes that are all more or less just south of Luzern, then you have one remaining day to get back up to Frankfurt.
I suggest you consider riding the Sustenpass (one of my favourites), the Furkapass (same neighborhood), perhaps the Klausenpass, and if you are so inclined, the Gotthardpass. All of those begin within a one hour ride from Luzern. If you want to stay in the same hotel 3 nights in a row (rather than sleeping in a different place every night), consider riding from Frankfurt to Andermatt and setting up housekeeping in Andermatt. Andermatt is pretty much the 'ground zero' of all the Swiss passes.
Be aware that it is not uncommon to get snow in the passes in September. So, you will need to do some research in the days just before your ride to see which passes (if any) have been closed due to overnight snowfalls. The risk of pass closure due to snow increases towards the end of September.
Watch your speed carefully. There are lots of radar cameras in Switzerland. They are almost always set up at the entrances to villages, near where the speed limit changes to 50 km/h. Be aware that in Switzerland, you will not see a 'speed 50 km/h' sign at the entrance to a village. The sign that shows the name of the village is, de facto, the speed limit sign, because Switzerland has a national speed limit of 50 km/h in the villages. Radar cameras are not a big concern as long as you respect the 50 km/h limits in the villages.
Michael
|
9 Sep 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 296
|
|
Hi, i was in the Alps this summer and travelled most of the roads mentioned above which are all excellent. i would also suggest you consider 'Route des grand Alpes' which links a number of great roads from switzerland to Nice. Andy
|
11 Sep 2011
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 21
|
|
Thanks for the replies Folks, I'll see that Vic and Beth get the advice as they are now already in Switzerland.
Nordkapper
|
7 Oct 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
|
|
Buy this book A motorcycle guide through the alps and Corsica by John Hermann.
Amazon.com: Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps and Corsica (9781884313325): John Hermann: Books
I have used it for 3 Alps and Austria trips and it is invaluable.
Here is me in Andermatt in Switzerland swatting up:
Of course Stelvio has to be on your list. Do not approach it from the Italy side though as that is the easy approach.
Steve
|
8 Oct 2011
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Stoney Kincardineshire
Posts: 126
|
|
Steveindenmark,
Thanks for sharing the info on the book I have located a copy on the www and it is now ordered, hopefully it will be here for hubby's birthday present next weekend.
Maybe it will give him something to think about as at the moment all he wants to do is The Stelvio even after I have told him there are a great many more passes to do.
Thanks
__________________
Only dead fish go with the flow
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|