Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
When do the Alp passes open? When do the Alp passes open?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 75
When do the Alp passes open?
We're currently on the road and rapidly approaching Europe, and keen to spend time riding across mountains in Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France - I was hoping that folk here might have an idea as to when in the year these open?

We're more concerned about snow than cold...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,120
It does depend on snowfall but the ones I know well in the French Alps are rarely open before the middle / end of May and often well into June. That's the scenic ones; the ones that are necessary for transport are kept open all through the winter.

You can find out about their current status via some links from this page - AlpineRoads: Pass Conditions
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
I was in Switzerland in mid June last year and some of the passes (eg Grimselpass) were still closed due to snow. The snow on the high passes can remain metres deep for months until the authorities decide it is time to clear them. As already mentioned, the main transit routes are generally kept open all year but these tend to be the main roads and these are usually busy with lorries, coaches and everything else. The more 'scenic' rural ones are not considered to be too important and are just left.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 75
thanks both

do you consider the main roads that are open all the time to be good rides? or are we better off to start thinking about a late summer trip?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
I don't think that there are really any 'bad' roads in the Alps as even the main through roads pass through very spectacular scenery. You will be sharing the road with a lot of heavy trucks etc but it wouldn't put me off. Many of the passes on the major routes are bypassed with long tunnels, for example at the St Gotthard you could go up and over the original pass or take the 17km tunnel underneath. Because of the availability of the tunnel though, the original pass is not very likely to be cleared of snow during winter as a priority.

I would say go for it as seeing the Alps under snow is well worth the effort.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 75
we're looking at coming in to the area form france, and want to visit a friend in turin, italy, and are then considering heading towards croatia. with this in mind, can anyone recommend passes that are likely to be open march-april that would give us a good ride? we're very happy to go a fair way out of our way for a good road
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Open Face Helmet Options? kentfallen Camping Equipment and all Clothing 46 6 Aug 2016 14:55
Getting to grips with Open street map Fantastic Mister Fox Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 16 15 Jan 2013 17:12
Alp route mammut89 Route Planning 11 17 Dec 2012 04:51
Listing up the highest driveable passes in the world johan&ils The HUBB PUB 4 13 Sep 2012 00:05
Transfagarasan DN7C & Transalpina DN67C - open by June 19 2012 ?? zixxernine Europe 6 1 Jul 2012 15:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:03.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top