Alps by motorcycle
Traveling Alps by motorcycle was on our minds for many years but there never was a right time. Until we had enough of postponing.
Our first pass was the famous Großglockner Hochalpenstraße in Austria, scenic road built specifically for tourists. And then we rode through Italy, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, France, Monaco and Slovenia. Two and a half weeks of stunning views and best riding ever.
Although beautiful and very well prepared for tourism, alpine passes are still true high mountain roads, with quickly changing weather, tarmac of changing quality, animals crossing and local traffic. It requires a bit of humility to fully – and safely – enjoy those roads.
It is best to not have fixed plans, and to adapt to current conditions, especially to the weather. It is not unusual to encounter snowfall during summer or road closed by snow from last winter.
I’ve found two books very helpful with planning: “100 Alpenpässe mit dem Motorrad” and “100 neue Alpenpässe mit dem Motorrad” by Heinz E. Studt. From what I see now, there are new editions and a new book. They are catalogues with maps and most important information about the passes.
You will find more details about our itinerary below the gallery.
Itinerary
18 days, 5,000 kilometers in total.
Day 1, Warsaw – Ostrava
Day 2, Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)
Day 3, Großglockner Hochalpenstraße, Lake Misurina and Passo Fedaia
Day 4, Gavia Pass, Bormio, Stelvio and Umbrail Pass
Day 5, Kirchturm von Altgraun, Silvretta Hochalpenstraße, Vaduz and Splügen
Day 6, Bernardino Pass, Lago Maggiore and Verbania
This was not planned, but we found out that we have one day before some of the best passes are to be opened. Yes, even in June many passes are still covered with snow. These are true high alpine roads, with elevation of 2000-3000 meters above sea level.
Day 7, Lago Maggiore ferry, Gotthard Pass and Wassen
Day 8, Furkapass, Berghaus Oberaar, Grimselpass, Interlaken, Spiez, Zweisimmen
Day 9, Col du Pillon, Col de la Croix, Col de la Folcraz, Chamonix, Mount Blanc, Courmayeur
Day 10, Little St Bernard Pass, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier, Col du Lautaret, Briacon
Unfortunately Col de l’Iseran was still closed. Once again, this is not uncommon for high-alpine passes to be covered with snow in the summer.
Day 11, Fort de Tournoux, Barcelonette, Col de la Cayolle, Col du la Couillole, Fort de Rimplas, Saint-Martin-Vésubie
Day 12, Col de Turini, Mentona, Monako, Sanremo
Day 13, coast of Ligurian Sea to Arenzano
Day 14, Venice
Day 15, Caorle
Day 16, Beach day
Day 17, 1000 kilometers a day, return to Poland
Day 18, Back to Warsaw
1-18 June 2018