Suggestions for mountain passes

[Schnellmann]

I have some friends coming over to Europe in July. They are going to Classic Le Mans but are coming further south to do some driving in the Alps.

Any suggestions for good routes or passes? Either in Switzerland or just across the border (preferably from the German Swiss side as I live in Schwyz).

I was thinking of the Grimsel/Furka/Susten loop but then it might be better if we were in Italy. Especially as it would be nice to take the CS back home for the day!

[AndrewD]

You can easily do Grimsel, Susten, and the Furka connecting road (I don't call it a pass) in a day trip from Schwyz!
I'd also add Nufenen to the day trip

[chandrew]

The big thing you need to watch out for in Italy is that many of the roads in the mountains are 50kmh (why is beyond me but that's the way it is.) Stelvio is not, but many of the roads around it are.

[Phil-CH]

chandrew said:

The big thing you need to watch out for in Italy is that many of the roads in the mountains are 50kmh (why is beyond me but that's the way it is.) Stelvio is not, but many of the roads around it are.

Indeed. And they often have safety lines along extended periods of the pass that prohibit you from overtaking (despite many parts where doing so would be perfectly safe).

I noticed this on my way back from the south of france where we drove a few passes down into Italy and then back into France. It was a quite frustrating. We really are spoilt in Switzerland, although police presence and speed checks is always a possibility.

One thing to also be aware of, is that a big speed fine in Italy could have consequences in Switzerland (given a Swiss drivers licence). I know of cases where such a case resulted in a driving ban for 3 months and a big fine, despite the fine originating in Italy. Accoarding to a more or less recent article though, this may now be a past thing again because a motorist took a similar case to a higher court who then ruled in his favour.