San Bernardino pass...

[Lyons]

I'm heading to Italy on Sat. After watching the Italian job the other night, I'm tempted to take the San Bernardino instead of the Furka Grimsel route planned. I did the Furka for the first time a couple of weeks ago was great fun!

How would it compare in terms of traffic / road condition / enjoyability?

[RainerM]

Weather-forecast is good :-)), so there might be some more traffic over the pass instead of going via the tunnel ;-)
On a personal side I like it, I do not know how the road-surface actually is, but last time (2009) it was good, north to south is better :-))some very tight bends at the beginning...
Enjoy.
R.

[Lyons]

If I avoid out for bulldozers at the end of tunnels, and shady characters asking 'Your car? Pretty car?' then it should be a blast! The added benefit is i can take in the Furka on the way back... :P

On another topic, what is the policing of these passes like - I haven't see to many police cars, but did notice a lot of helicopters buzzing over the Furka pass. Hope their not armed with speed cameras!

[eyebeebe]

Drove back from Italy via the San Barnardino in July around 8pm on a Sunday evening. Overtook a Dutch focus near the start and didn't see another car the whole way. It was by far the best pass run I've done yet

[Lyons]

What a great road! It was quiet, and road conditions were good. The descent towards Italy I'd rate as the best out off all the passes I've been on, as the road is more open and flowing than ascent on the 'Swiss' side. Can highly recommend it now!

The return Journey we took in the Simplon pass (fantastic scenery) and then the Furka at around 8pm Sunday. Hardly any other cars at that time

[UltimaCH]

I recommend the Nufenen if you can make the detour. Nice road, plenty of bends and little traffic before heading down south through Ticino to Italia.

[AndrewD]

Nufenen is excellent!

[Lyons]

So its next on the list! Could be easliy combined with Furka. Maybe there is time for one more trip before the snow comes...

The road from Carnnobio to Dormadossola is good fun too - although some parts are very narrow, and the locals don't seem to slow down to pass oncoming traffic

Here's me having a bit of fun last Sunday evening...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N46c6rDRQgw

[eyebeebe]

If you are going from Zurich to the Nufenen, my advice would be do a loop of Susten, Grimsel, Nufenen, Gotthard and then if you have the energy back home via the Klausen.