Recommendations for Alpine mountain passes near Lake Como..?
Discussion
Hi all,
We're staying on the lake for a few days, and we've got a California T to have some fun with. We're from South Africa so totally clueless otherwise, but I know this is mountain pass terroritory. Are there any suggestions for some fun drives in the vicinity, hopefully not too narrow and terrifying?
Thanks!
We're staying on the lake for a few days, and we've got a California T to have some fun with. We're from South Africa so totally clueless otherwise, but I know this is mountain pass terroritory. Are there any suggestions for some fun drives in the vicinity, hopefully not too narrow and terrifying?
Thanks!
TonyG2003 said:
The roads near Lake Como are not great for driving. Head north to Switzerland and look at the Grimsel, Susten, Furka passes etc.... some great driving there.
Thanks, seems like good advice! I guess I can just type things like 'Susten Pass' into Google Maps and follow?This seems like a good article that echoes your thoughts: http://jalopnik.com/the-worlds-greatest-road-actua...
Edited by jus on Monday 5th June 17:25
Yes you have to be pretty careful on the main roads in Switzerland to drive under the speed limit and get a motorway vinette, but up on the mountains you should be OK.
I'd disagree that the roads mentioned in Italy are better for driving. The Gavia is really narrow (single carriageway in many places) and the Stelvio is too busy unless you catch it on a quite day.
Each to their own but I prefer the Swiss mountain passes.
I'd disagree that the roads mentioned in Italy are better for driving. The Gavia is really narrow (single carriageway in many places) and the Stelvio is too busy unless you catch it on a quite day.
Each to their own but I prefer the Swiss mountain passes.
PositronicRay said:
I'd recommend a narrower car, with more ground clearance.
Yes, you'll need to be very careful driving around the Como area as many of the roads are narrow. You'll find that the locals drive along the middle of the road towards you and pull to their side only at the last second: it's very unnerving until you get used to it!If you head into Switzerland it's worth stopping off in Lugano as it's a lovely city full of tasty cars. Also make sure you travel around the lake on the ferries and spend some time in Bellagio in particular.
Unexpected Item In Bagging Area said:
Yes, you'll need to be very careful driving around the Como area as many of the roads are narrow. You'll find that the locals drive along the middle of the road towards you and pull to their side only at the last second: it's very unnerving until you get used to it!
Already noticed exactly that!! It's crazy and terrifying! :OThanks everyone for the ideas, I'm going to do the Susten Pass / Interlaken area in Switzerland today, and then try some Northern Italian passes tomorrow! The Stelvio seems worth a skip however.
Edited by jus on Tuesday 6th June 08:31
Edited by jus on Tuesday 6th June 08:32
The Crack Fox said:
TonyG2003 said:
The roads near Lake Como are not great for driving. Head north to Switzerland and look at the Grimsel, Susten, Furka passes etc.... some great driving there.
Switzerland, where 1kph over the low limits has the Polizei crawling all over your car, making like awkward. Do you have a vignette? Is your car modified? Show us your insurance. Nein, danke.Just north of Como is the Foppa/Mortirolo Pass, Gavia Pass, San Marco Pass, Stelvio Pass, and many many other empty alpine roads, all in Italy, all utterly magnificent for driving. I have written a book about it, happy to share tips if you need 'em, OP, or google 'nothing handles like a rental car' for some pointers
I have to say the Italian passes you mentioned look more like a slightly smoothed out version of the NC500 ideally suited to a softly sprung MX5.
Made the long trip into Switzerland on the motorway yesterday, in what turned out to be mostly torrential rain! A challenge for someone used to RHD, on foreign roads, etc.
We turned up to the The Susten Pass at the village of Wassen, but annoyingly it ended up being closed, but we were still able to get fairly high up and see some spectacular scenery. It was 6 degrees C at the little restaurant by the gate.
We tried heading to the Furka Pass which was open, but as we climbed it got too foggy to be worth it. As luck would have it, today it's sunny and clear in Como!
We turned up to the The Susten Pass at the village of Wassen, but annoyingly it ended up being closed, but we were still able to get fairly high up and see some spectacular scenery. It was 6 degrees C at the little restaurant by the gate.
We tried heading to the Furka Pass which was open, but as we climbed it got too foggy to be worth it. As luck would have it, today it's sunny and clear in Como!
Remember you only need the swiss road vignette if you go on autobahns.
From Lake Como, I would suggest heading north.
1. Goto into Chiavenna, then keep going north on the SS36, driving the Montespluga pass. Turn around once in Splügen.
2. Return to Chiavenna, then turn east into the Maloja valley. Stunning road and most interesting visits. At Bregaglia, have a look at the old Hotel Bregaglia (stay there for one night if possible!!! They have a basic restaurant on site.). Also google Giacometti and Segantini and visit the Segantini house.
3. Keep going into St. Moritz, but do not stop. Turn south towards Tirano and have a bite there (you are in Italy again!!!). Then go west and return to Lake Como.
If you want to see more alps, the road between Chur and Andermatt is nice. At Andermatt, you could go west into Furkapass or north first into Wassen, then west into Sustenenpass. You could also combine those two stunning passes on a circle tour.
If you want to see a nice Italian town, go to Bergamo. Go by train if possible, get 24h bus tickets at the station, take bus to the funicolare and the funicolare into the the upper town and enjoy. Do not try to get into the upper town with a car. Try to get into Bergamo very early. Visit the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the most stunning Cappella Colleoni. Eat at Trattoria Tre Torri (basic typical bergamo food) and order Casoncelli..
Have fun!
From Lake Como, I would suggest heading north.
1. Goto into Chiavenna, then keep going north on the SS36, driving the Montespluga pass. Turn around once in Splügen.
2. Return to Chiavenna, then turn east into the Maloja valley. Stunning road and most interesting visits. At Bregaglia, have a look at the old Hotel Bregaglia (stay there for one night if possible!!! They have a basic restaurant on site.). Also google Giacometti and Segantini and visit the Segantini house.
3. Keep going into St. Moritz, but do not stop. Turn south towards Tirano and have a bite there (you are in Italy again!!!). Then go west and return to Lake Como.
If you want to see more alps, the road between Chur and Andermatt is nice. At Andermatt, you could go west into Furkapass or north first into Wassen, then west into Sustenenpass. You could also combine those two stunning passes on a circle tour.
If you want to see a nice Italian town, go to Bergamo. Go by train if possible, get 24h bus tickets at the station, take bus to the funicolare and the funicolare into the the upper town and enjoy. Do not try to get into the upper town with a car. Try to get into Bergamo very early. Visit the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the most stunning Cappella Colleoni. Eat at Trattoria Tre Torri (basic typical bergamo food) and order Casoncelli..
Have fun!
Edited by chalda on Wednesday 7th June 20:00
chalda said:
Remember you only need the swiss road vignette if you go on autobahns.
From Lake Como, I would suggest heading north.
1. Goto into Chiavenna, then keep going north on the SS36, driving the Montespluga pass. Turn around once in Splügen.
2. Return to Chiavenna, then turn east into the Maloja valley. Stunning road and most interesting visits. At Bregaglia, have a look at the old Hotel Bregaglia (stay there for one night if possible!!! They have a basic restaurant on site.). Also google Giacometti and Segantini and visit the Segantini house.
3. Keep going into St. Moritz, but do not stop. Turn south towards Tirano and have a bite there (you are in Italy again!!!). Then go west and return to Lake Como.
If you want to see more alps, the road between Chur and Andermatt is nice. At Andermatt, you could go west into Furkapass or north first into Wassen, then west into Sustenenpass. You could also combine those two stunning passes on a circle tour.
If you want to see a nice Italian town, go to Bergamo. Go by train if possible, get 24h bus tickets at the station, take bus to the funicolare and the funicolare into the the upper town and enjoy. Do not try to get into the upper town with a car. Try to get into Bergamo very early. Visit the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the most stunning Cappella Colleoni. Eat at Trattoria Tre Torri (basic typical bergamo food) and order Casoncelli..
Have fun!
Wonderful write-up. Love it.From Lake Como, I would suggest heading north.
1. Goto into Chiavenna, then keep going north on the SS36, driving the Montespluga pass. Turn around once in Splügen.
2. Return to Chiavenna, then turn east into the Maloja valley. Stunning road and most interesting visits. At Bregaglia, have a look at the old Hotel Bregaglia (stay there for one night if possible!!! They have a basic restaurant on site.). Also google Giacometti and Segantini and visit the Segantini house.
3. Keep going into St. Moritz, but do not stop. Turn south towards Tirano and have a bite there (you are in Italy again!!!). Then go west and return to Lake Como.
If you want to see more alps, the road between Chur and Andermatt is nice. At Andermatt, you could go west into Furkapass or north first into Wassen, then west into Sustenenpass. You could also combine those two stunning passes on a circle tour.
If you want to see a nice Italian town, go to Bergamo. Go by train if possible, get 24h bus tickets at the station, take bus to the funicolare and the funicolare into the the upper town and enjoy. Do not try to get into the upper town with a car. Try to get into Bergamo very early. Visit the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the most stunning Cappella Colleoni. Eat at Trattoria Tre Torri (basic typical bergamo food) and order Casoncelli..
Have fun!
Edited by chalda on Wednesday 7th June 20:00
jus said:
Made the long trip into Switzerland on the motorway yesterday, in what turned out to be mostly torrential rain! A challenge for someone used to RHD, on foreign roads, etc.
We turned up to the The Susten Pass at the village of Wassen, but annoyingly it ended up being closed, but we were still able to get fairly high up and see some spectacular scenery. It was 6 degrees C at the little restaurant by the gate.
We tried heading to the Furka Pass which was open, but as we climbed it got too foggy to be worth it. As luck would have it, today it's sunny and clear in Como!
I did the same trip on Tuesday aswell, torrential rain, and when we got near the top of the Furka it was a real pea souper!!!We turned up to the The Susten Pass at the village of Wassen, but annoyingly it ended up being closed, but we were still able to get fairly high up and see some spectacular scenery. It was 6 degrees C at the little restaurant by the gate.
We tried heading to the Furka Pass which was open, but as we climbed it got too foggy to be worth it. As luck would have it, today it's sunny and clear in Como!
I am heading home from Como on Saturday and the Susten Pass is due to open tomorrow so hopefully I can do it on my way home. The Mustang has been an excellent long distance cruiser, and really good fun on the passes (when the weather has allowed).
Darren
You can do the Susten, Furka and Grimsel passes all in one day. Easy. They link together almost perfectly. I even had time to do them twice. Only issue is traffic. You get stuck behind a caravan and that's kind of it. Not that many places to pass (although there are a few). Would suggest early morning or late afternoon. But they are some awesome roads for sure
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