Zurich to Lake Como driving route

[satans worm]

Hi
Looking at going from Zürich to Lake Como in a few weeks time, rather than take the fastest route, I would like to take a more scenic one, although not hours and hours worth of detours!
Ideally a couple of hours drive, lunch somewhere, then another hour or 2 to get to Como (Menaggio).
Any ideas where i can enjoy some roof down passes? good suggestions for lunch/ break areas also welcome
Thanks

[qualityscrew]

This route would be my choice if the passes are open!

[eyebeebe]

Given you don't want much of a detour and it is a 3-4 hour drive to Menaggio from Zurich in the most direct way, I'd look at going via San Bernadino, as it is quieter than heading to the Gotthard. If the pass is open it's much more fun imo than the Gotthard. For lunch I would look at stopping in Bellinzona.
http://g.co/maps/r7mhn

If you want to take more of a detour a five hour route would be down to Altdorf onto the Susten, Grimsel and Nufenenpasses and then back down the motorway. You could stop for lunch at the restaurant on the Grimsel dam.
http://g.co/maps/9wjq9

Bear in mind that the passes could well be closed into June.

[satans worm]

eyebeebe said:

Given you don't want much of a detour and it is a 3-4 hour drive to Menaggio from Zurich in the most direct way, I'd look at going via San Bernadino, as it is quieter than heading to the Gotthard. If the pass is open it's much more fun imo than the Gotthard. For lunch I would look at stopping in Bellinzona.
http://g.co/maps/r7mhn

If you want to take more of a detour a five hour route would be down to Altdorf onto the Susten, Grimsel and Nufenenpasses and then back down the motorway. You could stop for lunch at the restaurant on the Grimsel dam.
http://g.co/maps/9wjq9

Bear in mind that the passes could well be closed into June.

Thanks for the replies, never thought about the passes being closed, how do I check that before hand?
This is my first winter here, and now driving around with the roof down seems a strange concept snow is still on the hills

[eyebeebe]

satans worm said:

Thanks for the replies, never thought about the passes being closed, how do I check that before hand?
This is my first winter here, and now driving around with the roof down seems a strange concept snow is still on the hills

From the Annual Passes Thread

RainerM said:

Good morning,
This link might be interesing for you:
Re. updated info about passes (open-closed)

http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenservice/alpenpaes...

RE.Fluela, open in the morning and early evening (avalance danger) this is not mentioned in this guide;-)

Have a nice day:-)

Rainer and Dot

[smack]

I ended up driving from Zurich to Como last week, and as most of the passes down that direction were still closed deep in snow, I ended up going this way:

Zurich to Chur via the motorway.

Then followed Route 3, using the Lenzerheidepass and the Jullerpass, and turned off to see St Moritz. Then back onto Route 3, using the Passo del Malojo to Italy.

I took the west side of Lake Como, on the SS340, which is very pretty, but slow going. I did that on a Thursday, but if it is the weekend, ora busy time I could only imagine the traffic crawls along.

[satans worm]

smack said:

I ended up driving from Zurich to Como last week, and as most of the passes down that direction were still closed deep in snow, I ended up going this way:

Zurich to Chur via the motorway.

Then followed Route 3, using the Lenzerheidepass and the Jullerpass, and turned off to see St Moritz. Then back onto Route 3, using the Passo del Malojo to Italy.

I took the west side of Lake Como, on the SS340, which is very pretty, but slow going. I did that on a Thursday, but if it is the weekend, ora busy time I could only imagine the traffic crawls along.

Interesting, how long did each leg of the journey take you?

[smack]

satans worm said:

Interesting, how long did each leg of the journey take you?

I'll see if my mates Zumo I borrowed stored it, else work it from the timestamps on my photos and get back to you.

[XJSJohn]

Holy Thread Resurrection !!!

smack said:

I ended up driving from Zurich to Como last week, and as most of the passes down that direction were still closed deep in snow, I ended up going this way:

Zurich to Chur via the motorway.

Then followed Route 3, using the Lenzerheidepass and the Jullerpass, and turned off to see St Moritz. Then back onto Route 3, using the Passo del Malojo to Italy.

I took the west side of Lake Como, on the SS340, which is very pretty, but slow going. I did that on a Thursday, but if it is the weekend, ora busy time I could only imagine the traffic crawls along.

Going to be driving from Zurich to Como in 2 weeks time, been many many many a year since i drove across Switzerland, are any of the interesting routes open at this time (wife wants to see snow - i doubt thats going to be a problem whatever route we take .... ) but is the above route viable for a car on standard all season tyres or is it not possible to get into St Moritz without snow tyres / chains? (don't fancy running chains on a 911 intentionally)

Alternatively, anyone got any good scenic routes that are open in March or am i best sticking to the highway?

[eyebeebe]

XJSJohn said:

Going to be driving from Zurich to Como in 2 weeks time, been many many many a year since i drove across Switzerland, are any of the interesting routes open at this time (wife wants to see snow - i doubt thats going to be a problem whatever route we take .... ) but is the above route viable for a car on standard all season tyres or is it not possible to get into St Moritz without snow tyres / chains? (don't fancy running chains on a 911 intentionally)

Alternatively, anyone got any good scenic routes that are open in March or am i best sticking to the highway?

According to the pass link posted above, all three of those passes should be open. I wouldn‘t expect to need chains, as they should be cleared quite quickly, but fresh snow could cause issues. We haven‘t had great snow this year, but there should be plenty in. St. Moritz.

[XJSJohn]

Cheers, any other accessible nice alternatives to St Moritz that I could add as an alternative on the route?

[eyebeebe]

XJSJohn said:

Cheers, any other accessible nice alternatives to St Moritz that I could add as an alternative on the route?

At this time of year and given you want snow and interesting roads, it‘s probably the best route.