Next Summer - Alpine Run - would love some critiques/advice
Discussion
Howdy cartography experts - substantial birthday coming up next year means I'm in a spot to take a trip across the pond to fulfill a dream I've had for nearly 20 years about a road trip in, around, and through the Alps. I've been working on refining the route - using threads from this subforum, books from my local library, buying beers for folks in my automotive orbit who have been in this part of the world, and there's a Tour de France stage or two thrown in for good measure.
What I've got is a 7-10 day route starting from a Porsche rental center in either Stuttgart of Munich (didn't know they had those and it's enabled some really intrusive thoughts) and essentially running around the border of Switzerland. I'd love to get some feedback from folks who have done any or all of this route in the past - hopefully this GPX route viewer works for y'all so you can dive in and see how I've got it staged. I'm thinking about doing this in June so I've got a decent likelihood that the passes are open at elevation.
Also if anyone has experience with renting from Porsche Drive, I'd love to hear about it.
[EDIT] This export isn't quite perfect - the segment between Jausiers and Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee got cut out from the original map, but it gets the general route roughly correct.
https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/display/map/20251024...
What I've got is a 7-10 day route starting from a Porsche rental center in either Stuttgart of Munich (didn't know they had those and it's enabled some really intrusive thoughts) and essentially running around the border of Switzerland. I'd love to get some feedback from folks who have done any or all of this route in the past - hopefully this GPX route viewer works for y'all so you can dive in and see how I've got it staged. I'm thinking about doing this in June so I've got a decent likelihood that the passes are open at elevation.
Also if anyone has experience with renting from Porsche Drive, I'd love to hear about it.
[EDIT] This export isn't quite perfect - the segment between Jausiers and Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee got cut out from the original map, but it gets the general route roughly correct.
https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/display/map/20251024...
Edited by midnightdorifto on Saturday 25th October 01:08
As you're passing Andermatt I would hope you take in the loop (Susten, Grimsell, Furka and also Nufenen)? I would also not use the Gotthard tunnel and instead use one of the passes above it.
Near Salzburg I'd also recommend visiting the Eagles Nest.
I'd skip the Frejus tunnel and instead take the Mt Cenis pass.
Near Salzburg I'd also recommend visiting the Eagles Nest.
I'd skip the Frejus tunnel and instead take the Mt Cenis pass.
Edited by mr pg on Saturday 25th October 07:37
mr pg said:
As you're passing Andermatt I would hope you take in the loop (Susten, Grimsell, Furka and also Nufenen)? I would also not use the Gotthard tunnel and instead use one of the passes above it.
Near Salzburg I'd also recommend visiting the Eagles Nest.
I'd skip the Frejus tunnel and instead take the Mt Cenis pass.
This is incredibly helpful - I've made some alterations to my original route accordingly (and figured out how to shut off road closures so I can plot through the winter).Near Salzburg I'd also recommend visiting the Eagles Nest.
I'd skip the Frejus tunnel and instead take the Mt Cenis pass.
Edited by mr pg on Saturday 25th October 07:37
One question for you - is it worth taking the day to do the full loop? I've seen some commentary elsewhere that Nufenen is probably a better road than Furka - if I had to do just one, would you skip Furka and take Nufenen?
midnightdorifto said:
This is incredibly helpful - I've made some alterations to my original route accordingly (and figured out how to shut off road closures so I can plot through the winter).
One question for you - is it worth taking the day to do the full loop? I've seen some commentary elsewhere that Nufenen is probably a better road than Furka - if I had to do just one, would you skip Furka and take Nufenen?
Yes, use a day for the loop. Nufenen is a better drive, Furka more picturesque imv. I prefer Nufenen.One question for you - is it worth taking the day to do the full loop? I've seen some commentary elsewhere that Nufenen is probably a better road than Furka - if I had to do just one, would you skip Furka and take Nufenen?
I'm not sure weather you are going clockwise or anti-clockwise, but for the Blackforest section I would stay on the B500 all the way from Baden-Baden to Waldshut near the Swiss border. Cracking road all the way with Lake Titisee and Wolfach en route.
For your Dolomites section I would include driving the Sella Ronda. You will cover the Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Pordoi Pass, and Giau Pass and it is sensational. Your route already includes the Gardena Pass. Corvara and Santa Christina are nice ski villages for accommodation in that area.
As mentioned, above avoid the tunnels. I would also avoid motorways as much as possible.
For your Dolomites section I would include driving the Sella Ronda. You will cover the Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Pordoi Pass, and Giau Pass and it is sensational. Your route already includes the Gardena Pass. Corvara and Santa Christina are nice ski villages for accommodation in that area.
As mentioned, above avoid the tunnels. I would also avoid motorways as much as possible.
rst99 said:
I'm not sure weather you are going clockwise or anti-clockwise, but for the Blackforest section I would stay on the B500 all the way from Baden-Baden to Waldshut near the Swiss border. Cracking road all the way with Lake Titisee and Wolfach en route.
For your Dolomites section I would include driving the Sella Ronda. You will cover the Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Pordoi Pass, and Giau Pass and it is sensational. Your route already includes the Gardena Pass. Corvara and Santa Christina are nice ski villages for accommodation in that area.
As mentioned, above avoid the tunnels. I would also avoid motorways as much as possible.
For your Dolomites section I would include driving the Sella Ronda. You will cover the Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Pordoi Pass, and Giau Pass and it is sensational. Your route already includes the Gardena Pass. Corvara and Santa Christina are nice ski villages for accommodation in that area.
As mentioned, above avoid the tunnels. I would also avoid motorways as much as possible.
As it turns out - Canazei ends up being the perfect place to stop for lunch on the loop. Thank you!
What’s your precise route south of Grenoble and back north on the Route des Grandes Alpes? E.g. It looks like D1075 whereas I’d probably recommend the N85 further west. It’s not that clear how you get across to south of the Col de la Bonette either.
I’ve lived in Geneva for >25 years and ridden that region by motorbike at least once annually; next trip is to Corsica (for the fifth time) next September. I’ll be happy to share a few tips and recommendations.
PS I’ve got the day off today and am driving to Thun and back via the Fribourg Alps for a spot of lunch. Tough job, but someone’s gotta do it
I’ve lived in Geneva for >25 years and ridden that region by motorbike at least once annually; next trip is to Corsica (for the fifth time) next September. I’ll be happy to share a few tips and recommendations.
PS I’ve got the day off today and am driving to Thun and back via the Fribourg Alps for a spot of lunch. Tough job, but someone’s gotta do it
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