West Austria - North Italy - East Switzerland Advice?

[iswoolley]

Heading off on a road trip to the Alps for a couple of weeks in September two-up on a Varadero. Currently the only objectives are the Stelvio pass (for me) and Neuschwanstein castle (for her).

So given that we're likely to be passing through the Black Forest, the Tirol, the Italian lakes, and most of Switzerland... any advice on where to go/stay and what to see? Not just after amazing roads but also places we can spend the day off the bike chilling out or being touristy.

[Darkenbad]

I'm heading for Austria and Slovenia in September, thinking of the 107 over Grosglockner, then over the border into Slovenia the Soca valley is supposed to be stunning.

PK

[Dee Duble Yuh]

It's fairly difficult not to find good roads down that way. The Grossglockner is great - allow plenty of time to get the full benefit of the toll you have to pay! From there you can go on to the Plockenpass into Italy; that's an amazing road, though little-used these days.

My report of a trip last year: Austria 07: Über-touring Europe

[Darkenbad]

Good stuff Dave,
the Grossglockner looks the biz , will definately ride that. I'm probably going to enter Austria south of Munich, head for Innsbruck and the Tyrol,then southeast to the Slovenian border if all goes well.

Thanks again for the report.

PK

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Neuschwanstein castle is well worth a visit. Nearby Fussen is a pleasant stopover or camping with a view at lake Plansee (belting road too).

Personally, the Italian Dolomites do it for me everytime.
Cortina d'Ampitello puts you right in the heart of it all with camping at Canzei (or a small town just west of it in the Val di Fassa (the name slips me at the mo).

A great base to tour out from - fantastic roads, small tracks, good walking, wartime history/monuments/battles etc. All with a backdrop of mountain scenery not bettered anywhere

Here's one of us heading over 'Passo di Sella' (2240m) in mid April





Phil

[severs]

On the way from Aust to Switz don't miss out on the Arlbergpass. And if you go to the south side of Lake Constance (Bodensee), pop into Dornbirn.

Heading west in Switz, the area around Interlaken is nice.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Heading west in Switz, the area around Interlaken is nice.

Yep & pop to Lauterbunnen when there, beautiful with lots of outdoor activities - if thats your thing.

Phil

[Knobblywobbly]

For the Austrian bit of your adventure consider staying in Otz - a nice little place close to Innsbruk and on the road to Timmelsjoch, a fantastic pass into Italy. There are lots of other routes/passes close by (Jaufenpass, Penser Joch, Kuhtai, Stelvio, etc.), and a visit to the fancy castle with the name I can´t pronounce or spell is a nice easy daytrip from here.

There are plenty of reasonably priced hotels in and around Otz and all are biker friendly - We stayed in the Alpenhotel and had undercover parking for the bikes. There´s also another Hotel/Pizzaria/Restaurant a couple of miles before you reach Otz, which had excellent rooms for €25 per person.


At the top of Timmelsjoch


The road down the Italian side Timmelsjoch

[Tramperman]

Hi

Make sure you buy your "vignette" (Austrian road tax) before entering, or at the first filling station after entering Austria.
Its about 7 Euros.
You can get this dreaded ticket from machines in service stations etc.

I entered Austria via Switzerland last May and didnt realise I needed it, the border control was closed. There was no signs to tell you to buy this ticket.
I got stopped in a roadside check, and fined 65 Euros.
I was well pissed off I can tell you.

Stelvio pass is stunning, squirt...brake. squirt brake, it just goes on and on.

Have fun.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Using Autobahns in both Switzerland and Austria require vignettes. You can buy an Austrian one for only a week or so (can't remember) so it's reasonably cheap (see Tramperman's warning above); I believe for Switzerland you can buy only one for the whole year, which is a rip-off for someone just passing through. Maybe someone can confirm that? ... oops I mean .