Alps · Grand Passes

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

Four countries, twenty passes.

A loop from Munich over the most storied paved passes in the Alps: Grossglockner, Stelvio, Gavia, Furka, Grimsel and Susten. Each day brings 200–320 km of switchbacks, hairpins and high plateaus above 2,000 m. A classic for riders who are already comfortable in the mountains and want the great roads of Europe in one week on a mid-weight touring bike.

• The 48 hairpins of the Stelvio at 2,757 m
• Grossglockner High Alpine Road and Edelweissspitze at 2,571 m
• Furka, Grimsel and Susten in a single day
• The Engadine valley and the lakes of Upper Bavaria

1. 01
   DAY 1 · 40 km, bike setup

   Munich, collecting the bikes

   We meet in Munich before noon, sign the rental paperwork and fit the bikes and panniers. In the evening a short 40 km shakedown ride around the city and a route briefing.

   Overnight: Hotel in Munich
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 290 km, pass at 2,504 m

   Bavarian lakes and the Grossglockner

   Past the Chiemsee and Berchtesgaden into Austria and on to Zell am See. In the afternoon the Grossglockner High Alpine Road: 36 bends up to the Hochtor at 2,504 m and the spur to the Edelweissspitze at 2,571 m above the Pasterze glacier. About 290 km.

   Overnight: Hotel in Heiligenblut
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 240 km, three passes

   The Dolomites: Falzarego and Pordoi

   Down to Lienz and into Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo, then the Falzarego (2,105 m), Pordoi (2,239 m) and Sella (2,218 m) passes around the Sella massif. Night in Val Gardena. About 240 km.

   Overnight: Hotel in Ortisei
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 230 km, Stelvio 2,757 m

   Stelvio and Gavia

   Through Merano into the Val Venosta and up the northern face of the Stelvio: 48 numbered hairpins to 2,757 m. Down to Bormio, then the Gavia at 2,621 m with its narrow single-lane upper section, and back to Bormio. About 230 km.

   Overnight: Hotel in Bormio
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 260 km, four passes

   Bernina, Engadine, Julier

   From Bormio via Livigno and the Forcola di Livigno into Switzerland. The Bernina at 2,328 m beside the Morteratsch glacier, St Moritz, the Julier at 2,284 m, then the Oberalp at 2,044 m into Andermatt. About 260 km.

   Overnight: Hotel in Andermatt
6. 06
   DAY 6 · 130 km, three passes above 2,100 m

   Furka, Grimsel and Susten

   The classic Andermatt loop: Furka at 2,429 m facing the Rhône glacier, Grimsel at 2,164 m with its dams, down to Innertkirchen and back up over the Susten at 2,224 m. Excellent tarmac, busy after midday. About 130 km, with the afternoon free.

   Overnight: Hotel in Andermatt
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 340 km, bikes returned

   San Bernardino, Maloja and Bavaria

   A long run home: San Bernardino at 2,066 m, Maloja at 1,815 m, the Engadine to Scuol and through Landeck into Austria. We finish via Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Munich and return the bikes in the evening. About 340 km.

   Overnight: Hotel in Munich
8. 08
   DAY 8 · Departure

   Departure from Munich

   Breakfast and departures. For anyone staying on, Ivan suggests a day loop to the Königssee or a route through the Bavarian Forest.

   Overnight: —