The Ultimate Alps CUA2402
Our first route takes us from Seefeld to Pontresina. Starting in Austria we hit into Italy at the Lago di Resia and end up in Switzerland close to St. Moritz.
The day started rainy and therefore we started a little bit later. The first hour we had to “fight” through heavy rain and limited view. When the rain finally stopped we found a nice place to have a coffee to warm us up from the inside and a cake for letting the soul smile. Always the rain radar checking we head of to the best part of the day, a very winding and dry and narrow road up the Albua Pass. So much fun to ride this road nearly without any other traffic for another 2 hours. After a lunch break at an unexpected nice place, we head off for the Oberalppass, another great road to ride. Lots of fast switchback and fun to ride. Back on “normal” roads we ended up in Brunnen at the Hotel Waldstaetterhof, directly located at the Vierwaldstaetter Lake. A great riding day comes to an end on a great location.
Day 3 starts with a ferry ride across the Lake Lucerne. Light rain is Afterwards we hit into the mountains again and take a beautiful ride over Sustenpass, Göschenenalp, and Furkapass to Zermatt. Light rain and riding in the clouds is a bit challenging today. In the afternoon it loosens up and the sun breaks through the clouds in a spectacular way at the top of the Furka pass.
Weather couldn’t be better on our restday. Plenty if sun accompanies us up to the Gornergrat where we enjoy the spectacular view on the Matterhorn and the several glaciers. Back in Zermatt everybody uses the rest of the day for some shopping, a coffee on a sunny terrasse or a short visit of the Spa in our fantastic hotel. What a beautiful day!!!
After one day not riding, everybody was keen to get on the bike again. First order of business, a coffee break at the Simplon Pass, the highest and coldest point of todays tour. All the way down to the Lake Maggiore we enjoyed very tiny, narrow and winding roads in a beautiful green countryside. And, it gets warmer every minute. Down at the Lake Maggiore we stopped for Lunch and ice cream. The scenery directly on the lake shore were just beautiful and inviting. We wished we could spend more time here, but we had to catch the ferry over the lake and had another hour ahead of us to got to today’s destination, Lugano. We hit Lugano directly at rush hour and the traffic was not like in Switzerland. It was like in Italy, a challenge for the group. But, everybody got safe and sound to the hotel.
The day began with a ferry ride over the Lake of Como. Regarding the high temperatures we decided to go up in the mountains again. Apricatpass, Tonale and the spectacular Gaviapass with a height of 2652 meters/8700 feet.
Today we decided to take the optional route to make space for an afternoon in Bozen. After the usual briefing we head off towards west and had our first stop at the Sanctuary San Romedio. We had a nice short walk and coffee over there. Next stop was the top of the Mount Penegal. We had a great lunch on a wonderful terrace with great view over the mountains and Bozen. Just another hour away, were our hotel in Klobenstein. In the afternoon we went down to the city of Bozen. We use the train and a cable car to get there. Strolling around, little bit of shopping, lots of ice cream and a dinner in a Biergarten made the time flying.
Little bit later but with great expectations started the day. Two of the group decided to go on their own for a ride and the rest went for a Dolomites loop. This loop has it all. Great roads, breathtaking views, photo stops, hidden lunch places, coffee breaks and ice cream. Just a perfect riding day!