CUA260A - Ultimate Alps | Blogbeiträge

The Ultimate Alps Tour truly came alive today. After a relaxed breakfast at our hotel in Pontresina, everyone gathered for the morning briefing. The big question had already been settled the night before: Should we ride the short route or go all in? The decision was unanimous. We would tackle the long route—330 kilometers, five legendary Alpine passes, countless switchbacks, and a full day of unforgettable riding. Before diving into the mountains, we made a quick photo stop at the beautiful shores of Lake St. Moritz, whose crystal-clear waters reflected the surrounding peaks perfectly. Cameras clicked, smiles appeared, and then it was finally time to warm up our cornering skills on the Maloja Pass (1,815 m / 5,955 ft). Its flowing bends provided the perfect introduction to what would become an incredible day in the Alps. Not long afterwards, we briefly crossed into Italy, where there was only one sensible thing to do—refuel ourselves with a proper Italian espresso before pointing our bikes back toward Switzerland. Our return route led us over the spectacular Splügen Pass (2,114 m / 6,936 ft). While the road itself is a masterpiece of Alpine engineering, today's real surprise came from the opposite direction. A parade of beautifully restored vintage cars was climbing the pass, each one looking as if it belonged in a museum rather than tackling one hairpin after another. Watching these automotive classics dance through the switchbacks was almost as entertaining as riding them ourselves. The next highlight was the San Bernardino Pass (2,066 m / 6,778 ft), where the peaceful mountain lake at the summit offered another perfect excuse to stop, stretch our legs, and simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Eventually, we descended back into the valley for lunch at a tiny pizzeria tucked beside a charming waterfall. The owner looked remarkably like Anthony Quinn—or perhaps his long-lost twin brother—and served us what many agreed was one of the best pizzas of the tour so far. Whether it was his secret recipe or simply the appetite earned from a morning of mountain riding, nobody could say for sure. The afternoon wasn't getting any cooler. As we rode through the valley toward the Passo del Lucomagno (1,915 m / 6,283 ft), the summer sun showed no mercy. Temperatures climbed well into the 100s °F, making every bit of shade along the route feel like a luxury. Fortunately, the spectacular mountain scenery more than compensated for the heat. One final challenge remained: the Oberalp Pass (2,044 m / 6,706 ft). Timing turned out to be everything. We crossed the summit just before the road was closed for a supercar race. As we rolled through Andermatt shortly afterwards, it felt as though the automotive wealth of a small nation had gathered in one place. Bugatti Veyrons, Pagani Zondas, and countless other exotic machines lined the streets, waiting for their turn to charge up the Oberalp Pass. By late afternoon we finally reached Brunnen, where Markus was already waiting to welcome us and guide us safely to our parking spaces. After a day spent riding in intense summer heat, the cool, air-conditioned hotel rooms felt like pure luxury. Dinner was served on the hotel's lovely terrace overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee). As if the Alps wanted to reward us one final time, the evening ended with a spectacular sunset. Towering clouds lit up in brilliant shades of orange and deep red, providing the perfect finale to an unforgettable day in the mountains. Tomorrow, the adventure continues as we head toward Zermatt. Everyone is excited to see what the next chapter of the Ultimate Alps Tour has in store.

Today started a little differently: right after breakfast, we left the hotel and rode for fifteen minutes along the lakeshore to the ferry terminal for the crossing across Lake Lucerne. While waiting for the boat to arrive, Markus told us about the day ahead—about Sherlock Holmes in Meiringen; the mountain passes of Central Switzerland (specifically the Susten and Furka, which we would conquer that day); the Rhône Glacier and the source of the Rhône River; the historic steam train that runs over the Furka; and mysterious, round stone slabs found beneath wooden huts. The wait flew by, and we glided across the mirror-smooth water to the opposite shore. Before tackling the Susten Pass, we stopped for coffee right at its base. At this junction, the road from the Grimsel Pass meets those coming from the Susten and Brünig passes—if we had earned a cent for every motorcycle passing through, we would have been millionaires by evening! We rode over the Susten Pass on a spectacularly engineered road; the higher we climbed, the more pleasant the temperatures became. After a brief stop at the summit, we continued via Göschenen toward Andermatt. Just before reaching the town, we stopped at the Devil’s Bridge, where Markus recounted the story of the clever residents of the Canton of Uri who outwitted the Devil himself. Shortly after Andermatt, Philipp was waiting for us with an excellent picnic—though the location had to be changed due to a cycling race. Dramatic towering clouds were approaching from the west, trailing grey veils of rain, and the distant rumble of thunder boded ill. Thankfully, we had already finished our lunch break, so the plan was simple: gear up for the rain and ride through it as fast as possible! We encountered a brief, heavy downpour followed immediately by dry roads—a pattern that repeated itself two or three times on our way to Zermatt. We spotted the steam train in the distance, and as we rolled through the Valais, we also caught sight of the huts perched on the stone slabs! Finally, we reached Täsch, where we had to park our motorcycles and take a shuttle into Zermatt—a town where internal combustion engines are banned. An eventful day drew to a close over a relaxed dinner and lively conversation.

Today marked our fourth riding day on the Ultimate Alps Tour, and after a well-deserved rest day it was time to leave the peaceful mountain village of Zermatt behind us. The morning began with one last unforgettable look at the mighty Matterhorn, standing proudly above the rooftops as if it wanted to remind us why Zermatt is one of the most iconic mountain destinations in the world. Since Zermatt is famously car-free, our day started a little differently than usual. We walked to the train station, boarded the shuttle train to Täsch, and there we had our Daily Briefing. At the parking garage in Täsch were we reunited with our motorcycles, ready for another spectacular day in the Alps. Our first challenge was the legendary Simplon Pass (6,581 ft / 2,005 m). The Simplon has been one of the most important Alpine crossings for centuries, connecting northern Europe with Italy. Its strategic importance grew enormously when Napoleon ordered the construction of the famous Simplon Road in the early 19th century, creating one of the first modern roads across the Alps. Today, the pass is known not only by motorcyclists and cyclists but also by fans of the Austrian premium bicycle manufacturer SIMPLON, which took its name from this historic Alpine crossing to symbolize quality, endurance, and the spirit of mountain adventure. For a change, our support van partially shared the same route with us today, giving everyone the perfect chance for a joined coffee break together right on top of the pass. Good coffee, great company, and breathtaking Alpine scenery and a huge sausage—sometimes it's the simple moments that become the best memories. From there we descended towards Italy, where the landscape slowly transformed with every kilometer. The rugged Alpine peaks gave way to chestnut forests, palm trees began appearing along the roadside, and before long we were cruising beside the sparkling waters of Lago Maggiore. It didn't take long for everyone to notice that unmistakable Mediterranean feeling creeping in. Our lunch stop in the charming lakeside village of Cannero couldn't have been better. Sitting directly on the shores of Lago Maggiore, we enjoyed delicious Italian food while watching boats drift across the lake under blue skies. Of course, one lake crossing deserves another adventure, so after lunch we boarded the ferry and crossed Lago Maggiore before pointing our bikes back towards the mountains. Apparently, none of us had enjoyed enough twisties yet, so we climbed the scenic San Antonio Pass (4,820 ft / 1,469 m). The narrow road demanded everyone's attention, and as we negotiated the countless blind corners, the cheerful sound of the tour guides motorcycle horn echoed through the mountains, making sure oncoming traffic knew we were approaching. Soon enough we crossed back into Switzerland, safely completing our little Italian excursion. We almost managed to reach Lugano completely dry—but only almost. With just the final two miles remaining, the weather decided we deserved a refreshing shower. Fortunately, after a warm summer day in the saddle, nobody seemed to mind too much. Another fantastic day on the Ultimate Alps Tour is now behind us. Tonight we enjoy one last good night's sleep in Switzerland before heading back into Italy tomorrow, where the next three nights—and many more unforgettable Alpine roads—are waiting for us.

Rain, Roads, and the Warmest Welcome Our seventh riding day began under brilliant blue skies in the beautiful Val di Sole. The sunshine, the fresh mountain air, and the promise of another incredible day made it hard to leave. Although the direct ride to our next hotel would have taken only about two hours, we unanimously chose the scenic option: a four-hour loop to the south around the impressive limestone peaks surrounding Cima Tosa—often affectionately referred to as the "wannabe Dolomites" because of their dramatic appearance, despite belonging to the Brenta Group rather than the Dolomites themselves. The route led us through the winding roads of Adamello Brenta Nature Park, where every corner revealed another postcard-perfect view. Dense forests, rushing mountain streams, and endless curves reminded us once again why northern Italy is a motorcyclist's paradise. Our first stop was the stunning Lake Molveno, one of Italy's clearest alpine lakes. The lake was formed thousands of years ago after a massive prehistoric landslide blocked the valley, creating a natural basin that gradually filled with crystal-clear mountain water. During periods of exceptionally low water, ancient tree stumps become visible on the lakebed. Radiocarbon dating has shown that some of these preserved trees are around 3,000 years old, providing fascinating evidence of the dramatic geological events that shaped the region. From there we continued north through peaceful valleys until we reached Lake Coredo, where an unexpected surprise was waiting for us. Markus had prepared another exceptional picnic in a beautiful spot right beside the lake. Surrounded by towering trees and overlooking the calm water, it was the perfect place to relax, share stories, and recharge for the afternoon. Unfortunately, while we enjoyed our lunch, the weather had other plans. Dark clouds slowly gathered above us, and before long the first raindrops began to fall. Out came the rain gear, and just in time. As we climbed the legendary Mendel Pass (1,363 m / 4,472 ft), the heavens truly opened. From that moment on, the rain never let up. What followed became a true team effort. Together we tackled the busy afternoon traffic of Bolzano, navigating countless lane changes, roundabouts, traffic lights, and impatient commuters—all while the rain poured relentlessly. Spirits remained high, and despite the challenging conditions, everyone rode safely and we rocked the challenge together! Our reward came at the end of the climb to Klobenstein, where the beautiful Bemelmans Post Hotel welcomed us with warmth, comfort, and a chance to finally dry off. Many of us agreed that this is one of the nicest hotels of the entire Ultimate Alps Tour. And the best part? We don't have to pack our luggage tomorrow. A well-earned rest day awaits before the adventure continues... Or will we tackle some more passes tomorrow just for the fun of it?

After six unforgettable riding days through some of Europe's greatest mountain roads, today was officially our rest day in Collalbo. At least, that's what the itinerary said. Reality looked a little different. While two of our riders decided to fully embrace the "rest" part of the program by enjoying the hotel's wellness area and taking only a short ride of their own, everyone else had already made up their minds over breakfast. Today's destination was obvious: the Dolomites. And honestly, who could resist? Few mountain ranges are as distinctive as the Dolomites. Their towering pale cliffs almost seem to glow in the sunshine, standing in sharp contrast to the deep green forests below. The mountains owe both their unique appearance and their name to the mineral dolomite, first identified by the French geologist Déodat de Dolomieu in the late 18th century. What we ride through today was once a tropical coral reef more than 250 million years ago. Over millions of years, the movement of the Earth's crust lifted those ancient reefs high into the sky, creating one of the world's most spectacular riding destinations—and one that has rightfully earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leaving Collalbo, we dropped down toward Bolzano before turning east into what can only be described as a motorcyclist's playground. Today's route consisted of two magnificent loops connected by a short transit section, with enough corners to keep everyone smiling from the first kilometer to the last. The weather was certainly on our side this time. Yesterday's relentless rain had washed the roads clean, and today's warm sunshine had done the rest. Dry asphalt, crystal-clear visibility, and comfortable temperatures made for almost perfect riding conditions. Our first stop was the beautiful Lago di Carezza. Surrounded by dense forests and framed by the dramatic peaks of the Latemar massif, the lake greeted us with its famous emerald-green water. Cameras came out immediately, although no photograph ever quite captures how beautiful this place really is. Then it was time to get back to what we had all come for. Corner after corner carried us over Passo Costalunga (5,745 ft / 1,751 m) and onward to Passo San Pellegrino (6,302 ft / 1,918 m). Lunch was waiting at the summit, where surprisingly excellent burgers quickly became the topic of conversation. Whether it was the quality of the food or simply the incredible Dolomite panorama surrounding us remains open for debate—but nobody left hungry. The afternoon brought us to another icon of the region: the mighty Marmolada, the Queen of the Dolomites. We admired her towering glacier from the eastern side before continuing to Lago di Fedaia, where the calm water reflected the surrounding peaks in such vivid shades of turquoise that several riders remarked it almost looked as though the Northern Lights had settled beneath the surface. Sometimes nature simply refuses to be outdone. After retracing our route over Passo Costalunga (5,745 ft / 1,751 m), we headed north toward Passo Nigra (5,528 ft / 1,685 m). A short stretch of traffic reminded us that we weren't the only ones enjoying this glorious summer day, but once the road opened up again, so did the smiles inside every helmet. The flowing corners returned, the views became even more spectacular, and before long we found ourselves climbing the final switchbacks back toward Collalbo. It was impossible not to compare today's ride with yesterday's. The very same roads that had challenged us in cold rain now felt completely transformed by sunshine. It's amazing how differently a mountain pass can feel in just twenty-four hours. Back at the hotel, there wasn't much discussion about whether skipping the "rest day" had been the right decision. It absolutely had been. In the evening we wandered into the village to the Bürgerstube, where we enjoyed another delicious South Tyrolean dinner. And yes—pizza definitely counts as local food here! Between hearty meals, plenty of laughter, and conversations about favorite corners and perfect photographs, the evening disappeared almost as quickly as the day itself. Tomorrow is already our final riding day together. One last chance to enjoy the magnificent roads of Alto Adige, one last collection of legendary Alpine passes, and one more day to create memories that will stay with us long after the engines fall silent.

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