High Alpine Tour 260B, 23.7. - 30.7.2026

14 Jul 2026

/Gábor Kiss

Passes, passes, passes... that’s the motto of the tour. We’ll be riding the quintessential Alpine passes: the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Stelvio Pass, Pordoi, Gardena, Gavia and Albula Passes—to name just a few. There are countless hairpins — 87 on the Stelvio alone, a road every motorcyclist has heard of. From Erding, we head over the Grossglockner to Lienz. Then we travel from Lienz through the Dolomites on our way to Bolzano. There, it’s not just Ötzi—the famous Iceman—vying for your attention, but also the stunning old town and the countless dream roads for motorcyclists in the surrounding area. The next day features the "Queen of Alpine Roads," the Stelvio Pass, where the ride is rewarded with magnificent views and an outstanding wild-sausage burger at Bruno’s. We spend another night in Pontresina, Switzerland, before returning to Austria via the Albula Pass and Liechtenstein. On the final day, heading back to Erding, we visit one of King Ludwig II’s famous castles. Fairytale-like—just like the entire tour!

Chasing Passes Through the Dolomites, that is the plan for today. We left Lienz on a beautiful summer morning, greeted by perfect riding weather and the promise of an unforgettable day in the Dolomites. Our first stop was at the Italian border for the traditional photo before continuing south. From there, the road led us through stunning valleys and rolling mountains, offering spectacular scenery around every corner. A meaningful stop awaited us at Kriegerfriedhof Nasswand, a World War I memorial. Taking a few quiet moments there was a reminder that these magnificent mountains have witnessed both incredible beauty and difficult history. Next came Lake Misurina, one of the most picturesque lakes in the Dolomites. With a coffee in hand and breathtaking views from the terrace, it was the perfect place to relax before tackling the first mountain pass of the day. Riding through Cortina d’Ampezzo, fresh from hosting the Winter Olympics earlier this year, we headed toward Passo Falzarego. Just before reaching the summit, we stopped at a charming local restaurant for lunch. Great food, warm hospitality, excellent weather, and even better company made it a memorable break. But the mountains were calling. The afternoon was all about legendary Alpine roads. Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, and Passo Pinei delivered everything a motorcyclist could wish for—flowing curves, dramatic scenery, and endless smiles inside our helmets. A coffee stop on Passo Pordoi gave us another opportunity to admire the incredible panorama stretching across the surrounding peaks. As every great riding day eventually does, this one also came to an end. We arrived safely at our hotel in Bolzano, where Gerhard welcomed us with a wonderful surprise: an ice-cold bootbeer waiting for us in the parking lot. Sitting together in the garden, we shared the highlights of the day, laughed about our favorite corners, and celebrated another fantastic adventure. A delicious dinner provided the perfect finale to a truly unforgettable day in the Dolomites—one filled with spectacular roads, stunning landscapes, great friends, and memories that will stay with us for a long time.

Conquering Stelvio – From Italy to Switzerland After enjoying a well-deserved rest day, we knew it was time for the highlight—and perhaps the biggest challenge—of our tour. Today we would leave Italy behind and cross into Switzerland, but not before riding two of the most legendary Alpine passes: Passo dello Stelvio and Passo Gavia, both climbing well above 8,500 feet. The morning greeted us with pleasant weather as we rolled out of Bolzano and headed toward Merano. Before tackling the famous 48 hairpins of Stelvio, we made a stop in the charming medieval town of Glorenza. Sitting together on the small piazza with a cup of Italian coffee, surrounded by centuries-old walls, there was a sense of excitement in the air. Everyone knew what was coming next. Then it was time. The first surprise arrived almost immediately. Two large trucks had met in the very first hairpin, leaving only a narrow gap for us to squeeze through. It was a reminder that the mountains always have the final say. Once past that obstacle, the real climb began. Stelvio was alive. Motorcycles, cyclists pushing for the summit, camper vans, cars, and buses filled the road in both directions. Every switchback demanded full concentration, but nobody complained. This is exactly why riders come here. Every corner brought us closer to one of motorcycling’s most famous summits, and when we finally reached the top of Passo dello Stelvio, at 9,045 feet, the smiles said everything. We had conquered the Queen of the Alpine roads. Of course, no visit to Stelvio would be complete without stopping at Bruno’s famous sausage stand. While enjoying a well-earned snack, many of us wandered through the small souvenir shops, picking up a little reminder of a day we knew we would never forget. But the adventure was only halfway over. Another legend was waiting: Passo Gavia. Approaching from the north, we climbed its tight series of hairpins before reaching the summit. A coffee on the terrace, overlooking Monte Gavia, gave us a chance to catch our breath and admire the rugged beauty of the surrounding peaks. The descent on the southern side was a completely different experience. Narrow roads, blind corners, and occasional oncoming traffic kept everyone alert. It demanded respect, smooth riding, and teamwork—and that made it all the more rewarding. As we left the high mountains behind, we enjoyed the final flowing curves through Italy before crossing the border near Tirano. Yet the day had one last gift for us. Passo Bernina welcomed us to Switzerland with beautifully maintained pavement, sweeping curves, and a character all its own. It felt familiar after the Italian passes, yet unmistakably Swiss. We stopped one last time at the summit for a group photo, taking in the glaciers and mountain scenery before enjoying the final ride down to our destination. As the evening settled over the Engadin Valley, we rolled into the cozy Hotel Bernina in Pontresina. Helmets came off, stories began to flow, and there was a quiet sense of accomplishment around the group. We had crossed two countries, conquered some of Europe’s most iconic mountain roads, and shared another day that perfectly captured the spirit of motorcycle travel. Days like this aren’t measured in kilometers or elevation gained. They’re measured in smiles, shared memories, and the feeling that tomorrow’s ride has a hard act to follow.

Every motorcycle adventure eventually reaches its final chapter, and today was ours. While none of us were quite ready for it to end, we still had one more beautiful day of riding ahead before returning to Erding. After a relaxed breakfast at Hotel Jägeralpe, we set off under clear skies, enjoying the cool mountain air one last time on this tour. The road gently carried us down from the Alps, where flowing curves and peaceful valleys reminded us to savor every remaining kilometer. Before long, we crossed into Germany at Füssen, leaving the high mountains behind but not the incredible memories they had given us. The summer sun was already making its presence felt, so our first stop came at just the right moment. In the heart of Füssen, we found a charming café with a shaded terrace. Over coffee and cold drinks, conversations naturally drifted to our favorite passes, unforgettable viewpoints, and the countless smiles we had shared throughout the week. Only a few miles later, one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks came into view. Perched high above the forest, Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II’s fairy-tale masterpiece, looked every bit as magical as expected. Cameras came out, photos were taken, and for a few moments we simply admired one of Bavaria’s most famous sights before continuing our journey. The afternoon ride led us along quiet country roads that wound through picturesque villages, green fields, and rolling hills. It was a different kind of riding than the dramatic Alpine passes, but equally enjoyable. Relaxed, flowing, and perfectly suited for reflecting on everything we had experienced together. By the time we reached Lake Starnberg, the summer heat had reached its peak. The shaded terrace at Buchscharner Seewirt provided a welcome escape as we enjoyed our final lunch together. The water looked incredibly inviting, and more than one of us was tempted to jump in. This time, however, we resisted the call and settled for a cool drink while enjoying the beautiful lakeside atmosphere. One last stretch of road took us through the villages south of Munich before we made our final coffee stop at the welcoming Sauerlacher Post. With each kilometer, the realization slowly sank in that our adventure was coming to an end. As we rolled back into Erding and parked our motorcycles at the Garage of Hotel Henry, there was a feeling that every rider knows. Satisfaction from an incredible journey, mixed with the wish that it could continue just a little longer. That evening, over our farewell dinner, we relived the highlights of the tour. We talked about Stelvio’s endless hairpins, the breathtaking Dolomites, perfect riding roads, unforgettable scenery, and countless moments of laughter. More than anything, we celebrated the friendships that had grown stronger with every shared mile. The motorcycles will head in different directions tomorrow, but the memories will travel home with each of us. Because that’s what makes these tours so special. It’s never only about the roads we ride—it’s about the people we meet, the experiences we share, and the stories we’ll be telling long after the engines have fallen silent. Until the next adventure.

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