Grand Alps Tour - CGA2602

Here we are at last—Seefeld, the small town at an elevation of 1,180 meters, is the starting and ending point of our journey through the Alps. It’s already worth a photo or two. And while our guides are still hard at work with the preparations, some of us are picking up a few riding tips or exploring nearby Innsbruck. In the afternoon, we’ll all meet up for a briefing. There, we’ll get all the important information for the next few days and really get excited about finally hitting the road. After our first dinner together, we’ll try to get as much sleep as possible, because tomorrow we’re finally start our Trip on the road, Adventure here we come.

Two Groups, One Goal and Our First Alpine Passes The Grand Alps Tour is finally underway. After all the preparations, we started our engines this morning and set off on the first stage of our Alpine adventure. And right from the beginning, we had one important organizational change to make. With 14 guest motorcycles in the group, safety comes first. We therefore divided the riders into two groups of seven, each led by one of our experienced tour guides. Two smaller groups make it easier to manage the pace, ensure safe riding through the corners, and, of course, make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. The first group left the hotel a few minutes ahead of the second one. However, a small technical issue shortly after the start required some attention. And so, the situation quickly changed – after our first stop, the second group was already back on the road and eventually moved ahead. Our first major Alpine highlight was Hahntennjoch at 1,894 metres. It offered exactly what we had come for – spectacular mountain scenery, plenty of corners and a road that immediately put smiles on the riders' faces. After descending from the pass, we found a pleasant guesthouse where we stopped for a tasty lunch. With everyone refuelled, we continued our journey. Our next destination was Gacher Blick. Here we parked the motorcycles for a while and exchanged the curves for spectacular views. And there was plenty to see. The Alpine valleys opened up beautifully in front of us, reminding us that the Grand Alps Tour is not only about kilometres and hairpin bends. It is also about those places where you simply want to stop, take a breath and enjoy the scenery. Meanwhile, a more practical question began to occupy some of the riders: how far can we still go on the fuel we have left? Two riders had already started to worry a little about their remaining range. Fortunately, most of the route ahead was downhill into the valley. After refuelling, all concerns disappeared, and just a few kilometres later we reached today's destination – the beautiful Posthotel in Pfunds. The hotel is currently surrounded by some construction work, but after our first day in the saddle, it certainly did not spoil our mood. We enjoyed a short refreshment and some well-deserved rest before waiting for the second group to arrive. Once everyone was back together, we slowly got ready for dinner and could officially mark the first day of the Grand Alps Tour as successfully completed. Two groups, a little technical adventure, one proper Alpine pass, spectacular views and 14 motorcycles reunited at the end of the day. Tomorrow brings another chapter. We will leave Austria behind and cross the border into Switzerland, where more legendary mountain roads and passes are waiting for us. One of the highlights will be Flüela Pass. Today was only an introduction. The Tour has just getting started.

The second day of riding on our tour begins once again with perfect weather—well, okay, it’s a little cold, we’ll admit that, but hey, at least the sun is shining😉. Switzerland, here we come. After a spectacularly winding warm-up ride along the Swiss border, we soon reach the first highlight of the day. The Flüele Pass impresses not only with its dreamlike curves but even more so with the view of the surrounding mountains. At this time of year, the play of colors up here is particularly impressive. We spend most of the afternoon on small side roads, following the source of the Rhine for a while. We enjoy the ride through the valleys and small villages before finally reaching Andermatt via the Oberalp Pass—our destination for today. We can feel the James Bond vibe.

Today is the first rest day of our tour, and we’re glad we can leave the hotel a little later. Because overnight, some ice actually found its way onto our bikes. And while some of us prefer to leave our motorcycles behind in the morning and explore the city, the rest of us tackle what are probably Switzerland’s most famous mountain passes. The Furka, Grimsel, and Susten Passes are on the agenda this morning. And what can we say—it’s simply spectacular. At noon, we all meet up in the Göschenental for a picnic together by the river. And while some of us go on to climb the Gotthard and Nufenen Passes afterward, the rest of the group enjoys a free afternoon in beautiful Andermatt. What a day!

The fifth day of our Grand Alps Tour and our fourth day on the road started a little differently from the previous ones. The chilly morning weather prompted us to move the briefing into the hotel's meeting room, where we presented our guests with two alternative routes from Andermatt in Switzerland to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in France. One was shorter and less demanding, while the other offered more kilometres and a generous dose of Alpine curves. Our riders' decision was unanimous. Everyone opted for the longer route! And so, once again, we split into two groups of seven and set off on another adventure. Our first major challenge of the day was Susten Pass, one of Switzerland's iconic mountain passes. The winding road took us through spectacular Alpine scenery, and after conquering the pass, we headed to the small town of Meiringen, where we enjoyed a well-deserved break for coffee and hot chocolate. Meiringen is famous not only for its location in the heart of the Bernese Oberland but also for its connection to one of the most celebrated literary stories. Nearby Reichenbach Falls was chosen by author Arthur Conan Doyle as the setting for the dramatic confrontation between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty in the 1893 story The Final Problem. The town still celebrates this literary connection with a museum and a bronze statue of the famous detective. Naturally, we couldn't resist stopping by Sherlock Holmes for a quick photo and a little sightseeing. After this pleasant break, we continued to Interlaken, a charming town nestled between Lakes Thun and Brienz. Its name literally means "between the lakes", and thanks to its location beneath the majestic peaks of the Bernese Alps, it is one of Switzerland's best-known tourist destinations. We stopped here for lunch and recharged our batteries before tackling the second part of our route. The road then took us through countless picturesque villages, mountain valleys and stunning landscapes towards the next Alpine passes. Col du Pillon, Col de la Croix and Col de la Forclaz gradually offered us another generous helping of curves, breathtaking views and that unmistakable Alpine atmosphere. Each of these passes had its own unique charm, and the kilometres rolled by to the rhythm of our engines. The scenery gradually changed as we made our way closer to our destination for the day. Before the final stretch, we refuelled our motorcycles to make sure we had enough fuel for the last part of the journey. Then it was time for the final stage, which brought us safely to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in France, at the foot of majestic Mont Blanc. Another day filled with mountain roads, spectacular views and unforgettable experiences was behind us. The longer route proved to be an excellent choice, and all our riders thoroughly enjoyed the journey. We left the Swiss mountain passes behind and France welcomed us at the foot of the highest peak in the Alps. The Grand Alps Tour continues!

After yesterday’s very long and traffic-heavy day, we want to keep conquering mountain passes today. And this region in France is exactly the right place for it. That’s because some of the most spectacular mountain passes on the Tour de France lie between us and our destination. Today, we’ll tackle five of these current or former challenges from the world’s most famous bike race. We’ll start with the Col de Saisies, followed by the Col de Madeleine. There, we’ll enjoy our lunch amid perfect weather and breathtaking views. In the afternoon, we’ll ride up the Col de Telegraphe to the Col de Calibier, with its stunning mountain scenery. The Col de Lautaret will then be our last pass for the day. Our destination today is Briançon, where we’ll spend the next two nights at a very charming hotel.

A Rest Day in Briançon and a Ride to the Legendary Col d’Izoard After several demanding days in the Alps, we finally enjoyed a well-deserved rest day in the French town of Briançon, one of the highest-altitude towns in France, situated at approximately 1,326 metres above sea level. Briançon has a rich history, and its strategic location at the crossroads of five valleys has made it an important settlement since ancient times. Its greatest pride is its impressive fortifications, designed by the famous military architect Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban. These remarkable defensive structures, dating back to the 18th century, are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town, with its narrow streets, historic buildings and fortified walls, is the perfect place to explore the region's history at a leisurely pace. Some of us decided to spend the day relaxing, strolling through the historic centre and discovering the charming corners of the town. However, the larger part of the group simply couldn't resist the call of the Alpine roads and chose to explore the surrounding area on their motorcycles. Their first stop was Mont-Dauphin, a fortified town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction was commissioned by King Louis XIV after the Savoyard invasion of 1692, and the fortress was designed by Vauban. Work began in 1693, and the main fortifications were completed by 1700. The fortress was built on a strategically important plateau, from where it was possible to control the surrounding valleys and protect access to the French interior. Today, Mont-Dauphin remains a remarkable example of military architecture and fortified town planning. After exploring the town, we enjoyed a coffee together before heading towards another motorcycling highlight – Col d’Izoard. This legendary mountain pass is one of the iconic roads of the French Alps, famous not only for its winding bends but also for its dramatic mountain scenery. All our riders thoroughly enjoyed the ride, proving that even a rest day can deliver a generous dose of motorcycling adventure. After returning to Briançon, a well-deserved rest awaited us. Not every day has to be about covering kilometres. Sometimes, all you need is good company, spectacular views and a few unforgettable curves. The Grand Alps Tour continues, and we are ready for more Alpine adventures!

It’s another cool morning with a bright blue sky. How lucky can you get? Day eight of our tour begins once again with perfect conditions. And while the first few kilometers through the valleys around Briançon are still quite cool, our first pass of the day takes us to the proverbial sunny side of the mountains. Over the Col de l’Echelle, we first head into Italy, where we enjoy the first “real” cappuccino of our tour. Over the Col du Mont Cernis, we ride toward the highlight of our day. The Col de l’Iseran is the highest paved pass in the Alps, and we enjoy the incredible view over a magnificent picnic. Countless curves later, we reach today’s destination: Aosta—certainly not the most spectacular stop on our journey, but just right for our next leg of the trip.

From Aosta in Italy to Lugano in Switzerland Today was one of the longer and more varied stages of our Grand Alps Tour. In the morning, we left the Italian town of Aosta and headed south, looking forward to a day that would combine beautiful countryside roads, a touch of history and a rather unusual experience – a ferry crossing on Lake Maggiore. Our first stop was Fort Bard, which stands majestically above the narrow valley of the Dora Baltea River. This strategically important location has guarded the entrance to the Aosta Valley since ancient times. The first written reference to a fortified settlement here dates back to 1034. The fortress became particularly famous in 1800, when it managed to hold up Napoleon's army for several weeks as it advanced through the Alps towards Italy. After capturing it, Napoleon ordered its demolition. Between 1830 and 1838, however, King Charles Felix of Sardinia had the fortress rebuilt. The monumental structure we see today is a fascinating example of 19th-century military architecture. After a short stop to admire this historic landmark, we continued our journey. And then came the part of the day that all motorcycle enthusiasts had been looking forward to. The Italian foothills offered exactly what we love most about riding – winding roads, countless curves, picturesque villages and spectacular views. The kilometres passed at a pleasant pace, and we enjoyed every twist and turn along the way. One of the more unusual highlights of today's stage was a ferry crossing on Lake Maggiore. After hours in the saddle, we had the opportunity to take a break, admire the surrounding landscape from a different perspective and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lake, framed by mountains. After disembarking, however, a less enjoyable part of the day awaited us. Our planned route was disrupted by a detour caused by road reconstruction, and the final kilometres into Lugano tested our patience. Heavy traffic and the bustle of the city were quite a contrast to the peaceful country roads we had enjoyed earlier. Eventually, we all arrived safely in Lugano, the largest city in the Swiss canton of Ticino, situated on the shores of the lake that shares its name. The city has a distinctly Italian character, reflected in its architecture, cuisine and overall atmosphere. Its history stretches back centuries, and it has been part of Switzerland since 1513. Today, Lugano is known not only for its beautiful setting between the lake and the mountains but also for its historic centre, lakeside promenade and pleasant Mediterranean atmosphere. Another day full of contrasts was behind us – from a historic fortress and beautiful Italian roads to a scenic lake crossing and a busy urban arrival. The Grand Alps Tour continues, and we are once again one day and countless experiences richer!

Today is all about enjoyment. Fewer kilometers and less challenging roads, but plenty of la dolce vita. We start the day with a leisurely ride along Lake Lugano and head back to Italy, where we relax with a cappuccino on the shores of Lake Como. Our ride takes us through countless little villages back into Switzerland, where the Maloja Pass keeps us well entertained with its perfect curves and even better asphalt. From here, it’s not far to the hotel. Passing mighty glaciers, we cross the Bernina Pass and head back to Italy. Here in Livigno, a true wellness oasis awaits us, which we enjoy to the fullest.

It’s cool this morning, and thick fog hangs over the mountains around Livigno—not unusual for this time of year, but still a bit of a novelty for us, who are used to sunshine. This somewhat capricious weather will be with us today… Spoiler alert: we’ll make it through with dry feet. We head back into Switzerland via the Ofen Pass. The sun is shining, and life is good. After a brief stop in beautiful Glorenza, our paths diverge: while some of us set off on a long loop via the famous Stelvio Pass and other more or less famous passes, other members of the group decide to take a shorter route. The ride up to the “Stilfser Joch” is always a highlight, even if you cover half of the challenging route in the clouds. Via the surprisingly narrow Passo Gavia, the nearly perfect Passo Tonale, and the roller-coaster-like Passo Mendola, we get closer to our destination kilometer by kilometer. The ride along the shorter route offers genuine hidden gems instead of the big-name passes; unfortunately, a storm near Merano makes it difficult to continue, but we turn off just in time and reach our destination with dry feet. We spend the next two nights in Collalbo, a bit north of Bolzano—our gateway to the Dolomites.

Today’s rest day was spent differently by everyone. In the morning, eight out of our fourteen guys gathered at the motorcycles, so the two tour guides divided them into two small groups of four and off we went. From Collalbo, we first rode through Bolzano before heading deep into the spectacular Dolomites. Almost 280 kilometres of fantastic roads took us through Lago di Lavazè, Tesero, Predazzo, Tonadico, Agordo, Dont and Selva di Cadore, with plenty of mountain passes along the way – including Passo di Lavazè, Passo San Pellegrino, Passo Duran, Forcella Staulanza and, finally, Passo di Costalunga (Karerpass). What was supposed to be a quiet rest day without a planned ride turned into another fantastic day in the Dolomites – full of curves, mountain passes and spectacular scenery that was simply too good to resist.

Today we once again set off in two groups from our hotel in Collalbo, heading towards Kaprun in Austria. Another fantastic day of mountain roads awaited us, including Passo Valparola, Passo Falzarego, Passo Tre Croci and later Iselsberg Pass. The true highlight of the day, however, was Grossglockner. One of the most iconic Alpine roads offered us exactly what we had hoped for – spectacular high-mountain scenery, countless bends and an experience that will certainly rank among the highlights of the entire Grand Alps Tour. After conquering Grossglockner, we refuelled our motorcycles and continued to Kaprun, where Hanna was already waiting for us at the hotel with one of the company's favourite traditions – BootBeer. A beer or non-alcoholic drink, motorcycle boots and stories from the day just completed. That is what BootBeer is all about: riders and passengers meeting up while still in their full riding gear, relaxing together and sharing the experiences, emotions and best moments of the day's ride. The Grand Alps Tour is slowly approaching its finale, but every day continues to give us new memories.

The fog hangs thick and heavy over the valley as we meet for our briefing this morning. Our last day of riding is dawning—spoiler alert: we’ll stay dry again today. After just a few kilometers, the fog lifts, revealing a view of the surrounding mountains. The light is perfect, and so we ride—once again in awe—through yet another postcard-perfect idyll. The Gerloss Pass and the Krimml Waterfalls are our highlights of the morning. Riding through the Zillertal and the Inntal valleys, we head toward a small town called Hall, whose medieval town center provides the backdrop for our lunch break. With all these impressions in tow, our ride finally ends in Mieming, where we get a brief peek behind the scenes at Edelweissbiketravel. And with that, our two-week tour is slowly coming to an end. We spend the afternoon and evening sharing all our memories and saying goodbye. It was a fantastic time. Hanna, Rubin, and Tom