Ready to experience the stunning beauty of the Alps like never before? Embarking on a road trip through this majestic mountain range offers endless opportunities to discover picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and exhilarating drives. Let’s explore some of the most breathtaking routes that will leave you in awe at every turn.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the most iconic drives in the Alps. This scenic route winds through Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner, offering jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and valleys. With 36 hairpin bends and an elevation of over 2,500 meters, the drive is both thrilling and picturesque. Along the way, you can stop at various lookout points, including the Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe, where you can see the Pasterze Glacier.
Stelvio Pass, Italy
The Stelvio Pass is famous for its 48 hairpin turns, making it a must-drive for road trip enthusiasts. Located in the Italian Alps, this route is not just about the challenge but also the stunning views of the Ortler Alps. The road climbs to an elevation of 2,757 meters, making it the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps. The exhilarating drive is complemented by breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, deep valleys, and lush forests.
Furka Pass, Switzerland
The Furka Pass, made famous by the James Bond film Goldfinger, offers an unforgettable drive through Switzerland’s Uri Alps. The road climbs to an altitude of 2,429 meters, providing panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and pristine glaciers. The highlight of this route is the Rhone Glacier, which you can visit by taking a short detour. The drive itself is a blend of tight turns, steep inclines, and dramatic scenery that will leave you in awe.
Susten Pass, Switzerland
The Susten Pass is another gem in the Swiss Alps, offering a smooth and scenic drive that connects the cantons of Uri and Bern. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,224 meters, is known for its well-maintained surface and gentle curves, making it a favorite among motorcyclists and car enthusiasts. Along the route, you’ll encounter waterfalls, alpine meadows, and the Steingletscher Glacier, all set against a backdrop of towering mountains.
Col de l’Iseran, France
The Col de l’Iseran is the highest paved pass in the Alps, standing at 2,770 meters above sea level. Located in the French Alps, this route offers breathtaking views of the Vanoise National Park and its surrounding peaks. The road is a mix of sweeping bends and straight sections, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the stunning scenery. The route is especially popular among cyclists, as it is often featured in the Tour de France.
Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, Austria/Italy
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, also known as the “secret passage,” connects Austria and Italy through the Ötztal Alps. The route climbs to an altitude of 2,509 meters, offering breathtaking views of both Austrian and Italian landscapes. The road is a blend of tight hairpins and long straight stretches, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the surrounding alpine terrain. A visit to the Timmelsjoch Experience, a museum dedicated to the region’s history, is a must.
Great St. Bernard Pass, Switzerland/Italy
The Great St. Bernard Pass is one of the oldest routes through the Alps, with a history dating back to Roman times. The pass, which reaches an elevation of 2,469 meters, offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The road is a mix of gentle curves and steep climbs, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. Along the way, you can visit the Great St. Bernard Hospice, which has been providing shelter to travelers for centuries.
Col du Galibier, France
The Col du Galibier is a legendary pass in the French Alps, known for its challenging climbs and stunning vistas. The road, which reaches an altitude of 2,642 meters, is a favorite among cyclists, as it is often featured in the Tour de France. The drive offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, including the Aiguilles d’Arves and the Meije. The route is a mix of tight hairpins and sweeping bends, making it a thrilling drive for any road trip enthusiast.
Julier Pass, Switzerland
The Julier Pass is a stunning route through the Swiss Alps, connecting the Engadin Valley with the rest of Switzerland. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,284 meters, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The drive is a mix of tight turns and long straight stretches, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the stunning scenery. The pass is especially beautiful in the autumn when the surrounding forests are ablaze with color.
Bernina Pass, Switzerland
The Bernina Pass is a scenic route through the Swiss Alps, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,328 meters, connects the Engadin Valley with the Italian border. The drive is a mix of gentle curves and steep climbs, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the surrounding alpine terrain. The pass is also home to the famous Bernina Express, a scenic train route that offers panoramic views of the Alps.
Klausen Pass, Switzerland
The Klausen Pass is a stunning route through the Swiss Alps, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The road, which reaches an elevation of 1,948 meters, is a mix of tight turns and long straight stretches, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. The pass is especially beautiful in the summer when the surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers. Along the way, you can stop at various lookout points to take in the stunning scenery.
Flüela Pass, Switzerland
The Flüela Pass is a scenic route through the Swiss Alps, connecting the towns of Davos and Susch. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,383 meters, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The drive is a mix of gentle curves and steep climbs, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the surrounding alpine terrain. The pass is especially beautiful in the autumn when the surrounding forests are ablaze with color.
Umbrail Pass, Switzerland/Italy
The Umbrail Pass is a lesser-known route through the Swiss and Italian Alps, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,501 meters, is a mix of tight turns and long straight stretches, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. The pass is especially beautiful in the summer when the surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers. The route also connects to the Stelvio Pass, offering even more stunning views.
Col de la Bonette, France
The Col de la Bonette is one of the highest paved roads in Europe, reaching an elevation of 2,715 meters. Located in the French Alps, this route offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The road is a mix of tight turns and long straight stretches, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. The route is especially beautiful in the summer when the surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers. The summit of the pass offers panoramic views of the Alps, making it a must-drive for any road trip enthusiast.
Simplon Pass, Switzerland
The Simplon Pass is a historic route through the Swiss Alps, connecting the Valais region with northern Italy. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,005 meters, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The drive is a mix of gentle curves and steep climbs, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the surrounding alpine terrain. The pass is especially beautiful in the winter when the surrounding mountains are covered in snow.
Albula Pass, Switzerland
The Albula Pass is a scenic route through the Swiss Alps, connecting the Engadin Valley with the rest of Switzerland. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,315 meters, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The drive is a mix of tight turns and long straight stretches, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. The pass is especially beautiful in the autumn when the surrounding forests are ablaze with color.
Gavia Pass, Italy
The Gavia Pass is one of the most challenging drives in the Italian Alps, with narrow roads and steep drops making it a thrilling experience for any road trip enthusiast. The route climbs to an altitude of 2,621 meters, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The drive is a mix of tight hairpins and long straight stretches, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the stunning scenery. The pass is especially beautiful in the summer when the surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers.
Passo del San Gottardo, Switzerland
The Passo del San Gottardo, or St. Gotthard Pass, is one of the most important routes through the Swiss Alps, connecting the north and south of the country. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,106 meters, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The drive is a mix of gentle curves and steep climbs, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the surrounding alpine terrain. The pass is especially beautiful in the winter when the surrounding mountains are covered in snow.
Col de la Croix-de-Fer, France
The Col de la Croix-de-Fer is a scenic route through the French Alps, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,067 meters, is a mix of tight turns and long straight stretches, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. The pass is especially beautiful in the summer when the surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers. The route is also popular with cyclists, as it is often featured in the Tour de France.
Passo di Giau, Italy
The Passo di Giau is a stunning route through the Italian Alps, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The road, which reaches an elevation of 2,236 meters, is a mix of tight hairpins and long straight stretches, making it a thrilling drive for road trip enthusiasts. The pass is especially beautiful in the summer when the surrounding meadows are filled with wildflowers. The route also offers stunning views of the Dolomites, making it a must-drive for any road trip enthusiast.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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