The Drive from Mindelheim, Germany to Grindelwald
Nov 3rd, 2005, 08:56 AM
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The Drive from Mindelheim, Germany to Grindelwald
I did both a mapquest and mappy search and got pretty much the same route and about a 4-hour drive.
I plan to leave Mindelheim around 10am or shortly after breakfast and don't have to check in at Grindelwald until about 6pm, so I have roughly 8 hours.
Any recommendations for alternate, scenic routes?
Are the passes pretty much open around mid-May?
The route goes about 22kms in/out of Austria. Anyway out of spending 7.60 Euro for a vignette for that one-time shot thru Austria? Don't plan to return into Austria this trip. Alternate/scenic route around the that stretch of autobahn? (I know I'll have to purchase the 40 Sfr vignette once I get into Switzerland.) Since I'll have the Navigation system, maybe I'll just meander around it, but would appreciate any ideas.
Place to stop for lunch on the way with scenic view about 1-2pm?
I plan to leave Mindelheim around 10am or shortly after breakfast and don't have to check in at Grindelwald until about 6pm, so I have roughly 8 hours.
Any recommendations for alternate, scenic routes?
Are the passes pretty much open around mid-May?
The route goes about 22kms in/out of Austria. Anyway out of spending 7.60 Euro for a vignette for that one-time shot thru Austria? Don't plan to return into Austria this trip. Alternate/scenic route around the that stretch of autobahn? (I know I'll have to purchase the 40 Sfr vignette once I get into Switzerland.) Since I'll have the Navigation system, maybe I'll just meander around it, but would appreciate any ideas.
Place to stop for lunch on the way with scenic view about 1-2pm?
Nov 5th, 2005, 05:25 AM
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Hi Budman,
Unfortunately, passes are usually closed until mid- late-June.
Here's a site where you can track them easily:
http://www.tcs.ch/main/de/home/verke...ll/paesse.html
Sorry I can't be of more help, but I usually take the trains --
s
Unfortunately, passes are usually closed until mid- late-June.
Here's a site where you can track them easily:
http://www.tcs.ch/main/de/home/verke...ll/paesse.html
Sorry I can't be of more help, but I usually take the trains --
s
Nov 5th, 2005, 08:21 AM
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Budman,
s is right about the passes (hi s - glad to see you posting here). I don't think, however, that it makes sense for you to drive deeper into the Alps (too far) so you might not get a chance to drive these higher passes.
I have driven from Dresden to Lauterbrunnen in one day and did not buy the vignette in Switzerland - the smaller roads are just too scenic! (and no, you don't need to buy the vignette for Austria since you don't drive on motorways there)
I recommend following route:
In Germany drive from Mindelheim via Kempten, Immenstadt and Sonthofen to Fischen where you take the pass route via Obermaiselstein and Balderschwang into Austria. In Austria drive via Dornbirn to Altstätten in Switzerland (take the minor roads).
From Altstätten drive up to Stoss (which is a low pass) and further via Gais (great views of Mt. Säntis) to Appenzell. Have lunch somewhere in the area.
From there I would continue via Hundwil, Lichtensteig to Rapperswil. Cross Lake Zurich on the dam, drive via Rothenthurm to Art-Goldau, Küssnacht am Rigi to Luzern. Continue via Sarnen and Brünig Pass to Interlaken, Grindelwald.
You don't need to buy a vignette for this route. The drive is quite scenic, with low passes, offering views of the Alps, and many lakes. Please don't make too many photo stops to save time
Ingo
s is right about the passes (hi s - glad to see you posting here). I don't think, however, that it makes sense for you to drive deeper into the Alps (too far) so you might not get a chance to drive these higher passes.
I have driven from Dresden to Lauterbrunnen in one day and did not buy the vignette in Switzerland - the smaller roads are just too scenic! (and no, you don't need to buy the vignette for Austria since you don't drive on motorways there)
I recommend following route:
In Germany drive from Mindelheim via Kempten, Immenstadt and Sonthofen to Fischen where you take the pass route via Obermaiselstein and Balderschwang into Austria. In Austria drive via Dornbirn to Altstätten in Switzerland (take the minor roads).
From Altstätten drive up to Stoss (which is a low pass) and further via Gais (great views of Mt. Säntis) to Appenzell. Have lunch somewhere in the area.
From there I would continue via Hundwil, Lichtensteig to Rapperswil. Cross Lake Zurich on the dam, drive via Rothenthurm to Art-Goldau, Küssnacht am Rigi to Luzern. Continue via Sarnen and Brünig Pass to Interlaken, Grindelwald.
You don't need to buy a vignette for this route. The drive is quite scenic, with low passes, offering views of the Alps, and many lakes. Please don't make too many photo stops to save time
Ingo
Nov 5th, 2005, 05:08 PM
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Ingo, what a great route!! That will take some of the bore out of driving via the autobahns.
I checked out the route on mapquest and it comes to about 6 hours driving time. That gives me about 2 hours for lunch and photos on the way. If I roust my wife up early, it could give us an extra hour.
Thanks for taking the time to provide this informative post.
I checked out the route on mapquest and it comes to about 6 hours driving time. That gives me about 2 hours for lunch and photos on the way. If I roust my wife up early, it could give us an extra hour.
Thanks for taking the time to provide this informative post.
Feb 13th, 2006, 04:42 AM
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Ingo, I was reading a few posts concerning the mountain passes not being open until 1 June. The above route you recommend, will I have any problems with any mountain passes/roads around the 20th of May?
