I am currently in the planning stages for a summer driving tour of the Alps, and wondered if ya'll could give me some advice. My husband and I will be flying into Venice and renting a car to visit family in Friuli. We will then head towards the Cortina/Corvara area to do some hiking in the Dolomites. We would like to make our way towards Switzerland (Bernese Oberland), however neither of us has been there, and we're not quite sure of the best route to take. We definitely want to go to Gimmelwald, and then probably fly out of Zurich.

So what would be the best route to take from Cortina to Gimmelwald? We're not necessarily looking for the fastest route... just something that's scenic with some nice villages along the way. We're definitely into the nothing-to-do-but-view-the-scenery kind of places. Anyone know of any good stops along the way?

Thanks!
michelle

I would definately recommend driving through the Engadin because it's so beautiful. However, it's a long drive to Berner Oberland but definately doable.

You have many routes to choose from. I would buy or print out a map and decide what you want to see. Do you want to drive passes only? You can drive to Interlaken without ever using the Autobahn. A long but beautiful drive over many passes.

You can also choose to see St. Moritz or Davos.

If you start your journey in the morning, you'll be able to make it Interlaken by the evening.

For a real "cool" driving experience, you might even want to rent a convertible.

How many days do you have for the drive and for the trip overall? Can you be flexible and take a longer time for the drive or do you want to keep it to a set number of nights?

What month is the trip?

Are you interested in hiking in other areas of Switzerland? (Read something other than Rick Steves if you want an idea of other regions in Swizerland like the Engadine which have wonderful hiking and fantastic scenery, but which they don't talk much about. . .)

For a start, get a good map showing mountain passes. Then go to Map Quest Europe and get an idea of what the fastest routing would be, that is what they generally show. You can then break it up by taking back roads. (I assume you know you cannot drive to Gimmelwald, but have to park in one of the valley towns like Lauterbrunnen, so on Map Quest, enter Lauterbrunnen ss the destination.)

I agree on the convertible, however, it is hard to get rental companies to guarantee these, so don't be surprised if you don't end up getting one.

From your post I am assuming you are planning to do one or two overnight stops during the drive. And I think you don't want to base yourselves in Gimmelwald, do you? I'd better stay somewhere else since this is a very tiny village. I suggest Mürren.

For the driving route: I recommend you drive via Bozen - Meran - Müstair - Ofen Pass - Guarda (overnight). Continue next day via Flüela or Albula Pass towards Chur and drive up the Rhine valley to Disentis. From there via Oberalp Pass and Furka Pass to Hotel Belvedere and stay there overnight. Next day drive via Grimsel Pass and Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen/Stechelberg where you have to park your car.

This is a very scenic route and involves a number of passes to drive. Along the route you find plenty of cultural and natural highlights which may make you want to stay another night here or there.

Hi famsd,

Sorry no information for your route as I'm a train type of person.

But just a note -- did you know that Gimmelwald doesn't allow cars? You'll have to park somewhere -- probably Lauterbrunnen -- for the duration of your trip. Same with Muerren. Grindelwald is the only mountain village that allows cars (Lauterbrunnen does too of course, but it's at a lower elevation).

s

Thanks for your replies! I guess I should have been more specific in describing our plans. We will be going in July, probably for 3 weeks (1.5 weeks in the Dolomites and 1.5 weeks for the drive from the Sella Ronda to Gimmelwald area... yup, I know about the no driving there). We are flexible on the nbr of days spent to get there. We'd like to drive mostly the passes and are interested in staying in out of the way places that usually aren't in the travel guides (ex: my fave places in the Dolomites are Sappada and Sauris). This trip would focus on scenic driving, hiking, and sampling the local cuisine.

Ingo nailed it!! (Hi Ingo! ) We have dobe that drive through Mustair and the Ofenpass and it is magnificent and remote. The Engadin is one of my favorite parts of Switzerland. I think it is as beautiful as the Berner Oberland and the food is far better.

Have a great time!

Hey Swandav2000!!

Hi SloJan!

famsd, that makes a difference! So you have approx. 10 days for the drive to and the stay in the Bernese Oberland.

I still think the route I suggested is the most scenic. Of course you can break up the drive anywhere inbetween - I suggest you leave three nights for the Bernese Oberland (max. four), three nights in the Engadin (Guarda, Hotel Meisser recommended), two nights in either Flims or Disentis and one in the Hotel Belvedere right below the Furka Pass.

I will admit these places are not really "off the beaten path". The problem is that the most beautiful places are well discovered by the tourists ... and if you want to enjoy these places you have to share them with tourists. Even in July.

So, not in the (American) travel guides is probably Ardez - you can stay there instead of Guarda, Hotel Aurora is a good choice (http://www.engadin-start.ch/aurora/index.html). Or stay in Sils, which *is* in the travel guides, but the scenery is too beautiful ...

Please give us an idea how you want to split up your days (how many stops? how long in the Bernese Oberland?). And please let us know about the price range for hotels.

Sorry, I don't really have much information, but thought I would mention the rental car fees. I'm assuming you are aware that rental companies usually charge a very hefty fee (upwards of hundreds of dollars) for picking up in one country and dropping off in another? Not sure if you knew this or not, but I thought I would add this information as it may affect your travel plans depending on your budget. It's worth considering.

Sounds like a great trip!
Tracy