Greatest Rides in the Alps

[Windchaser]

Hi all,

New here. Brit by nationality but now live in Switzerland, home to some of the best riding in the world. Just watch you speed, especially around towns and cities. If your 25km over the limit; boy, your in a whole heap of merde.

I have been riding Ducati’s for years, also just picked up a KTM 690 Duke to go play with up in the mountains. I have also organised the European Multistrada Meeting for the last few years.

One of my “give backs” to the community is https://www.motoroutes.net/. If you’re going to the alps, if you want to ride the best routes to ride, this is your guide.

If you’re interested in participating, it would be great to get some more UK routes in the directory.

Happy trails

g
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Ducati Multistrada
KTM Duke

[Enduro Numpty]

Been to Switzerland a few times over the years. Maybe I'll try your recommendations the next time.

[dansp1]

Love riding in the mountains but avoid Switzeland like the plague,
fine you for farting the swiss will

[J biker]

4 of us in Switzerland in July. My third time passing through. Great roads, enjoyed Davos towards Stelvio and St Gottard pass last time. Got two days in St Moritz after Austria before heading to Bourge St Maurice. No passenger this year so looking forward to the hairpins and the mountains (mts1200 )
We always go steady in towns and villages but did manage some unwanted attention when in France in 2011. Oops. (Though my mates stoppie was a bit of a high light!)

[Ali in Austria]

I see Tim from www.alpineroads.com has entered many routes around our area on there. When I get time I'll see what he has missed and add any significant ones.

www.bestbikingroads.com is also a great resource. I've put a few on there.

I unfortunately have to echo dansp1's comment about Switzerland though. They don't impose fines by half and expect it on the spot. You don't even have time to remortgage which I would have to do judging by the fines I am aware people have received
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A Petrol Head in The Alps
https://www.youtube.com/user/PensionHausMaria
https://facebook.com/pension.haus.maria

[Irn-Bru]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be3B7HuLrvE

This vid makes me want to go to
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[motobiker]

[Windchaser]

[Ali in Austria]

[Windchaser]

[Ali in Austria]

Its not the traps I warn about as like you say, they can be anywhere but not that common in National Speed Limits.

It is the financial penalty involved that gives me great concern. I have ridden in Switzerland many times over the years. I like a "spirited ride" but have never been caught out...yet.

If I was hit with an immediate fine like that it would cause me significant hardship and is always at the back of my mind when riding in Switzerland. Just a word of warning.

Also, watch out for Swiss plated vehicles outside of Switzerland. Once liberated from their countries borders they drive like lunatics
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A Petrol Head in The Alps
https://www.youtube.com/user/PensionHausMaria
https://facebook.com/pension.haus.maria

[northernsky]

[Windchaser]

[J biker]

In the mountains, you only see cameras in the small villages..

There you have it, some of the best roads in the world, you just need to be careful where you exercise you right wrist.[/quote]

Thanks for the info.

We have had no bother in the mountains either, though one of the passes is supposed to have a regular speed trap (cant remember which one, listed on another site) . My guess is that it will be on a straight section before, or in a village anyway...

Our rule of thump has always been stick to speed limits in villages and the approach to built up areas. Then GLF else where.

[Ali in Austria]

I have seen them on Mountain Passes but there are normally so many bikes around you get plenty of warning.

One of note that seemed a bit elaborate was on the southern side of The Timmelsjoch. A police van and a number of officers were at the top. They had a couple on the roof of the van spotting bikes on the way up. I can only guess that something was in place further down but I never saw it. They were stopping Bikes. Fortunately I was going the other way. Possibly something else had happened and the stops were for other reasons.

Last year there was a swarm of about half a dozen Police bikes patrolling The Großglockner on the day The Can Am Spyder Owners had their Großglockner Challenge. Events such as this are common there and don't usually attract a Police presence. It didn't last long though as one of them binned it big style and was airlifted out. The others appeared to have lost interest and left shortly afterwards. It was the only day last year I can recall seeing a Police presence up there.

The penalties in Austria for anything other than riding like a lunatic are actually quite inexpensive in the grand scheme of things. Hence why Austrians do flout The National Speed Limit on a regular basis but most will adhere to lesser restrictions. The Police tend to be quite predictable as to where they will be if you are local. IGL limits on motorways are switched on when the air quality is poor. If you get caught in one of those it is considered to be an environmental offence and the fine is higher. Speed restriction accompanied by "Lärmschutz" are put in place to control or reduce noise and can be expected to be monitored regularly.

Without any prior warning you will probably fail to see a speed trap in time as they actively hide and are not dressed in DayGlo as in the UK. Even after warnings from other bikers there have been occasions when I have been unable to spot the gun and only saw the officers stopping the vehicles around the corner.

On a foot note, you can regularly ride all day without seeing a Police Officer and on occasions when I have come up behind them I have been encouraged to "get on with it" without any come back.

Speed enforcement is no where near as prolific as in the UK but it does take place.
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A Petrol Head in The Alps
https://www.youtube.com/user/PensionHausMaria
https://facebook.com/pension.haus.maria

[willis1337]

Don't worry, France will be catching up next summer. Proposals pending: 80kmh national speed limit and tripled speed traps with on the spot fines.

So anyone avoiding Switzerland now, better add France too.
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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S