Driving around in the Alps is quite an experience. You have not yet passed the first turn or the next one is already coming. Climbing the landscape from the valley to see changing from wooded slopes with splashing waterfalls to alpine pastures where no tree can be found and asphalt roads that cut through the eternal snow. On top of the mountain, enjoy phenomenal views of the surrounding snowy peaks, as if you were standing on the roof of the world. For me that is pure enjoyment and that is why I rate this route with 5 stars.

The route starts in Innsbrück at the loading bay of the OEBB. There are daily car trains from Düsseldorf that have this place in the south of Austria as the end point. You can also reserve a place for the motorbike on this night train. Leave in the evening and arrive late the next morning. For more information see the link below.

In Innsbruck, the route comes almost directly past a petrol station. The gasoline prices in Austria are quite lower than in the Netherlands, so it is wise to refuel here.

Despite the fact that Innsbruck is a fairly large city with 130,000 inhabitants, after 3 kilometers you are already out of built-up areas. On the left and right you can already see the hilltops looming, that promises something! And indeed, at Kematen in Tirol you turn onto the L13. This road winds along a river, the Melach. Beautiful curves and steep cliffs alternate.

Once you have arrived on the L63, you drive along the viewing platform Gache Blick. This platform at 1,559 m above sea level offers a breathtaking view of the Inn Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. In good weather you can see for miles.
A small warning is appropriate if you are afraid of heights. The platform still hangs a few meters above the ground, the 'floor' consisting of steel grids.
In the restaurant Gauchenblick there is a continuous exhibition called '3000m Vertikal'. This exhibition brings the visitor closer to the natural features of the natural park. An interactive walk through the different habitats - from the eternal ice to the dry steppe slopes in the valley - opens up interesting perspectives on plants, animals and people in the natural park. In addition, a film takes you back to a bygone era. The exhibition is open all day from Mon-Sun 10 am-6pm.

Leave the L63 at Kauns and continue on Reschen Bundesstraße. You will reach Lake Reschen via the Finstermünz Pass and Nauders. The Reschenmeer is a reservoir at about 1520 meters above sea level, just over the Austrian-Italian border, close to the Reschenpass. The lake is six kilometers long and is one kilometer wide in the widest places.
The reservoir was created in 1950 after the construction of a dam between 1948 and 1950. Before the dam was built, three more lakes could be found. Next to the Reschenmeer were the Mittersee and the nearby Haidermeer, which is located south of the Reschenmeer.
As a result of the dam, the original village of Graun and much of Reschen were flooded. 163 houses were demolished and 523 hectares of land were flooded. Today the church tower of Alt-Graun, the old village center of Graun, protruding above the surface reminds of the former village.

The route continues towards Switzerland and at Tubre the Italian-Swiss border is passed. Shortly after that, turn left onto the Umbrail Pass. A height of 2503m is indicated for this pass, however the official height is 2501m, due to corrections to the height determination by the Swiss authorities. In earlier times the Umbrailpass formed the connection between the Val Venosta (Vinschau) and the Valtellina. The current road was built in 1901. Only the last few years, the entire pass has been paved, previously several kilometers still consisted of gravel roads.
Due to heavy snowfall at the pass height, the road over the Umbrail Pass is closed to traffic from October to May every year.

On top of the Umbrail Pass, the border with Italy is crossed again and you arrive at the Stelvio Pass. The route keeps left and goes to the highest point of this 2758 meter high pass. Construction of this pass began in 1822. Barely three years later, the road was completed. Over the years, the pass has been adjusted in various places, in some places you can still see the old road.
Until 1915, the Stelvio Pass was ridden all year round by coaches. During the winter the road was kept passable by snow shovels. In 2020, however, the pass is closed to traffic from late October to early May.
On top, at an altitude of more than 2750 meters, you have - especially in good weather - a heck of a view. Take a moment to walk around here and check out the Tibet Hütt, an eatery built in the style of its name. Also from this point a great view over the shops on top of the pass and, even better, the descent towards Prato.

The descent of the Stelvio Pass is one that you will not soon forget. From the top to Bormio it is 20 km downhill! RP15 is a point where you have a beautiful view over the valley in the direction of Bormio. From this point you can follow the course of the Stelvio Pass for a few kilometers, really worth a stop.

After the Stelvio Pass the route winds further and after several hairpin bends and for example the Forcola di Livigno (2315m) the route in Brusio runs along the Viadotto elicoidale, or the spiral viaduct. Built in 1908, this viaduct is part of the Bernina railway section between Brusio and Campascio. During the construction of this railway, the engineers decided that the route should adapt to the natural landscape, avoiding unnecessary complexity. The spiral viaduct was - just like in many places in mountainous areas - the solution to meet all wishes, including bridging larger height differences at short distances. In the mountains, these types of buildings are usually poor or impossible to visit, but here the viaduct is beautifully visible.

After exiting the spiral viaduct, you will cross the Swiss-Italian border one more time to finally reach today's final destination in Chiuro after 300km of climbing and descending.

Have fun on this route!