R02 - Stelvio to Maccagno
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Arno van Lochem - RouteXpert
Last edit: 01-12-2020
Route Summary
The Alps, a mountain range in Europe stretching from the French Mediterranean coast in the southwest to the Pannonian plain in the east, almost always guarantee beautiful routes. It can hardly be boring there. The many passes, views and variations in the landscape make the Alps a true motorcycle paradise.The start of this route is at Hotel Genziana on top of the Stelvio. Via a number of well-known passes such as the Umbrail, the Flüela and the San Bernardino, the route ends just across the Italian border at Albergo Paradiso in Maccagno, a town located directly on Lake Maggiore.
The route is for the more advanced motorcyclist given the occasional tight hairpin bends in the Alps. Good engine management is desired!
Share this route
Animation
Verdict
Duration
5h 4m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
264.70 km
Countries
San Bernardinopass
RouteXpert Review
Driving around in the Alps is quite an experience. You have not yet passed one corner or the next one is already present. Climbing from the valley, watching the landscape change from wooded slopes with splashing waterfalls to alpine meadows where no trees can be found and asphalt roads that cut through the eternal snow. Once on top of the mountain, enjoy phenomenal views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, as if you were on the roof of the world. That is pure enjoyment for me and that is why I rate this route with 5 stars.The route starts on top of the Stelvio. You descend on the south side in the direction of Bormio. After about three kilometers you turn right onto the Umbrail Pass and you enter Switzerland. An altitude of 2503m is indicated for the Umbrail Pass, where the official altitude is 2501m, however, due to corrections to the altitude determination by the Swiss authorities.
In the descent you pass a 'mountain stream'. Depending on the time of year, this stream can turn into a large water stream that, because of the many stones on the bottom, can run wild. Nice place to stop and enjoy the impressive surroundings you are in.
At the bottom of the descent, turn left onto the 28, which will take you towards the Swiss National Park. Tight asphalt curving in beautiful curves, that's about how you can describe the roads in the Swiss National Park.
The Swiss National Park is located in the canton of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland between Zernez, S-chanf, Scuol and the Fuorn Pass in the Engadin valley near the border with Italy. It is the only National Park in Switzerland. It covers an area of 174.2 km² and is the largest protected area in the country. A true pleasure to be able to steer through!
Driving towards Davos you will be presented with beautiful views, after every bend you just have to wait and see which great view is offered to you. In addition, it seems as if the road you are driving on is glued to the mountain wall. And the asphalt is still tight as a billiard cloth. Don't be surprised if you have to stop for a billiards tournament... :-)
You pass the top of the Flüela Pass at 2400 meters. You can see that you are at a higher altitude by the snow remnants that can still be seen. At this height, the thaw doesn't affect the white stuff that much, it takes a while before it all melts. The roads, on the other hand, are fortunately passable, they will take care of that.
Once you have arrived in Davos, you have the option of visiting the Davos Winter Sports Museum. This museum has a rich and interesting collection from different branches of winter sports. Various exhibits can also be admired from the historic Hockey Club Davos and the legendary Spengler Cup. The exhibition features interesting and valuable pieces from the beginning of winter sports to the present: sleds, bobsleds, skis, ski bindings, snowboards, cross-country skiing, ice skating, hockey, curling and more.
Note: The museum is not open all year round, only during the summer and winter seasons. Check the link below for more information.
After Davos the route winds southwest via the 417. The landscape remains amazingly beautiful to drive in, beautifully green and above all clean, very clean. It is also striking how clean it all is in the towns you pass through, it seems as if it is a national agreement to keep your sidewalk nice and clean.
Once you have arrived at Thusis, you continue the route on the 13. Not to be confused with the A13, which runs next to it. De13 is a beautiful road that runs between high rock walls in some parts, as if you were driving through a gorge. Left and right they run straight up, making you feel very insignificant in this imposing environment.
Shortly after Andeer you pass the Rofflaschlucht. In this nature park you come particularly close to the thunder of a waterfall. We owe this to the American traveler Christan Pitschen-Melchior, who, after his return in 1907 and inspired by the Niagara Falls, started to make a route through the gorge. Using chisels and explosives, he carved out the gallery in the hard rock. Seven years and 8,000 explosions later, the work was done. Over the years, the gallery has remained virtually unchanged. Today a narrow path leads from the historic inn along the rock gallery towards Rofflaschlucht. At the very back, the rock gallery passes behind the waterfall and thus under the Rhine. At the entrance to the Rofflaschlucht is the historic inn with restaurant and a small museum, which tells the exciting history of the rock gallery.
A few kilometers further you will pass the Sufnersee. The Sufnersee is a reservoir between Splügen and Sufers on the river Hinterrhein in Graubünden, Switzerland. The Sufers dam was built in 1962. The reservoir has a volume of 17.5 million m³ and a surface area of 0.90 km². Still worth a stop and a photo.
The San Bernardino pass with a pass height of 2066 meters is the next pass on the route roll. This pass in the Lepontic Alps in Switzerland connects the German-speaking Hinterrheintal with the Italian-speaking Valle Mesolcina and was already used by the Romans. The pass is named after Saint Bernardinus of Siena. The current route was built in the early nineteenth century (1818-1823). In 1968, the 6.6 kilometer long San Bernardino tunnel that runs under the pass was opened. The road over the pass height is closed to traffic in winter, this period usually lasts from the end of October to the beginning of May.
On top of this pass is a restaurant where things are still old-fashioned. pin? No, that won't work. Pay cash or by credit card. The latter is still done the old-fashioned way. Card on the device, rats rats with the slide to print the number on paper and a week later you will see it appear on your statement. So it still exists, great! And the sandwich paid for in this way really tastes no less!
When the Bernardino Pass is behind you, you arrive at Lake Maggiore. The lake is 212 km² in size, 60 km long, the widest point is 10 km and the maximum depth is 372 meters. The lake is located in Italian-speaking areas in both Italy and Switzerland. The lake, like the other large Italian Alpine lakes, was carved out by a glacier in one of the ice ages.
Professional fishermen also live off the lake. About 150 tons of fish are caught every year, including a species of trout that is found nowhere else in the world.
The lake has long been an important tourist attraction. In the 19th century, the European nobility settled en masse in luxury hotels or built their own villas, often with a botanical garden such as in Alpino, Baveno or Pallanza. For example, an exotic planting has developed along the banks of the entire lake, with mainly different types of palms.
At Magadino you can stop to take a picture of the beautiful lake.
The part after Magadino is unfortunately the most boring part of the route. From one town you drive into the other, all built-up areas. That means max. 50 km/h. And since it is still Switzerland you are driving in, it is not wise to do nothing about it. They are known here for not writing those nasty fines if necessary.
Fortunately, the built-up area comes to an end shortly after crossing the Italian border and what remains is a beautiful stretch of coastal road up to Maccagno, where today's hotel is located. A hotel with a truly fantastic landscaped garden. Whether that is due to the invigorating swimming pool with accompanying sun loungers I do not know, but the owner has it well organized.
Have fun driving this route!
Rofflaschlucht
Flüelapass
Usage
Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically.
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes