Driving around the Alps is quite an experience. You have not yet passed one corner or the next one is already there. While climbing from the valley, see the landscape change from wooded slopes with splashing waterfalls to alpine meadows where there is no longer a tree and asphalt roads that cut the eternal snow. Arrived on top of the mountain, enjoy phenomenal views of the surrounding snow-capped 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 on top of the Stelvio. You descend on the south side in the direction of Bormio. After three kilometers you turn right onto the Umbrail pass and you enter Switzerland. For the Umbrail Pass, an altitude of 2503m is indicated, but the official altitude is 2501m, due to corrections to the altitude determination by the Swiss authorities.
In the descent you pass a 'mountain stream'. Depending on the time of the year, this stream can turn into a large water stream that, because of the many stones on the bottom, goes wild. Nice place to stop and enjoy the impressive environment in which you find yourself.

At the bottom of the descent, turn left onto 28, which will take you towards the Swiss National Park. Tight asphalt curled in beautiful curves, that's roughly 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 real pleasure to send through!

Driving in the direction of Davos you are presented with beautiful views, after every bend you just have to wait and see which great view you are offered. In addition, it seems as if the road you are driving on is stuck against the mountain wall. And the asphalt is still as 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 2,400 meters. That you are at a higher altitude can be seen from the snow remains that can still be seen. At this height, the thaw does not affect the white stuff that much, it takes a while for it to all melt. Fortunately, the roads are passable, they take care of that.

When you arrive in Davos, there is the possibility to visit 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 exhibit features interesting and valuable pieces from the beginning of winter sports to the present day: sledding, bobsleigh, 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 season. Check the link below for more information.

After Davos, the route winds southwest on the 417. The landscape remains very beautiful to drive, beautiful green and above all clean, very clean. Also in the places you pass it is striking how clean it all is, it seems as if it is a national agreement to keep your sidewalk nice and clean.

When you arrive 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 in some parts runs between high cliffs, as if you are driving through a gorge. Left and right they run straight up, making you feel very insignificant in this impressive environment.

Shortly after Andeer you will 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, began to create a route through the gorge. With the help of chisels and explosives, he carved the gallery into the hard rocks. Seven years and 8,000 explosions later, the work was finished. 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 end, the rock gallery passes behind the waterfall and thus under the Rhine. At the entrance of 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 Hinterrhein river in Graubünden, Switzerland. The Sufers dam was built in 1962. The reservoir has a volume of 17.5 million m³ and an area of 0.90 km². Still worth a stop and a photo.

The Bernina Pass is next on the route roll. This pass, with an altitude of 2,328 meters, is a high mountain pass in the Bernina group of the Alps in eastern Switzerland. It connects the famous seaside resort of St. Moritz with the Italian-speaking Val Poschiavo. The pass is located a few kilometers east of Piz Bernina and south of Val Minor.
On top of this pass is a restaurant located where it is still old-fashioned. Pins? No, that will not work. Payment in cash or by credit card. The latter is still the old-fashioned way. Card on the device, rats rats with the slider 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 doesn't taste any less!

When the Bernina Pass is behind you you will arrive at Lake Maggiore. The lake is 212 km², 60 km long, the widest point is 10 km and the maximum depth is 372 meters. In both Italy and Switzerland it is more in the Italian-speaking area. 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 per year, including a trout species 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. Thus, an exotic plantation has developed along the shores of the entire lake, with mainly different types of palms.
At Magadino you can stop for a moment to take a picture of the beautiful lake.

The part after Magadino is unfortunately the most boring part of the route. You drive from one town into another, all built-up areas. That means max. 50 km / h. And since it is still Switzerland that you drive in, it is not wise not to do anything about it. They are known here for not writing those silly 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 coast 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!

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Waypoint, used to construct the route

Sight, here you can see something

Viewpoint, a short stop for taking a picture

Stopping point, for hotel, lunch, etc

Attention, see the text in the waypoint for more information