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 in Innsbrück at the loading dock of the OEBB. Daily car trains leave from Düsseldorf and have this place in the south of Austria as their terminus. You can also reserve a place for the motorcycle on this night train. Leave in the evening and arrive the next morning rested. For more information about this see the link below.

In Innsbruck the route almost immediately passes a petrol station. Gasoline prices in Austria are considerably 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, you are already out of the built-up area after 3 kilometers. To the left and right you can already see the hilltops looming, that is still very promising! And indeed, after 4 kilometers the first hairpin bend in front of the wheels, great! The first 40 kilometers you wind parallel to the A13, also known as the Brenner Autobahn, towards the border crossing Austria - Italy. Perhaps nice to stop at the border crossing, there is quite something to see, such as an Outlet Center.

After leaving the Brenner, you drive at Sterzing - Vipiteno onto the SS44, which runs towards the Passo Giovo / Jaufenpass. On top of this 2094m high pass it is time for today's first coffee stop. While you enjoy your coffee you have a fantastic view of the beautiful surroundings.

In the descent of the Jaufenpass you come almost at the bottom past a viewpoint which gives you a beautiful view over St. Leonhard in Passeier. This town is centrally located between the Jaufenpass, the Timmelsjoch and, on the southern side, the route towards the Gavia and Stelvio. All known passes that attract a lot of tourists.

The Passeier Museum is located just south of St. Leonhard in Passeier. This museum gives you a picture of how people used to live in this valley through an outdoor exhibition. The open-air exhibition is an ideal place to spend some time. Here you will find a farm that is typical of the old Passeier valley. In addition to the farm and barn, there are numerous other structures: a mill, blacksmith shop, baking oven, grain store, a lead production place and a beehive. They were all threatened with demolition and have now been faithfully recreated on the open-air site. See link below for more information.

Continue along the SS44, through the Passeier valley, you arrive at Merano. From this place you have the option to follow the SS38 towards the Stelvio, you then follow the climb that starts at Prato. However, this route follows the SS238 towards Lana. From here you follow the SP9 towards Sankt Pankraz. Just outside Lana you will pass a viewpoint Greiter Ried which offers you a nice view over Lana. Definitely worth a break for a nice photo.

After more than 10 kilometers you turn left onto the SP88 towards the Hofmahdjoch - Passo Castrin with an altitude of 1781m. A few kilometers after this pass you come to Lago di Santa Giustina. The lake is located in the center of Val di Non, near Cles. The lake was originally artificial and was formed thanks to the creation of the imposing dyke built between 1943 and 1951. This artificial lake is very impressive and fits perfectly into the landscape of the valley. It is the largest in the province and aims to collect water from the rain basin of the Noce stream to generate electricity. The lake has a total volume of 182 million cubic meters of water and extends for a length of 8 kilometers with a maximum width of one kilometer.
Just before the bridge over this lake is a small parking lot where the motorbike can be parked. On foot up the bridge for a great view over this lake, which of course must be taken a picture.

The route continues on the SS42 which will take you via the Passo Tonale (1842m) towards the ascent of the penultimate pass of this route, the Gaviapass with an altitude of 2621 meters. After the Passo Tonale, this climb starts at Ponte di Legno. The Gavia is a beautiful pass, but if you have a fear of heights it can get exciting in some parts. Sometimes very narrow and if a guardrail is missing it is best to squeeze your buttocks. But the views you get are phenomenal. Take the time to experience this pass, behind every turn a new spectacular view awaits. Lots of photo opportunities!

After the Gavia you arrive in Bormio. The connoisseur knows that the southern side of the Stelvio starts / ends in Bormio. The Stelvio is, as the name of the route says, the end point of this route. The last gas station of this route is located in Bormio. It may be wise to fill up here when the stock of petrol is no longer too large. The next gas station is at least 40 kilometers away.
The climb of the Stelvio is one to remember. From the first meter it is straightforward to climb. After more than 25 hairpin bends and great views you are finally at the top. The same applies here: take your time and enjoy every meter!

At the top, at least when the weather is good, it is very busy. Restaurants, souvenir shops, terraces, the famous sellers of sausage sandwiches with Sauerkraut, great, what a party.
The hotel where the route ends is located in the middle of this party, hotel Genziana. To be honest, it is not the cheapest hotel to stay in, but an experience not to be missed. In the evening the ascent to the viewpoint 'Dreisprachenspitze' at almost 2850 meters, the beautiful sunrise the next morning, moments that really make it worthwhile to experience this once.

Have fun driving this route!