Fourteen days. Five countries. Legendary passes. One unforgettable journey through the heart of the Alps.
DAY 1: THROUGH FRANCE TO CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE
Another hot one. We certainly seem to be hitting good weather on tour recently.
Great first day riding through the French countryside, the heat building as we headed south and east. By the time we reached Châlons-en-Champagne, the temperature was well into the thirties.
The evening brought unexpected entertainment—a local music festival was in full swing near our hotel. Live music, excellent food, cold drinks, and the chance for everyone to get to know each other properly.
Tomorrow: Germany and the start of the B500. Another warm one forecast. 👍
DAY 2: ACROSS FRANCE TO THE BLACK FOREST
Another great day’s ride. Another warm one.
We dodged a few storms across France—watching the dark clouds in the distance but managing to stay dry. A quick Rhine ferry crossing, then into Germany and the start of the B500 near Baden-Baden. A few twisties to finish the day off perfectly.
Tomorrow: Austria via Bavaria. 👍
DAY 3: THE B500, BAVARIA & INTO AUSTRIA
Starting with the B500, which was lovely and quiet in the morning and—thankfully—cooler than the past two days. Welcome relief.
We travelled across the Bavarian countryside and into Austria, finding time for an ice cream sundae en route. Some of the group arrived in time for a dip in the pool at the hotel before dinner.
What a wonderful day. Now in Austria for two nights with a choice of ride-outs tomorrow.
DAY 4: HITLER’S EAGLE’S NEST – BAVARIAN ALPS
Choice of ride-outs today. The unanimous decision? Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest—back across the border into Germany.
It’s a great ride from our hotel to the Nest, with a few twisty roads thrown in. The final approach up the mountain is dramatic—tunnels carved through rock, hairpins stacked on hairpins, then the bus ride up the mountain to the Eagle’s Nest itself, perched impossibly on the summit.
A wonderful day with great weather, excellent roads, and—of course—ice cream. Seems to be a theme here. 😁😋
Tomorrow: Italy and the heart of the Dolomites.
DAY 5: GROSSGLOCKNER PASS & INTO THE DOLOMITES
We headed up the Grossglockner today as part of our route to Italy. A stop at Edelweißspitze—the highest point on the pass—for a few photos and to take in the views.
As we travelled on, the heavens opened. Wet gear on, we headed down the pass and onwards towards Italy.
Fortunately, the weather brightened up in time for us to sample some of the fabulous roads on offer in the Dolomites before reaching our hotel for the next two nights.
The Dolomites never disappoint—even in the rain.
DAY 6: DOLOMITES RIDE-OUT DAY
Choice of a ride-out or a rest day. Everyone chose to ride.
We started the day with perfect riding temperatures for our ride around the amazing Dolomites. The scenery is just magnificent. The roads are fantastic.
We managed to dodge the rain—which had been forecast—right up until our lunch stop. We waited for the worst to pass with the help of ice cream (naturally). Heading off after lunch, we rode up the next pass and above the rain to clearer weather.
A fantastic day’s riding.
Shorter day tomorrow—down to Lake Garda for another two-night stopover.
DAY 7: DOLOMITES TO LAKE GARDA
We headed away from the amazing Dolomites in perfect weather and onto our next two-night stay at Lake Garda.
As we dropped down closer to the lake, the scenery and architecture changed—a more Tuscan feel through the vineyards and past cypress trees. After our last coffee stop at a spectacular viewpoint above the lake, we arrived at our hotel in time for a dip in the lake.
Followed by an amazing buffet laid on by our hotel.
Well-earned day off tomorrow to explore the lake by ferry. ⛴
DAY 8: LAKE GARDA – REST DAY
A day off the bikes. A chance to relax and explore Lake Garda by ferry.
Amazing weather. Amazing ice cream. Stunning scenery.
Lake Garda is truly stunning. What a wonderful day.
Back on the bikes tomorrow, heading towards Bormio—a ski town at the bottom of the Stelvio Pass.
DAY 9: LAKE GARDA TO BORMIO – ALPINE PASSES & LAKES
Beautiful weather as we headed up the side of Lake Garda and on towards Lake Idro. A coffee stop by the lake—a very popular spot for local bikers on a Sunday.
Onwards and upwards to lunch on Passo Crocedomini, then heading down the valley to our overnight stop in Bormio.
Tomorrow: the famous Passo Stelvio, then on to Switzerland for our final two nights in the Alps.
DAY 10: STELVIO PASS & INTO SWITZERLAND
What a day!
Early start to beat the traffic on the Stelvio—a good call. It wasn’t too busy as we arrived at the top. T-shirts and stickers purchased, then off down the other side for a photo stop looking back up the pass at those famous hairpins.
Then on into Switzerland through scenery straight out of The Sound of Music—rolling green meadows, wooden chalets, Alpine peaks in every direction.
An amazing day, with a run up the Furka Pass before heading to our hotel.
Andermatt loop tomorrow: Grimsel, Nufenen, Tremola, St. Gotthard, and Susten passes. Should be a good one. 😃
DAY 11: THE SWISS PASS LOOP – COBBLES, CURVES & STORMS
Today we tackled possibly some of the most iconic passes in Europe.
Heading up the Nufenen to start with. Quick photo stop at the top. Then onto the highlight for some of the group—the cobbled Tremola Pass. It’s unique. It’s challenging. And it’s certainly not something you come across every day.
Cobbles completed, we stopped for coffee at the top where it meets the St. Gotthard, then travelled down to pick up the Susten Pass at Wassen. Lunch on the Susten after many photo stops en route.
Grimsel next—where unfortunately the weather really closed in at the top. Thunder. Lightning. Heavy rain. As can happen in a blink of an eye in the mountains.
We decided to head back to the hotel to dry out and relax on the hotel balcony, watching the storm roll up the valley.
A great day, even if a little soggy at the end. ⛈
DAY 12: FAREWELL ALPS – GRIMSEL, REICHENBACH FALLS & THE VOSGES
We headed away from the Alps today 😔—but not before a last run up the Grimsel Pass and the obligatory photo with the rusty rider sculpture.
Next stop: the Reichenbach Falls, where Sherlock Holmes had his final duel with Moriarty. Standing at the falls, looking up at the thundering water, it’s easy to see why Conan Doyle chose this spot for such a dramatic scene.
The rest of the day was spent winding our way across the lowlands of Switzerland before crossing into France to our hotel on the edge of the Vosges Mountains.
A lovely day with great weather and roads.
DAY 13: VOSGES, VERDUN & INTO BELGIUM
Our day started with a great ride across the Vosges on superb tarmac—just laid for the Tour de France, which will be coming through this area at the weekend. Smooth as glass.
Heading northwest to lunch, then on to our final stop of the day: the Douaumont Ossuary near Verdun. We had time to visit inside the memorial and watch the video presentation. Very moving.
Continuing our journey across the border into Belgium for our last overnight stop on tour.
A lovely last meal together. Phil tried the pigs’ trotters, which apparently were excellent.
Tomorrow: Calais and the end of our tour.
DAY 14: ARDENNES TO CALAIS – THE FINAL RUN
Our final day on tour. 🙁
As we left our hotel in the heart of the Ardennes, we followed the meandering Semois River’s path on lovely roads, crossing back and forth between Belgium and France. Coffee stop by the Meuse River, then onto Chimay and its race circuit.
We arrived at Chimay amidst preparations for a race meeting taking place this weekend. A quick photo stop in the pit lane, then the final push to the tunnel.
Goodbyes said on the train. Promises to keep in touch.
Fourteen days.
Five countries.
Legendary passes.
One unforgettable journey through the heart of the Alps.
The Stelvio challenged us. The Tremola’s cobbles tested us. The Swiss passes reminded us why we ride.
But mostly, it was the people—a fantastic group who were an absolute pleasure to guide. Riders who became friends, strangers who became travelling companions, moments shared over ice cream, coffee, and countless kilometres of perfect Alpine tarmac.
Brilliant roads. Amazing weather. Wonderful company.
What a fantastic tour.