2026, September
Hairpin bends, tunnels, steep climbs and descents, breathtaking scenery. An alpine tour of some of the best passes and mountain routes in Europe.
This tour through the Alps takes us along some of the most fantastic roads you can experience within driving distance of the UK. Magnificent snow capped mountains, lush green valleys, crystal clear mountain streams and hidden alpine villages. Crossing eighteen passes, negotiating countless hairpins and plenty of tunnels, this trip takes you on a scenic journey through the heart of the alps. Add in fabulous hotels and great dining and you have a trip that is truly memorable.
Day 1 Saturday
Total distance 380 miles. Driving time approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
Meeting at the Eurotunnel flexi lounge provides plenty of time to make introductions as we enjoy the coffee and croissants, hand out the roadbooks and the radios for our trip. Once we are all ready it’s time to board the next shuttle and head over to France. On exiting the Eurotunnel our tour begins by taking us along smooth autoroutes toward Reims. Here we pay a visit to the old Grand Prix circuit, take a short break to wander around the old pits complex. Take a few pictures of our cars and a drive around the circuit. Then it’s back onto the autoroute and off to our chateau near Dijon where we can relax, enjoy a stroll through the grounds and sit down to a wonderful dinner.
Day 2 Sunday
Total distance 180 miles. Driving time approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
We drive south on the autoroute for a further 70 miles and then leave to continue on the Route National. Through Lons Le Saunier and on to our restaurant for lunch and panoramic views over Lac de Vouglans. After lunch we leave the Route National and take to the minor roads to meander east and south through the Haute Dura Parc Naturel following part of the route used by the Tour de France Returning to the Route National for the last 60 miles to our hotel on the shore of Lake Annecy.
Day 3 Monday
Total distance 130 miles. Driving time approximately 4 hours
A more leisurely day. Leaving the hotel we follow the shoreline of the lake south toward Ugine where we turn left and start our ascent into the mountain passes on some fantastic roads. Our morning route takes us south and then east past Lac de Roseland and on to Bourge St. Maurice where we stop for lunch. The next part of the drive takes us along some great roads as we head north east across the Col Du Petit St. Bernard where some of the scenes from the 1969 film “The Italian Job” were shot. We cross the border into Italy (hopefully we will not be stopped by machine gun-toting Mafia!). We continue east and then south into the Grand Paradiso to our hotel for the evening.
Day 4 Tuesday
Total Distance 160 miles. Driving time approximately 4hr 45m
Today we head north via Pre Saint Didier and Aosta and across the border into Switzerland. Driving along the road that crosses the Col du Grand St. Bernard at 2469m. We stop for lunch before turning right and heading east from Martigny along the Rhone valley. Here we join the motorway for a short while before taking a detour south into the mountains around Unterbach and Burchen for an afternoon coffee. After coffee we drive back down to the valley and head east to our hotel near the foot of the Grimsel and Susten passes.
Day 5 Wednesday
Total distance 165 miles. Driving time approximately 4 hours 15 minutes
Leaving our hotel we climb into the Alps. Tracking south-west and then south-east to begin our ascent of the Nufenen pass at 2478m. A right turn then takes us south-east back into Italy prior to our next excursion into the mountains. This time our road trip takes us north across the fabulous San Bernadino pass at 2065m and back into Switzerland. We continue north and then change direction to east through Tiefencastle then south across the Albulapass at 2312m. before turning right towards St. Moritz and our hotel for the next 2 nights
Day 6 Thursday
Total Distance 127 miles. Driving time approximately 4 hours 30 minutes
Today is the day we drive the Stelvio, a road many have described as one of the best driving roads in Europe. Leaving our hotel we head south west to begin our ascent into the mountains with our first pass of the day, the Passo del Bernina at 2328m. A left turn takes us south along the Valle di Livigno out of Switzerland into Italy and the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio. Turning right we take the Passo D’Eira at 2209m and the Passo Di Focagno at 2291m. on through Bormio and onto the Stelvio at 2759m. We stop at the top of the Stelvio, and for those with the energy, there will be enough time to take a walk up the path to the small bar and restaurant where the photo opportunities are amazing. Descending the Stelvio, we turn left and north. Passing through the pretty little walled town of Glorenza we head back into Switzerland, cross the Ofenpass at 2149m. take a left at Zernez and head back to our hotel.
Day 7 Friday
Total Distance 168 miles. Driving time approximately 5 hours 15 minutes
On leaving the hotel we head sout-east and then turn right taking us north-west across the Julierpass at 2284m and then over the Albulapass at 2312m. head towards Zernez, our lunch stop for the day. After lunch we head to Davos vias the Fluelapass at 2383m. and then north along the valley, if time permits we can stop and take a cable car ride up the mountain at Lenzerheide and enjoy the stunning views and constant changing light from the top before heading to our hotel for the evening near Disentis.
Day 8 Saturday
Total distance 259 miles. Driving time approximately 6 hours 15 minutes
Our final four alpine passes, and what a set of passes they are. Making this an absolutely stunning exit from the alps! Leaving our hotel our trip takes us west to climb the Oberalpass at 2044m. continue across the Furkapass at 2431m. before turning right and heading north over the Grimselpass at 2164m. Dropping down into Innerkirchen we turn east and cross the Sustenpass at 2224m. to Wassen. Here we turn left and soon join the motorway and head north-west out of Switzerland toward Mulhouse and then onto our hotel for the final night of our Alpine experience.
Day 9 Sunday
Total Distance 360 miles. Driving time approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
Our final day. Back to Calais for the Eurotunnel and taking with us with some wonderful memories of fantastic roads, breath taking scenery, great food and wonderful wine, all shared with new friends.
Price
£TBA per person based upon 2 people sharing a double room.
Please ask for details if single occupancy is required
What is Included
Fully Flexible return tunnel from Folkstone to Calais for 1 standard car.
Bed breakfast and 3 course evening meal in each of the carefully selected 3 and 4* hotels
What is not included
Drinks, incidentals, bar cost, spa treatments, lunch, road tolls, fuel and any other miscellaneous costs.
Deposit
A non refundable deposit of £TBA per person is required
Optional Extras
Lake View Hotel Rooms are available at Annecy at an additional cost of £TBA.
Enjoy a relaxing Friday evening prior to travel in a hotel just a few minutes drive from the tunnel. Contact us for pricing.
To Book
Places are strictly limited to a maximum of 10 cars
Call us on 01235 797200 or