Closest mountain pass ?

[ymfb]

Where is the closest mountain pass to the South of England ?

I have ridden a fair amount in Northern France and Belgium and driven to the Alps around Bourg St Maurice for skiing.

But I've never ridden up and down mountains on my motorcycle. I may have a few days available late May early June and would like to see if a mountain pass is reasonably achievable in the time I might have.

TIA

 

[Greg Masters]

Bwlch y Groes

 

[Wreford Miles]

I like that idea... Have a quick google on passes currently closed, the assumption being they must be high I reckon its 550 miles from the Tunnel to Sustenpass - so 1 day to blat down

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susten_Pass

I wonder what would make a good day two long days loop of the passes?

Then 1 day to get home

 

[mcinlb]

Whichever you choose, in late May / early June some may not be open.

Check out this site before you go http://www.alpen-journal.de/alpenservice/alpenpaesse.html

Covers all the European passes and I've found it to be very accurate on a day to day basis.

 

[Nutty]

Cheddar Gorge

 

[Wreford Miles]

http://www.motorbikeeurope.com/en/routes-map/furka-pass-swtizerland

 

[ymfb]

Cheddar Gorge

Closed, last time I went, but have done it quite a few times

 

[ymfb]

http://www.motorbikeeurope.com/en/routes-map/furka-pass-swtizerland

Thats really helpful, I guessed it must be close to there, but wasn't sure if there might be something closer.

 

[wessie]

http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/the-vosges-mountains/ - plenty of Cols in this area and should be open in late May

 

[walrus]

Zig Zag hill in Dorset - you'll be home in time for lunch and a nap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijt5eP-IQ0Y

 

[sven]

I organised a VFR Club tour to the Alps in 2004 at the end of May/beginning of June and the passes over 2000m were only just opening. The Fluella pass opened about 3 days before we arrived but the Stelvio was still closed. Obviously this varies depending upon how bad the winter has been.

The safest bet is probably the Grossglockner toll road as they make an effort to clear it and get it open in April/May as it's how they make their money having said that, we went over in July and they were threatening to close it as it was starting to snow over the summit

 

[ymfb]

Zig Zag hill in Dorset - you'll be home in time for lunch and a nap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijt5eP-IQ0Y

Thats nearly eight miles from here so I have been up and down it a few hundred times.

But thanks

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Bwlch y Groes

Spot on

 

[gerarddwatts]

Bwlch y Groes

MOUNTAIN Pass??

 

[The Grey One]

I organised a VFR Club tour to the Alps in 2004 at the end of May/beginning of June and the passes over 2000m were only just opening. The Fluella pass opened about 3 days before we arrived but the Stelvio was still closed. Obviously this varies depending upon how bad the winter has been.

The safest bet is probably the Grossglockner toll road as they make an effort to clear it and get it open in April/May as it's how they make their money having said that, we went over in July and they were threatening to close it as it was starting to snow over the summit

The Grossglockner company always aim for the 1st of May for opening. As you say they make money only when the road is open. The road can be closed at any time during the season due to bad weather. Normally this is only a day or so but can be a real problem for those planning to ride the route on a specific day. In 7 seasons here I can't think of a time when the road was closed for more than a couple of days so those staying in the area for a few days have always been able to enjoy the ride. A bit of flexibility is the way forward, often even if the weather is bad on the 'glockner there will be better conditions close by.

In our part of the Alps all of the high roads are normally open by the beginning of May and remain so late into October. It's the advantage of being on the southern side of the Alps.

John

 

[nickcgundogs]

Ive done Baden Baden B500 up and down and then back to Salisbury in a day but on my RT might be a bit uncomfortable on the Duke <G>

 

[ymfb]

Ive done Baden Baden B500 up and down and then back to Salisbury in a day but on my RT might be a bit uncomfortable on the Duke <G>

Hi Nick, it would probably be on the GS.

 

[Rasher]

The Grossglockner is a long way to go - worth it as you can ride a dozen other passes on the way their and back, but I would recommend 3-4 days each way, plus at least 3 days in the region making sure you took in the Nockalmstrasse.

With the exception of the Vosges I would avoid late May / Early June as the chances of the roads you want to ride being closed is quite high.

For a short trip Andermatt is ideal as it is an easy 2 day ride from the UK and has half a dozen decent passes on the doorstep, we went there again this year and had 3 days so could ride all the passes in both directions, still makes for a 7 day trip though, and I would not bother going that far with any less time - and would wait until at least the second week of June.

 

[donnie]

I'd say it depends on what you want. Col de la Faucille near Geneva is one of the closest Alpine passes but personally, for a first taster and with limited time, I would head for the top end of the Route des Grandes Alpes. It's legendary and very, very good. Col de Aravis, Col de Saises, Cormet de Restefond....etc... There are many great passes in this area, just south-east of Geneva. You can get over there in a long day or two more relaxed ones.

Grossglockner is immense and brilliant but a looooong way if limitied on time. I did it last year and it's two days on motorways to get there. IHO, save it for when you have more time and enjoy it more.

pm me if you want more suggestions.

donnie

 

[donnie]

The Grossglockner is a long way to go - worth it as you can ride a dozen other passes on the way their and back, but I would recommend 3-4 days each way, plus at least 3 days in the region making sure you took in the Nockalmstrasse.

With the exception of the Vosges I would avoid late May / Early June as the chances of the roads you want to ride being closed is quite high.

For a short trip Andermatt is ideal as it is an easy 2 day ride from the UK and has half a dozen decent passes on the doorstep, we went there again this year and had 3 days so could ride all the passes in both directions, still makes for a 7 day trip though, and I would not bother going that far with any less time - and would wait until at least the second week of June.

2nd that.