Hello EFers!
I have planned a day trip by car to Furka pass this Saturday (06.08) with some friends.

Please help me with the route and tips on places to stop for breathtaking view of the Alps.

cheers!
KP

The Furka pass train would be much much better.

http://www.furka-bergstrecke.ch/eng/index.htm

my brother is one of the founder members ad yet we haven't done it yet.

Is the route too difficult to drive?
My motivation for the trip is the drive.

Piece of cake, I did it with my chopper (the worst type of vehicle you could possibly choose for this route) and it was a breeze. Literally as well, as it was May and freaking freezing.



There are 2 main ways to get there from where I live, probably only one that makes sense from Zürich (passing Luzern and Altdorf). While you're there you probably will enjoy visiting other passes like Andermatt or Gletsch. The route going east, towards Chur, is absolutely fantastic until some 20km before the highway. Nothing worth your detour if you have driven on the mountains before, but very nice.

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HEAVEN IS A BATHTUB WITH BOOKS THAT DON'T GET WET

Why not drive the Km 112 to Realp in canton Uri, and then take the train to the pass? The train leaves Realp at 10:10 so you need to leave Seebach before 08:30 and if possible even earlier due to heavy holiday traffic.

You must make a seat reservation! www.perrofini.ch/reservation_web/ Return fare is Fr 59,-- per adult, but it will be well worth the cost. Take a picnic? They also recognise SBB half fare cards and SBB childrens' passes.

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Iti...routeConso=5.6

I feel funny giving advice here, but anyways, here goes.
As I am planning our trip in september, I have researched the furka extensively.
On most riding and driving forums, they recommend a loop.
Grimsel, furka, susten, nufenen, and if you fancy some more, gothard too. Total driving time 2-3 hours depending upon stops and speed.

Maybe a little longer too, the scenery is magnificent and the road is narrow, FULL of motorcycles and very winding.

Not the greatest pass imho, for me the brilliant round trip is Sustenpass, Grimselpass, Naufenen, the old southern Gottard (it is paved) and then back down the northern Gottard traffic jam.

Furka is very windy, full of motorcycles, the buses drive like loons and is not that interesting except for the very start and the very end.

top of Naufenen:
http://www.youtube.com/user/karrobex#p/u/23/_lr8V79e9rU

some other vids of the roads there as well

Susten is the pick - both directions - if you ask me. Sufficient spots for slower/faster traffic to mingle without either causing the other frustration. Furka is a pain - and getting a clear run is challenging.

Klausen is superb if you get a clear run.

Grauberg is usually very quiet

Grimsel is arguably the busiest and has surprisingly few safe overtaking spots.

Nufanen - I haven't drive recently to comment

Splugen - worth a run up from the CH side if you have the time.

San Bernadino - Both sides have their virtues - and are enjoyable runs

Oberalp - short but good fun - and wide enough

Gottard - Goschenen to Adermatt is miserable - but up from there is pretty good. 2 options on the way down to Airolo (the better side).

Simplon - generally too busy and lacks the character of the higher passes.

Since you will start from Zürich, I would suggest Gotthard (Leave the Motorway at Wassen, so you avoid the Traffic Jam for the Tunnel, which can stretch quite far back), Nufenen, then up to Gletsch. At Gletsch make up your mind, if you want to go back over Furka, or over Grimsel and Susten.

- I had a Summerjob as a Waiter in Hotel Glacier du Rhone in Gletsch back in '94. I had such a good time, so Im back in Switzerland for good now :-)

Doc.

- and a tip for next year: As soon as Gotthard opens get up there. It is amazing to see when there is 5-8 meters of Snow next to the road :-)

Doc.

Due to ongoing roadwork, there is horrible traffic near Andermatt.

Coming from Zurich, I would do:

Gotthard, Nufenen, Furka, Oberalp, Lukmanier, Nufenen, Grimsel, Susten.

However, this is more like 6 hours.

Tom

I got told off by the wife last time we drove Lukmanier - in fact I'm not allowed to do the passes if she is in the car

That's a problem easily solved!

Why, the Lucomagno is pretty straight and fast (or was that the problem?)

No problem, put her on the back of the bike!

Tom

Geez, as the previous poster said, Lukmanier is hardly even a pass! You may as well do the Stelvio...48 hairpins...so if you are going to get told off make it worth it.

My recommendation if you're coming from Zürich is Susten Grimsel, Furka, or Susten, Grimsel, Nufenen, Gottard. For a first day trip I'd stick to the 3 passes, as you'll avoid some of the traffic avoiding the tunnel.

Volvo T5 - she didn't like the (front) wheelspin and they way the engine performed - turbo lag. Although the 530xd is far quicker.

The mother-in-law likes to be taken out in the roadster though