I'm planning my first solo tour to Switzerland, want to ride the Susten and Furka passes. I was thinking of booking one hotel stop in advance as a base in Switzerland for 2 days but not sure of the best place to stay. Any suggestions - towns and or hotels with secure parking?
Try the Hotel Hof und Post, Innertkirchen. I’ve not stayed there but supposed to be a good base, biker friendly and it’s on the doorstep of the Grimsel and Susten passes.
I went through Switzerland in Sept 2016 and rode over the Susten, Grimsel and Furka passes and stayed at http://www.hotel-5doerfer.ch/hotel.htm (Hotel Sport Center Funfdorf) for one night. Food was expensive but room was fine, fireblade was under cover (canopy, not locked garage, but off the beaten track and Switzerland is not high crime) and I got a good deal on booking.com. I'd suggest only one night in Switzerland if you're just aiming for Susten and Furka. They are very scenic, but not so challenging and they were quite busy. Best to carry on towards Italy and Austria if time / budget / weather allows. When I go again I'll eat at a MacDonalds and buy a few cans of beer at a Spar as Swiss boozing and dining prices are stupid!
I stayed on campsites, with a little tent. Headed for Italy via the Julierpass and the Malojapass. The Maloja is very steep and scenic as it drops down into Italy - like a south facing wall. Agree with edderby - I found it to be a very expensive place. When you get back it would be interesting to hear how you got on.
I have considered camping but think I'd prefer a hotel - less to carry and quite like the thought of a nice soft bed.
I took the ride magazine tour of the alps route from their route centre. Weather went badly wrong after Switzerland on that trip so I diverted to Harz mountains in Germany to find sunny twisty roads as Alps had turned into a monsoon!
Also I wouldn't say my accommodation was the best, I just chose it because parking looked safe enough and it was a cheap late booking.
I wrote about the trip to Switzerland here:https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/alps-wasnt-easy-maybe-this-trip-will-be-better.31278/ and also about an earlier Alps trip here: https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/got-to-the-alps-not-easy.30530/ a few pictures on each to whet your appetite for your trip!
I stayed in Innertkirchen last June on part of my 3500 mile trip in 12 days. I cant remember the name of the hotel off the top of my head but there were several in the village which was safe and within a stones throw of some great roads. Food was ok but not cheap as is to be expected in Switzerland. I plan to go back next year and use it as a base for 3 or 4 days. The roads are great but a local told me to avoid them at weekend, too may nutters and police out. My mate got pulled somewhere in Switzerland 2 weeks after I was there for doing 30kmh over the 90 limit and he got a £1500 fine!!!
Thanks Wilbert - what's the parking like at that hotel? Have they got secure bike parking? Be interested to know which route you took to get there and any tips on the route.
There is a large carpark round the back. Not secure but it's s fairly remote place so I don't expect there is much crime. I just chained the two bikes together and used a disk lock on each bike too . No problems at any of the overnight stops. I can't remember the exact route I took but I started in Losheim am see Germany and headed to Baden Baden to do the B500 then into Switzerland, skirted Basel and headed to Innertkirchen and the Grimsellstrasse which was about 350 mikes. The next day was Grimsell Pass, Furka pass, Gotthard pass and Splugen pass in to Italy then on to Lake Como for 3 nights . Hard day's riding but worth it. I went with my ex as we split up 3 weeks before the trip which we had planned for over 12 months .She was riding slower than normal and thst added a couple of hrs to each day. I wasn't wanting to ride balls out or anything, just make swift progress.
Number of road hotels are available but still it varies from city to city, mean which sort of hotel would you prefer or which area.