April 2005, at the Munich airport,
I bought the issue 3/2005 of the Reise Motorrad -magazine.
"Free gift" with the magazine was a map of Alps, with some of the most important motorcycle routes well marked.
Routes were divided into two groups, the Mainroute (Hauptroute) and Compound routes (Verbindungsroute). The Mainroute travels around the Alps, while the Compound routes go over the Alps.
The routes turn out to be selected with a good taste. The Mainroute circles around the Alps, offering a diverse of nature and views, as well as good transit routes.
The length of the Mainroute is a little over 3 100 km. It passes through areas of
Italy,
Austia,
Liechtenstein,
France,
Germany,
Slovenia and
Switcherland.
The lowest point of the route is near Verbania (Italy), 190 m above sea level.
The highest point is at the Col de l'Isere (France), 2 760 m.
Roads are surfaced, wide, and typically in good condition. One may find many serpentines, and occasionally accessions/descessions are considerable. In principle one could drive the complete Mainroute even with a caravan, but most of the route is suited particularly for motorcycles. Gasoline stations, places to eat, restaurants, and inns are regularly available by the road.
Occasionally there may be lots of traffic on the Mainroute, though the route intends to avoid the actual main roads. In addition to motorcycles, there are considerable amount of other holiday travellers, and of course bicyclists. And naturally the locals use these roads. Also heavy traffic (big trucks) can be seen on many roads along the route.
The Mainroute passes several different kinds of areas, and therefore a variety of views and nature are passed.
- Several long and flat valleys between mountains. Some valleys are wide and some are narrow.
- Grand Alpine Route - French Alps, south of Mt.Blanc - travels high on the mountains, and there are not much settlements or higher plants around.
- On the northwest parts of Italy, between Bellinzona and Locarno, and also at most parts between Domodóssola and Borgosèsia, the route passes heavily settled plains, right by the high Alpine mountains.
- At the German side, on the northern parts of Alps, the nature is greener. At the same time, temperatures are lower, but the number of rainy days is not...
- At Dolomites the mountains and the nature are of its own class.
Recommended!
