Grimselpass - MCGs favorite πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­

Oct 25, 2024,08:31 AM
 

As Markus recently posted his roadtrip over some of Switzerland’s fun roads (here:  www.watchprosite.com  for his post), I figured it’s high time to do his favorite pass some justice and do a short photo journey across it. 


Approaching from the North (both directions appear to be similar amounts of fun - but Markus has certainly more experience) the same journey allows you to cover several passes in a day - Susten (as pictured here), being one option (for another day) but Furka (here  https://www.watchprosite.com/automotive/more-glorious-in-name--the-furka-pass--/1076.1616466.16322926/0/ for the post) and several others also seamlessly connect to it. 



As with most passes choosing the right time of year and day and time in the week is key, if you do not want to be stuck in traffic. At least Switzerland on occasion offers some fun machinery, like this Swiss proto-Tesla Roadster 😁 Not a huge challenge to overtake, fortunately πŸ˜‰



While nice weather will increase traffic, it also offers glorious vistas all around. 



After a gently sloping foothill section to get you and your car warmed up, the climb proper starts. It’s an Alpine pass from the era where road builders saw vehicular enjoyment as a clear part of their brief and one can tell. The road is wide enough to not impede progress, it of course needs curves to manage the elevation changes but these do not necessitate a walking pace negotiation of the seit  CH backs as some other more famous passes do (looking at you, Stelvio). 



What you have instead is a well sighted road, with some flowing sections punctuated by the odd switchback, which is wide enough for a good speed and nice fun behind the wheel. Like on all mountain passes, some instant torque is helpful for overtaking but it’s a pass that does not require monster engines to get all out of. 



After reaching the accumulation lake, the road opens up even more, with much longer straights between the curves, and some nice views of the lake. OK - color wise it has nothing on the one Marcus recently posted but you will quickly forget about that once behind the wheel again 😁 The straights also allow you to pass any impeding traffic, should you find yourself stuck behind any. 



There’s a hotel on top (standard Alpine approach) but as I didn’t stop (more planned for the day), I cannot comment on cuisine or ambience πŸ˜‰πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ



Descending on the other side is similar fun, and one has to say that with four wheel grip it’s not hard chasing down the occasional motorcycle πŸ˜‰



Had I known how cool it was I would not have planned so many additional passes for the day but would turn right around for another (and possibly another) go at it. 



As it is, it’s definitely on the favorites list for many a return journey. Thanks for the tip Marcus, it’s been spectacular πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

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Absolutely πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

 
By: KMII : October 25th, 2024-09:42
This is an on and off weekend / holiday fun. As the family (apart from my daughter) has little inclination to participate, this limits the amount of time available for it further πŸ˜‰πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ I do have enough of them from the past months and years accumulated t... 

And as you know…

 
By: KMII : October 25th, 2024-12:04
Doing five or six a day is possible in some areas πŸ˜‰πŸ‘πŸ»

I am glad you liked Grimsel as much as I do… 😁

 
By: MCG (Markus) : October 25th, 2024-11:26
Personally I find the south side less interesting, as there are a lot less curves and more straights - and itβ€˜s much shorter (except you drive down from β€žGletschβ€œ to β€žUlrichenβ€œ and take the Nufenen as a next challenge. I have it as a β€žgoodβ€œ πŸ˜… πŸ’¨ pass in mi... 

OK - those got added to the list for one of the next trips πŸ˜πŸ‘πŸ»

 
By: KMII : October 25th, 2024-12:07
That makes writing these so good - you always add some additional pass for next time πŸ˜πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»

As Switzerland is a focus of weekend trips for the family for the next months this could be doable πŸ˜πŸ‘πŸ»

 
By: KMII : October 25th, 2024-16:11
3.30 long approach could be doable in a day trip, albeit not with wife and kids πŸ˜‰ Is it open all year round by any chance? 🀞🏻

BTW - a cool day trip would then be:

 
By: MCG (Markus) : October 25th, 2024-18:05
Home - Chur - Lenzerheide - Tiefenkastel - JULIER - Pontresina - Bernina (but wrong side πŸ˜‚) - Poschiavo - Lunch - back up to BERNINA - Pontresina - Zernez - FLÜELA - Davos - Lanquart - Home πŸ€©πŸ’¨πŸ”₯ Last remark - you could combine it with a short sight seeing ...  

The view is truly epic indeed πŸ‘ŒπŸ»πŸ‘ŒπŸ»πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

 
By: KMII : October 25th, 2024-18:46
First my wife gets a weekend off from us, then we could do something like that πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ€žπŸ»

OOPS! I hope you didn't miss

 
By: 198042 : October 26th, 2024-15:11
the Oberaar-Panoramastrasse above the GrimselpasshΓΆhe! Built 70 years ago and still going strong. If you did, turn back and go at it. Here is an appetizer. Best viewed at double speed. Cheers Richard

I sadly did miss it on that trip…

 
By: KMII : October 26th, 2024-16:58
But will definitely take this into consideration the next time I go to the area πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ» Thanks so much for the tip πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»πŸ™πŸ»