San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road Itinerary
Experience the stunning San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road, a 75 km journey through the Swiss Alps, between Splügen and Bellinzona. Start your adventure in Splügen and make your way to the San Bernardino Pass, a mountain pass at 2,066m above sea level. Enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys along the way. Continue through Roveredo, a charming village in the canton of Graubünden. This route offers a variety of landscapes, from the steep alpine passes to the rolling hills of the Ticino region. Don't forget to look out for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way, including the Castelgrande and Montebello Castles in Bellinzona. The road is in excellent condition and suitable for all drivers. It is best to plan your trip between June and October as this is when the weather is most favorable.
The San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road is an unforgettable journey that provides a high level of experience and memories. It is suitable for all drivers, however, it can be managed with a high budget only.
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number of days
75 km
route length
high
budget
family
good for
on the right
traffic direction
moderate
accident level
START
Splügen
Distance 75 km
Driving time 1.4 h
Pace: modest
19.5 kWh
Airports
ZRH
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Splügen is a picturesque village located in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is the starting point of the San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road, a breathtaking road trip that takes you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Splügen is easily accessible by car, with the closest international airport being Zurich Airport (ZRH). From here, visitors can rent a car to begin the road trip.
Once in Splügen, visitors can explore the town and its surroundings. A must-see is the Splügen Pass, a mountain pass located in the Alps that connects Splügen with Chiavenna in Italy. The pass offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, as well as the Isola Valley.
In addition to the Splügen Pass, visitors should not miss the chance to explore the nearby Splügen Gorge, a stunning canyon carved out by the Spluga River. The canyon has a variety of interesting geological formations, including the Splügen Castle, a rock formation that resembles a castle. The nearby village of Reichenau is also worth a visit, with its old-world charm and stunning views of the Alps.
Finally, visitors should not miss the chance to explore the nearby Splügen Lake, a picturesque alpine lake surrounded by lush forests. Here, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and various other activities.
Splügen is an idyllic village located in the heart of Switzerland and the perfect starting point for the San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road. From here, visitors can explore the stunning Splügen Pass, Splügen Gorge, and Splügen Lake, as well as the charming village of Reichenau. With its breathtaking landscapes and old-world charm, Splügen is a destination that should not be missed.
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Splügen
- San Bernardino Pass
Distance 19 km
Driving time 0.4 h
Pace: modest
5.0 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on a 19km road trip from Splügen, Switzerland to San Bernardino Pass and experience some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. In Splügen, make sure to visit the Splügen Pass, the highest pass in the Swiss Alps, and the nearby Splügen Gorge. Further down the road, you will be able to admire the majestic Lake Ritom, one of the largest natural lakes in Switzerland, and the Piz Cengalo, a mountain in the Lepontine Alps. As you reach San Bernardino Pass, make sure to visit the San Bernardino Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Switzerland, and the nearby San Bernardino Pass, the highest pass in the Alps. This journey will take you less than 1 hour to complete and it is one of the stages of a larger tour. For more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage.
San Bernardino Pass - Switzerland - Europe - Scenic Drive - www.wallpaperflare.com
San Bernardino Pass - Switzerland - Europe - Scenic Drive - commons.wikimedia.org
San Bernardino Pass - Switzerland - Europe - Scenic Drive - commons.wikimedia.org
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San Bernardino Pass
- Roveredo
Distance 44 km
Driving time 0.7 h
Pace: fast
13.3 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on an unforgettable road trip, starting in San Bernardino Pass, Switzerland and ending in Roveredo. This 44 km journey can be completed in less than an hour, and will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the region.
Start your journey by admiring the breathtaking views of the San Bernardino Pass, the highest pass in the Alps. Take a break and explore the nearby village of San Bernardino, where you can find a variety of restaurants and shops.
Continue your journey to the picturesque village of Splügen, situated on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Enjoy the stunning views of the Splügen Pass and take a stroll through the village.
As you make your way to Roveredo, make sure to stop at the small village of Chiavenna. Here, you can visit the Church of San Lorenzo and the Chiavenna Castle.
Finally, you will reach Roveredo. Here you can explore the village and visit the local museum, which houses artifacts from the ancient Roman Empire.
This is one of the stages of a larger tour, and more information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, start planning your journey and enjoy the stunning views of the Swiss Alps!
Roveredo - Switzerland - Europe - Scenic Drive - pt.wikipedia.org
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Roveredo
- Bellinzona
Distance 12 km
Driving time 0.3 h
Pace: slow
2.7 kWh
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Itinerary
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Embark on an exciting road trip from Roveredo to Bellinzona, Switzerland! This 12 km journey takes less than an hour and is full of surprises. Along the way, you will pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and will be able to marvel at the incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Take your time to explore the region's rich history and culture. Stop in the charming villages of Roveredo and Bellinzona, and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Visit the Castelgrande, a 13th century castle located in the heart of Bellinzona, and marvel at its impressive architecture.
Don't forget to take a stroll through the streets of Bellinzona, where you will find some of the most beautiful churches and monuments in the country.
For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, be sure to check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!
Bellinzona - Switzerland - Europe - Scenic Drive - commons.wikimedia.org
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Bellinzona
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Bellinzona is the perfect ending point of the "San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road" road trip – a route through the Swiss Alps that offers spectacular views of the Swiss countryside. Located in the canton of Ticino, Bellinzona is a city with a rich history, full of interesting monuments and places to explore.
The three castles of Bellinzona – Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro – are the most popular attractions in the city. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, these three fortresses are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are a must-see for any traveler. Nearby, the Ponte della Torre bridge offers great views of the city and the surrounding landscape.
Those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere can visit the Parco Ciani, which is the largest park in the city. Here you can find a lake, a playground, a botanical garden and a variety of walking trails. It’s a great spot for a picnic or a leisurely stroll.
Bellinzona also has a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. For those who want to stay overnight, there are several hotels and hostels in the city.
For those traveling by car, the San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road is the best way to reach Bellinzona. The nearest international airport is Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).
San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road at a glance
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Start:
Splügen
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End:
Bellinzona
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Distance:
75 km
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Stay:
1 day
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Getting there:
Zürich Airport (ZRH)
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When to drive:
June, July, August, September
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More info:
More info you can find in the "Itinerary" section at each stage.
We believe that the presented journey idea has become a perfect inspiration for your future travels.
It is a ready-made option that can be conveniently expanded into a longer itinerary – possibilities are innumerable.
If car travel is a means of travel that you prefer, there are a number of important traffic regulations to follow and a bunch of elements to keep in mind to make your journey smooth and safe.
These tips will surely become useful for travellers who are interested in renting a car or renting a camper.
In Alps, there are a number of traffic rules to be remembered while travelling.
In Alps, if you are planning to drive, try to avoid alcohol at all.
The permitted level of alcohol in blood is low and is only 0.3‰.
In order to avoid a speeding fine, it is best to never exceed 50km/h, which is the maximum speed when driving around the the city streets.
When it comes to non-build-up areas, the maximum car speed is 80km/h.
On highways, avoid exceeding the maximum speed of 120km/h.
We recommend driving with your headlights on at daytime and equipping your car with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit to ensure proper safety.
The majority of travellers are also interested in the travel expenses of the whole road trip.
Depending on the needs of the holidaymakers, the cost may differ.
A wide range of budget possibilities is described below.
We estimate that the cheapest offer when it comes to gasoline to cover the planned 75km while travelling around Alps may be roughly 13 EUR.
You will have to spend approximately 110 EUR on economy accommodation options.
The travel expenses connected with food and restaurants within this option can cost up to approximately 96 EUR.
Travellers will have to pay around 63 EUR if they opt for the budget car rental offer as well.
Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to approximately 219 EUR without vehicle rental and 282 EUR with vehicle hire.
Holidayers who seek greater comfort and the standard option should be prepared to pay the maximum of 13 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the trip.
Cost amounting to 187 EUR can be expected by all drivers who are considering standard accommodation options.
Tourists can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost about 144 EUR.
Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard hire vehicle should expect a cost of roughly 81 EUR.
Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay around 425 EUR for the whole San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle hire will spend approximately 344 EUR.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will meet the expectations of the most demanding drivers.
When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total roughly 604 EUR for drivers who are considering car hire and 344 EUR for those who will not be renting.
Travellers who would like to cover the road trip in a premium hire vehicle should expect a cost of approximately 135 EUR.
If you are interested in the premium version of the trip, you will pay around 13 EUR for fuel.
Drivers should expect to pay roughly 192 EUR for restaurants and food and about 264 EUR for hotels if they opt for the top standard of services.
San Bernardino Pass Panoramic Road is also an excellent opportunity for all camper fans.
When it comes to this means of transport, the expenses are around 225 EUR.
Holidayers will spend more or less 25 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the trip.
Holidaymakers should expect to pay approximately 96 EUR for expenses connected with food and around 55 EUR for overnight stays if they want to travel in a camper.
All of the details connected with expenses can be checked in the section Road Trip Costs.
There are numerous exciting journeys that are available on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip ideas.
Hopefully, the great variety of ideas will definitely come up to the expectations of the most demanding travellers.