Julierpass, Switzerland

[Lawrence1]

My wife and I intend travelling into Italy via the Julierpass for the first time in mid May this year. Does anyone know if the pass is likely to be open, and how my 130bhp, 2.0 tdci Mondeo, with a balanced van, is likely to behave through the pass. We are also thinking of stopping at the 'Camping la Riva' in Sorico on Lake Como - anyone been there?

 

[Tim2]

Hi Lawrence

Sorry that I've not replied sooner - I did try but my PC was playing up.

I can't comment on the Julier Pass but my wife and I travelled to Camping La Riva and stayed for a couple of weeks last summer. You can read a review of our visit here. We enjoyed La Riva but you should note it does overlook the river, Lake Como is a little further down the river.

http://www.caravanning4u.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3491
We travelled via the St Gotthard Pass on the way south and St Gotthard Tunnel on the return journey. We landed at Dunkirk and then drove down through Belgium, Luxembourg and France. The route was free of tolls until we arrived in Switzerland when we had to pay the the extortionate Autoroutes Vignettes for car and 'van.

We were towing our twin axle Avondale Landranger with our 3.2 Vauxhall Monterey 4x4 and we managed pass and tunnel without mishap. We did have a major breakdown later but I don't think that was related to our route!!

If you have further specific questions just post asking and I will try to answer.

Best wishes

Tim

 

[BarryB_5039906]

Hi Lawrence

I have not travelled over the Julier Pass, but I think it is NOT recommended by the Caravan Club. Hope this is of use to you. Happy travels. BarryB

 

[Tim2]

Hi Lawrence

The Caravan Club's "Caravan Europe" (2006 says of the Julier Pass.

"Height above sea Level 2284m (7493 feet). Min width road 4m, Max vehicle width 2.5. Well engineered road appraoched from Chur, via Sils, Fine scenery. Negotiable by caravans from N to S. Alternative rail tunnel from Thussi to Samedan."

As North to South is best you could try the that easier way on the way "down" and consider if you want to return that way too.

Having said that I would recommend the Gotthand Tunnel/Pass for Camping La Riva but note the warning in my review that the West side of the lake road is NOT good for towing, VERY NARROW, particularly in some of the villages enroute.

Best wishes for a happy hol.

Tim

 

[Tim2]

Lawrence

SORRY a serious ommission in my last post.

The Caravan Club book actually

says "negotiable by caravans PREFERABLY from North to south"

Sorry about that

Regards

Tim

 

[LadyMo]

Lawrence,

If you go to:-

www.myswitzerland.com

at the bottom of the page is an e-mail contact and then you will have official news as to whther you can use the pass or not.

Hope this is helpful

Maureen

 

[Lawrence1]

Hi Lawrence

The Caravan Club's "Caravan Europe" (2006 says of the Julier Pass.

"Height above sea Level 2284m (7493 feet). Min width road 4m, Max vehicle width 2.5. Well engineered road appraoched from Chur, via Sils, Fine scenery. Negotiable by caravans from N to S. Alternative rail tunnel from Thussi to Samedan."

As North to South is best you could try the that easier way on the way "down" and consider if you want to return that way too.

Having said that I would recommend the Gotthand Tunnel/Pass for Camping La Riva but note the warning in my review that the West side of the lake road is NOT good for towing, VERY NARROW, particularly in some of the villages enroute.

Best wishes for a happy hol.

Tim

Thanks Tim - I had stopped checking for replies after a few days!! I am now favouring the St Gothard's pass - I presume you journeyed up the east side of the lake, so what route did you take to go from the A2/A9 south across from Como to the road on the west side?

Lawrence

 

[Lawrence1]

Lawrence,

If you go to:-

www.myswitzerland.com

at the bottom of the page is an e-mail contact and then you will have official news as to whther you can use the pass or not.

Hope this is helpful

Maureen

Thanks Maureen - I will check this out.

Lawrence

 

[Lawrence1]

Hi Lawrence

I have not travelled over the Julier Pass, but I think it is NOT recommended by the Caravan Club. Hope this is of use to you. Happy travels. BarryB

Thanks BarryB - I am now considering the St Gothard's Pass.

Lawrence