Crossing the Alps from Italy
 

We're travelling up through Italy in May and will be heading north over the Alps.
We can approach them from any direction but was just wondering if anyone has a recommendation for the best (most scenic) route

Thanks

Re: Crossing the Alps from Italy
 

Surely the Great St Bernard Pass. If the weather is good, it's just fabulous.

Re: Crossing the Alps from Italy
 

Are you set on the Switzerland/France route..?

You can also go via Austria/Germany which is the route I always take and prefer. Fastest way is via the A22 Autostrada which you pick up from the A1 at Modena. Follow it all the way to the Brenner Pass into Austria. Head past Innsbruck along the A12 in direction of Bregenz. Turn off onto the B179 in direction of Reutte over the Fernpass and cross at Reutte/Füssen into Germany to join Autobahn A7.

Even on the Autostrada/Autobahn it's a nice route, and fast, but you can also do the entire route on parallel little roads which are much slower, more entertaining, scenic, and toll free and you can go as slow as you like on them, with the opportunity of stopping off if you want at all kinds of pretty points along the way..

Re: Crossing the Alps from Italy
 

We will be travelling up following a road trip through Italy but we can take any route in from the Italian side, and exit into any other country. We never have any firm plans for our holidays and tend to just drift around on a whim. We're definitely looking for the slower scenic routes.

Re: Crossing the Alps from Italy
 

I have driven through France to Italy, and also via Switzerland. Both are impressive journeys however, what it is probably more important is the weather on the day. If its foggy you may miss a lot.

Re: Crossing the Alps from Italy
 

I don't there's a bad route across the Alps from a tourist/ sightseeing perspective, and I have taken a number of different routes many times, though usually through the tunnels.

If you go over St Bernhard's Pass, then you will pass close to Lakes Como and Lugano, but the downside of that route is going through Chiasso, which is an armpit. If you go further east and over the Brenner Pass then Vipitino is worth a stop.