Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Sep 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: warrington uk
Posts: 33
northern italy end april..

helo
ive got 2 weeks of end april start may and was thinking of doing some of the passes in northern italy.but will the weather ok then or will there still be a lot of snow about.not botherd if it rains,im from manchester.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Are you feeling lucky (as they say)? The traditional end to the ski season in the Alps is the last weekend in April so there's probably still going to be a lot of snow around until then.

The main routes are kept open throughout the winter but many of the minor passes (the interesting ones) are usually snowbound until it melts. That may be anywhere from the end of April to the start of July depending what sort of winter its been.

TBH May is probably my least favourite month in the Alps. Still cold from the snow melt but with a lot more rain than the summer. Probably just like Manchester really
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Oct 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: BELGIUM & ITALY
Posts: 12
end of April is a bad timing if you really want to enjoy the riding. I live part of my life at Lake Maggiore and I find it difficult to predict the weather. Most of the mountain passes are closed in April (Great St Bernard, Petit St Bernard, Bernardino, some of the Dolomite passes, Stelvio, etc.... Passes like the Simplon are open year-round but are not very interesting. As from the beginning of May passes will be open but sometimes dates vary according to late snow fall etc...
June is the best month, weather usually good and you can still ride the passes, whereas in July and especially in August it can be pretty crowded in the mountains. Everybody who's got a bike wants to be there then !
There are some pretty good websites about the alpine passes - i personally use an app called Alpentourer but it's Dutch and takes it's info from the local traffic websites - it's efficient and correct. I am sure there are some in English that do the same. Good luck and enjoy your ride !
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Oct 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Hungary
Posts: 31
in this year I was in Dolomiten end of May and was perfect, the roads of passes were without snow but near to the tops there was snow beside the roads, the trafic was minimal (weekdays) scenery beutifull
I agree with the ones who say May is one of the better month to ride there
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Oct 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Italy and Russia
Posts: 29
all higher and interesting alps passes are open from the 1 of June.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Oct 2016
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,102
I was in Milan for work in mid-May. Wanted to rent a Scrambler and go ride in the mountains. Asked the locals if it was possible to get to Stelvio and back in a single long day, the answer was: yes, but it's still full of snow.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Nov 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sondrio (Italy)
Posts: 30
It depends of where exactly you want to go, because, as others said, most of mountain passes are closed in April. If you write: 'apertura passi alpini' you will find some links.


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Nov 2016
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
Hello Mike:

It's going to be a bit of a crapshoot trying to ride the passes on the south side of the Alps during the last week of April and the first week of May.

If you are lucky, the snowfall might be light this winter, and we might have a warm second half of April, and you might have a great time.

If you are unlucky, the last two weeks of April might be cold, and there might be a final big snow dump during the last week of April, and not only will you not be able to ride any pass above about 3,000 feet, the temperature will be low every day and you will have a horrible time.

If you don't have any control over the timing (meaning, you are stuck with the last week of April and first week of May), I suggest you make a "Plan B" for use if the weather is not co-operative. A very pleasant "Plan B" would be to keep on riding past Venice, go down through Slovenia and into Croatia, and ride along the shore of the Adriatic, exploring around down there. There is some great riding to be had - lots of twisties, and some genuine mountain roads. Plus, you'll be way ahead of tourist season, and the prices for everything from fuel to food to hotels will be half of what they will be in Italy.

Michael
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride saralou Ride Tales 3533 1 Day Ago 21:59
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 07:38
Uzbekistan (places along the "Silk Road") - leaving end of April 2013 lado Travellers Seeking Travellers 20 28 Apr 2013 18:37
2 bikes for sale Northern Chile mid-late April 2012 pander SOUTH AMERICA 1 17 Apr 2012 00:44

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:55.