The 7 Best Winter Road Trips in the Alps

The Alps are one of the largest and highest mountain ranges in Europe. Traversing across 8 different countries, the Alps are home to some of the most raw and natural beauty on the continent. And what better time of year to see the snow-capped peaks than during winter? You will feel like you’re on the front of a Christmas card as you meander through the stunning scenery of the Alps, which are best explored by road.

While driving through the Alps in winter can be dangerous, it can be incredibly rewarding. With breathtaking scenery from every angle, these are the 7 best winter road trips in the Alps.

What sort of car should I hire for the Alps?

Driving through the Alps can be contentious at times, but especially in winter. While some roads are closed during the winter, most remain open but require drivers to adhere to several criteria, including having winter tyres equipped on their vehicle or diving with snow chains over the wheels.

As a result, it’s best to avoid a small car if you are planning on a winter road trip in the Alps. For something safer and more suitable, you will want to be looking at 4x4 vehicles, or at least large vehicles. Some examples are the Jeep Compass, Mercedes B-Class, or Range Rover Evoque, which are all suitable options. They can be hired exclusively through Enjoy Travel at their many Alpine locations.

Here are the best winter road trips in the Alps

1. The Lukmanier Pass – Switzerland

With a staggering 58% of the country being covered by the Alps, it's no surprise that a winter road trip in the Alps would go through Switzerland. One of the best routes to drive through is the Lukmanier Pass, a stretch of road with exquisite scenery on all sides found in the south of the country.

The best way to experience the Lukmanier Pass in winter is to make the short journey from Distentis to Serravalle, which can be completed in just over an hour, with non-stop driving. However, you will definitely want to stop to snap some out-of-this-world photos. The sunrise over Switzerland from the Lukmanier Pass is one of the most incredible scenes that you can witness in the country, so it’s worth the early start.

Of course, the benefit of doing this route in winter is that you don’t need to be up at the crack of dawn to be able to experience sunrise – as long as you’re onto the Lukmanier Pass by about 09:00, you’ll have the view of a lifetime below.

When you arrive in Serravelle, treat yourself to a nice coffee and some even nicer Swiss chocolate.

Distance: 56km

Route highlights: Scenic views, pine forest, and wildlife such as deer.

2. The Giau Pass – Italy

Another Alpine pass which is open during the winter months is found just south of Switzerland in northern Italy. For those who want a slightly longer road trip, then we would suggest driving from Treviso to Pocol, a journey which can be completed in around two and a half hours.

This journey incorporates the wonderful Giau Pass, part of the Italian Dolomites within the Alps. With an elevation of 2236m above sea level, you will see a side of Italy that you’ve likely not experienced before – it’s a far cry from the sun-soaked beaches of Sardinia or the bustling streets of Rome.

Throughout this road trip, you can expect to see many traditional northern Italian Alpine villages, which share many similarities with their Swiss, French and Slovenian counterparts. Culturally, this area of Italy is much different to the larger cities further south, which makes for a fascinating road trip.

We recommend buying some locally-made delicacies along the way or purchasing a hand-made ornament from one of the many villages which adorn either side of the Giau Pass. During the middle of winter, it is recommended to bring emergency supplies in your vehicle in case you get stuck, but if you take extra precautions such as winter tyres and snow chains, then you should be fine.

Distance: 140km

Route highlights: Italian Alpine villages, high mountain roads, snowcapped mountain peaks

3. Montreaux to Chamonix – Switzerland, France

For those wanting to tick off more than one country in a road trip, this is an ideal one to tackle during winter in the Alps. Starting in Montreaux in Switzerland (on the shoreline of Lake Geneva) and ending over the border in Chamonix in France – which also sits on the Franco-Italian border – this is one of the most scenic road trips in the world.

Chamonix is known for its ski resorts, and it sits at the base of Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain. Ideal for those who have packed their skis and fancy hitting the slopes once arriving in Chamonix, the route itself is home to some of the most delightful winter scenery in Europe.

Furthermore, Montreaux is known for its year-round beauty, but if you visit from mid-November through to early January, you can experience the world-famous Montreaux Christmas Market – one of Europe’s best festive markets, with a range of delicious food, warming drinks and hand-crafted goods which make for excellent Christmas presents.

Both Chamonix and Montreaux are fantastic places to visit, so why not make the 1 hour and 20-minute journey and experience both by undertaking a winter road trip in the Alps? You could even extend the trip by a few kilometres and visit Entrèves in Italy to tick off three countries in one road trip.

Distance: 86km

Route highlights: Montreaux Christmas Markets, Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc

4. Bregenz to Arlberg – Austria

Another country that people visit specifically to go to the Alps is Austria, which is why this Central European Alpine wonder is next on our list for being home to one of the best winter road trips in the Alps.

The Austrian Alps are known for getting heavy snowfall, and as a result, many of the roads are closed over winter. It is also a legal requirement to drive with winter tyres from 1st November until 15th April in the Austrian Alps (and most of Austria, too), so be prepared to do so.

One of the routes which is open year-round, however, is the road trip from Bregenz to Arlberg, in the far west of the country. This road does require a toll – currently priced at €8 (£6.62), but that’s a small price to pay for the scenery that you will be rewarded for during the journey.

One of the most interesting things that you will come across in this 2-hour 15 15-minute journey is the traditional craftsmanship and woodwork along the way. For centuries, western Austria was home to some of the finest woodworkers in Europe, and this tradition is still felt strongly today, with many lodgings being constructed from wood, and many craftspeople selling their wooden wares at small villages along the way.

Ending the road trip in the mountainous region of Arlberg is ideal for those who enjoy skiing, or simply a roaring fire and a hearty meal at the end of a long day.

Distance: 95km

Route highlights: Traditional wooden buildings, pine forests, meandering mountain roads

5. Falzarego Pass – Italy

Returning back to Italy for this next Alpine winter road trip, traversing across the Falzarego Pass makes for a memorable driving experience.

Found in northern Italy, not too far from the village of Pocol which was mentioned earlier, for this road trip, we suggest starting in Cortina and ending in Bolzano. While this route can be completed by main roads, that’s nowhere near as fun as taking the Falzarego Pass through the Italian Alps!

The journey – without stopping – takes approximately two hours and 40 minutes, so with a few stops along the way you can expect this to take a good half day or even a full day. And there are plenty of reasons to stop along the way – how about lunch in one of the small northern Italian villages, with the backdrop of the glorious Italian Alps in the background?

Further, there is some stunning wildlife which can be seen at this time of year, such as chamois (a species of mountain goat), and bearded vultures, and if you’re very lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the incredibly rare Italian wolf.

Distance: 112km

Route highlights: Native wildlife, magnificent views, traditional Alpine Italian villages and settlements.

6. Sargans to Malbun – Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein

Another one for the road trippers who love to fit in a few countries at the same time, this road trip from Sargans to Malbun lets you see one of the oldest and most well-preserved countries in Europe from the mountains: Liechtenstein.

Due to its small size – 160km² – Liechtenstein is the fourth-smallest country in Europe and can be driven around in around two hours. However, to see the most stunning part of the country, a road trip starting in neighbouring Switzerland and ending in the beautiful mountain resort of Malbun is the best way to do it.

The route also takes you through another of Liechtenstein’s neighbours, Austria, so you can drive through three countries in less than two hours. While in the majority of the journey, you are surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Alps, you will also pass through Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, which itself is nestled in the Liechtensteinian Alps.

This is ideal for those who want to stop a few times during the journey – not only can you experience three different countries, but you can immerse yourself in their culture and try out their food and drinks at various places along the way.

Distance: 84km

Route highlights: Vaduz, the Austrian Alps, and snow-capped mountain peaks.

7. Ljubljana to Kranjsha Gora – Slovenia

The final road trip on this list takes us to the most northerly of the Balkans, and the furthest west that the Alps go to – the wonderfully charming country of Slovenia.

Starting in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, this road trip will take you in a north-westerly direction to Kranjsha Gora, a picture-perfect town near both the Austrian and Italian borders. Take the roads into either of these countries from Kranjsha Gora to tick off another two countries in one road trip.

However, the highlight of this road trip – aside from passing through the Julian Alps that Slovenia is so well-known for – is by far the small diversion to Lake Bled, one of the most picturesque locations in all of Europe. This small diversion (30km or so) is absolutely worth your time, not just to experience Lake Bled in its winter beauty with the low sun reflecting off the sparkling blue waters with the Alpine backdrop, but it is also one of the most Instagrammable spots in the country.

Finally, upon arriving at Kranjsha Gora, you will be greeted with a Christmas-card-like scene – smoke puffing gently from chimneys of the houses dotted around the town, and roaring log fires and friendly faces in the many bars and restaurants in the town. We can’t think of a better sight after a couple of hours on the road in the winter.

Distance: 124km

Route highlights: Lake Bled, Kranjsha Gora, and local Slovenian Alpine villages.