Six Bikes, One Mountain Pass: A Guided Motorcycle Tour Through the Swiss Alps

One day, ~500 km, and landscapes you'll never forget — leaving Milan and returning with the soul full
The Day Six Motorcycles Conquered the Alps
There are days that start like any other: the alarm goes off early, the coffee is still hot, and your gear has been packed since the night before. But some days — rare ones — end with the certainty that you've lived something no photograph can fully capture. That's exactly what happened on the guided motorcycle tour that Moretto Moto Rental recently organized with six riders, departing from the outskirts of Milan and setting course for the legendary Passo San Gottardo in the Swiss Alps.
Around 500 kilometres in a single day. Two countries. Multiple alpine passes. And a group that started as clients and finished as friends.
If you've ever dreamed of travelling through Italy and Europe by motorcycle, this is the story for you.
The Lineup: Six Bikes Ready to Roll
The group gathered early, as any proper motorcycle outing demands. Six bikes of different makes and models — each with its own story and its own rider — lined up and ready to go. A mix that perfectly represents what motorcycle touring is really about: it doesn't matter what you ride, it matters where you're going.
Moretto Moto Rental, based near Milan and just minutes from Malpensa Airport, was the meeting point and organiser of the tour — with an experienced guide and Portuguese-language support for the Brazilian riders in the group.
The route for the day was set, but as with any great moto tour, there was room for the unexpected. The goal was simple: reach Passo San Gottardo without touching a single motorway. Mountain roads, hairpin bends, panoramic views, and the kind of freedom only two wheels can give you.
Passo Portosela: The First Alpine Challenge of the Day
Before reaching the main destination, the group first had to tackle Passo Portosela. Anyone who knows the Italian Alps understands that each mountain pass has its own personality. The Portosela delivers exactly what motorcyclists look for: a gradual climb with well-designed bends, good road surface, and that growing sense that the world below is getting smaller with every turn.
For riders setting out from the Lombardy region with Swiss passes in their sights, the Portosela is the perfect warm-up. The bikes performed exactly as expected on this kind of terrain — stable, comfortable, and genuinely enjoyable. A well-maintained touring motorcycle on roads like these reveals everything it's capable of.
Coffee Stops: The Ritual Every Rider Knows
One or two coffee stops are part of any well-run motorcycle route. Not just for the coffee itself — although an Italian espresso at altitude in the Alps has a flavour that's impossible to describe — but for what happens in those moments: helmets come off, jackets open, someone points at a distant peak and starts telling a story.
These pauses are an essential part of motorcycle tourism. It's when the group gets to know each other better, when road tips get exchanged, and when you realise that regardless of where everyone comes from, you're all there for the same reason: a love of two wheels and roads that never seem to end.
Passo San Gottardo: The Destination That Never Disappoints
Arriving at Passo San Gottardo, the scene that greeted the group was beautiful, if different from previous years. Ice was still present — a firm layer, leftover from winter — but the deep snow that usually blankets the area was nowhere to be found. A drier San Gottardo, but no less imposing.
At 2,106 metres above sea level, the San Gottardo is one of the most historically and strategically important alpine passes in Europe. Located in Switzerland, it has connected north and south for centuries — crossed by armies, merchants, and more recently by motorcyclists from around the world seeking one of the most intense experiences in European motorcycle touring.
The view from the top of the pass is the kind that stops time. Rock, frozen lakes, wind arriving from every direction, and a silence broken only by the quiet ticking of cooling engines. The group stayed a good while — taking photos, taking it in, savouring the moment.
Lunch at the Summit: The Classic Panino of San Gottardo
Lunch was simple and perfect: a classic panino at the San Gottardo pass restaurant. After hours of riding through the alpine roads, nothing comes close to this. Warm bread, cold air still biting at your fingers even through the gloves, the steam rising from a coffee cup — small sensations that, together, build memories that never fade.
For those who haven't been: the historic restaurant at Passo San Gottardo has been a fixture for decades and is a classic meeting point for motorcyclists crossing the Swiss Alps. Stopping there is practically a mandatory tradition.
From Andermatt to Müstair: The Stretch You Need to Ride
After lunch at San Gottardo, the group descended towards Andermatt — one of the most strategically located towns in the Swiss Alps. Andermatt sits at the crossroads of four alpine passes, and it carries a special energy that every motorcyclist feels upon arrival. It's the kind of place where you stop, look around, and realise you're right at the heart of the mountains.
From Andermatt, the group headed towards Müstair, in the Val Müstair — a Swiss valley that borders the Italian South Tyrol. The road linking Andermatt to Müstair is one of the most underrated stretches on any conventional motorcycle route map, and one of the most beloved by those who've had the privilege of riding it. Winding, with landscapes that shift with every bend and a progression in altitude that both challenges and rewards.
Müstair also holds a historic treasure: the Monastery of St John, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Carolingian frescoes dating back to the 9th century. A quick stop for those passing through, but one that's absolutely worth it.
If you're planning a motorcycle road trip through Switzerland, the Andermatt–Müstair stretch is a genuine recommendation from riders who've done it: don't skip this leg. It's one of the most beautiful and least crowded sections of the Alps, with roads in excellent condition and scenery that rivals any postcard from Europe.
Acquarossa and the Descent Through the Valley
From the Andermatt route, the group descended towards Acquarossa — a small town in the canton of Ticino, still within Switzerland. Acquarossa sits in the Valle di Blenio, one of the most picturesque valleys in Italian-speaking Switzerland — a region where the language, cuisine, and architecture already carry a Mediterranean warmth that hints at the nearby Italian border.
The road dropping through the valley is a gift to any motorcyclist. Gentle, with wide-radius bends, lined by dense woodland with the mountains always in the background. The kind of landscape that makes you slow down not out of obligation, but out of sheer pleasure in absorbing every detail.
Berbenno and the Return to Milan
The final leg of the day was the return: from Berbenno di Valtellina, a small town in the province of Sondrio, back on Italian soil, the group made their way towards Milan. The Valtellina is one of Lombardy's most beautiful and least explored regions — known for its Sforzato wine, its apple orchards, and roads that follow the Adda river with a quiet elegance.
When the lights of Milan began to appear in the distance, the group already knew: they had lived one of those days that stays with you. Around 500 kilometres ridden, two countries crossed, multiple alpine passes conquered — and not a single motorway touched.
Route Summary
• Duration: 1 full day
• Total distance: approximately 500 km
• Countries: Italy and Switzerland
• Key stretches: Passo Portosela, Passo San Gottardo, Andermatt → Müstair (Val Müstair)
• Bikes: 6 motorcycles, mixed makes and models
• Motorway used: none
• Level: intermediate / advanced (recommended for riders with experience on mountain passes and altitude)
Practical Tips for This Route
Best time of year
The Swiss Alps and Italian alpine passes are generally accessible by motorcycle between June and September. Early in the season (May / early June), some passes may still have snow or ice — as this group found at San Gottardo. That's not necessarily a problem, but it does require extra care and appropriate gear.
Fuel and tolls
Fuel is more expensive in Switzerland than in Italy. Fill up well before crossing the border. Don't forget the Swiss vignette — a mandatory annual motorway sticker required to travel on Swiss roads. In Italy, most of the secondary roads that make up this route are toll-free.
Weather and gear
Even in summer, temperatures at alpine passes can drop significantly. Always carry extra cold-weather layers, a rain suit, and lined or heated gloves. The temperature difference between the Lombardy plain (Milan departure) and the top of the Alps can be 15°C or more.
Documents and border crossing
Switzerland is not part of the Schengen Area, so always carry your passport (not just an ID card) when crossing the border. Brazilian riders with a valid Schengen visa for Italy generally face no major complications entering Switzerland as tourists, but it's always worth checking current entry requirements before your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this route be done in a single day?
Yes, as the Moretto group proved. With around 500 km and an early start, you can do it comfortably and still have time for stops and lunch. The key is to avoid motorways — ironically, what makes the journey longer in distance but infinitely more rewarding.
Do I need experience to ride this route?
Intermediate to advanced experience is recommended. Alpine passes involve constant bends, altitude changes, and the possibility of wet or gravelly surfaces. For beginners, Moretto Moto Rental can adapt the route to more accessible options, such as Lago di Como or Lago di Garda.
What kind of motorcycle is best for this route?
For long-distance alpine routes, touring motorcycles are the most suitable choice: they offer a comfortable riding position for hours on the road, wind protection, good luggage capacity, and stability in corners. Trail or adventure bikes also perform very well on these stretches, especially where the road surface is uneven. The important thing is that the bike is well maintained, with suitable tyres and brakes in good order — the roads take care of the rest.
Does Moretto Moto Rental offer guided tours like this one?
Yes. In addition to motorcycle rental near Milan and Malpensa Airport, Moretto offers guided group tours — with Portuguese-language support for Brazilian riders. It's the perfect way to explore Italy and Europe's best roads without logistical stress.
Ready to Plan Your Own Ride?
This wasn't a route from a travel guide. It was a real adventure — six bikes, six people, and roads that most car drivers will never know. And what made it all possible, beyond the incredible scenery, was having the right equipment and the right support.
Moretto Moto Rental was created exactly for this: so that motorcyclists arriving at Malpensa Airport or visiting Milan can rent a touring motorcycle prepared for long distances and head out towards the best roads in Italy and Europe — no hassle, no worries, with Portuguese-speaking support for riders coming from Brazil.
Whether it's one epic day in the Alps, a week exploring the Dolomites, a loop around Lago di Como, or a road trip to France or Austria — Moretto has the bike and the route for you.
✉ Get in touch with Moretto Moto Rental, share your dream, and start planning your next motorcycle adventure through Italy and Europe. The roads are waiting.