The Alps Switchback Challenge is a 7-day Club Class Adventure designed for riders who wish to maximize their time riding the great motorcycling roads of the Alps while minimizing hotel changes. Riders will depart Munich for Pfunds, a municipality in the state of Tyrol, Austria. Located only 3 miles from the border with Switzerland, Pfunds is the Adventure Center which will be home for the duration of the tour. From the “biker-friendly” lodge, riders will be led by a local Ayres Adventures tour leader on some of the best riding the Alps has to offer. Riders will experience epic and renowned passes including the “Timmelsjoch” and the “Mighty Stelvio” with its 75 switchbacks.
The Switchback Challenge is ideal for single riders or for couples traveling two-up. Non-riding companions (or companions who do not wish to ride every day) can opt for an enjoyable day exploring Pfunds and relaxing at the hotel.
At a Glance Your Alps Switchback Challenge
Our first riding day offers a perfect opportunity to get accustomed to the bike and the riding conditions in Europe. We journey out on beautiful winding country roads through the upper Bavarian Lake country. Our first stop will be in the picturesque Bavarian village of Bad Tölz, the gateway to the Alps. We’ll cross into Austria where we will encounter and enjoy the exhilaration of our first alpine roads. At a look-out point high above the Inn Valley, we can stop to appreciate stunning mountain views from the extension deck. Curvy roads will lead us into Pfunds where we will find a picturesque alpine village next to the Inn River. History of the town dates back to the 1200s with some buildings as old as 400 years. The support vehicle will have delivered our luggage by the time we arrive at our “home” for the next four nights.
A fantastic day lies ahead as we ride west into the Swiss Alps. Crossing the border into Switzerland, the fun begins with roads that give a clue as to why this tour is labelled “Switchback Challenge”! In spite of the exhilarating ride, it is hard to resist stopping to capture the picture-perfect landscapes of the Alps and the many alpine villages. We will enjoy Swiss hospitality in many of these charming villages along the way. A highlight of the today’s ride is the famous Fluelapass, which at an elevation of 7818 ft, offers breathtaking views of the striking Schwarzhorn and the alpine lakes below. We ride through Davos, the highest altitude town in Europe, and then cross the Julierpass to arrive at our destination, St. Moritz, one of the most famous holiday resort towns in the world.
Today we head back into the Italian Alps where numerous pass roads will make for a great day. We ride east toward the Inn Valley and start climbing to the saddle of Kuehtai, Austria’s highest ski resort. We head back into Italy via the Brennerpass, the most important north-south connection in the Alps. Next we climb the extraordinary Jaufenpass followed by the 8200 ft Paso di Rombo, also known as the Timmelsjoch in German. The summit of this toll road is also the border into Italy. The Timmelsjoch has become a mecca for both bicyclists and motorcyclists from all over the world. As the road is so famous among motorcycle enthusiasts, the owners of a nearby ski-hill decided it was a great location for a motorcycle museum. In a building of stunning architectural design, the museum showcases the culture and history of motorcycle riding with 170 classic motorcycles on display. Though we may be tempted to spend a considerable amount of time at this Top Mountain Crosspoint, it is a long day and so we must continue on our way. On our return to Pfunds, we take a relaxing ride through the Oetz Valley, formed by the main chain of the Alps. The Oetz Valley is famous for the discovery of Ötzi or “Iceman”, which dates back to 3,300 BC.
Please contact us about low frame and/or low seat options for our bikes.
- Includes BMW F750GS
- Additional charge of $150 for a BMW F850GS
- Additional charge of $150 for a BMW F850GS Adv
- Additional charge of $450 for a BMW F900XR
- Additional charge of $550 for a BMW S1000XR
- Additional charge of $450 for a BMW R1250R
- Additional charge of $650 for a BMW R1250GS
- Additional charge of $1,000 for a BMW R1250GS Adv
- Additional charge of $860 for a BMW R1250RS
- Additional charge of $1,230 for a BMW R1250RT
- Personal motorcycle: deduct $600 from the rider price.
Standard Inclusions
- Late model, low mileage motorcycle
- All accommodations
- A’ la carte dining
- One Ayres Adventures professional tour leader
- Airport arrival/departure transfers
- Luggage handling
- Comprehensive pre-trip planning and assistance
- Customized trip booklet with day-by-day itinerary and attractions
- Two commemorative shirts
- Adventurer Club travel award credit
Meals
- All breakfasts
- 4 dinners
2024 Schedule
Date | 2024 Adventures | Length | Rider Price (USD) | Co-Rider Price (USD) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 10 - 16 | Alps Switchback Challenge | 7 days | $3,600 | $2,400 |
2025 Schedule
Date | 2025 Adventures | Length | Rider Price (USD) | Co-Rider Price (USD) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 9 - 15 | Alps Switchback Challenge | 7 days | $3,600 | $2,400 |
2026 Schedule
Date | 2026 Adventures | Length | Rider Price (USD) | Co-Rider Price (USD) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 8 - 14 | Alps Switchback Challenge | 7 days | $3,900 | $2,600 |
Cancellation fee and refunds
FROM DATE OF SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT | AMOUNT FORFEITED |
---|---|
More than 60 days | 50% of deposit |
60 days or fewer but more than 45 days | 100% of deposit |
45 days or fewer but more than 30 days | 50% of full tour payment |
30 days or fewer | 100% of full tour payment |
The Alps Switchback challenge was amazing!
The Alps Switchback challenge was amazing. It was affordable and the correct amount of time for me to be able to use vacation. I want to take my son on a future trip.
Jared's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback challenge
Chattanooga, TN
We are still gushing about how amazing our trip was
From start to finish everything ran seamlessly. The hotels were comfortable and convenient. The food was top notch. Every day the rides and scenery were amazing, but what puts your trip above and beyond is your fantastic guides. Both were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Claus and Fuzzy made sure everyone in our group enjoyed the riding. I can't imagine trying to put this together without them. They not only translated everything for us, but knew of routes that we would have never found on our own and shared a wealth of history and information. We enjoyed Claus' dry and clever sense of humor and Fuzzy's gregarious personality. We are already trying to decide which trip we will do next. Thank you again to you and your team. We are counting the days until the next one!
Lori's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Sheridan, IL
Ayres Adventures had exceeded all of my expectations!
Ayres Adventures had exceeded all of my expectations! The entertainment, scenery, history made riding in a different country easy! I will return!
David's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Beloit, WI
Look forward to taking another tour with Ayres
Riding the Alps had been on the bucket list for many years.
Finally got to do the Switchback Challenge with my good friend Dave.
This was the first time on an organized tour like this and it was everything I hoped it would be.
The riding was challenging, guides were outstanding, hotels and food were great!
I look forward to taking another tour with Ayres.
Jim's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Beloit, WI
We were so pleased with the help we received
My wife and I were worried about riding in a foreign country. Language barriers, foreign currency, traffic and other differences. We were so pleased with the help we received from everyone we met and our tour leaders. The worst part of the trip was the flight home. We hated to leave.
Robert's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Merrillville, IN
Definitely a FIVE star company!
Anyone planning a tour should only consider Ayres Adventures. Safety is of the utmost importance to this company and this was displayed throughout my trip by Claus and Axel. The motorcycle that I rode was a brand new BMW R1250R with all the bells and whistles, a pleasure to ride. In a matter 48 hours we became one big family. Definitely a FIVE star company!
Charles' Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Staten Island, NY
The motorcycles, lodging and meals were top notch
This was our first trip with Ayres Adventures and it was great! Our group of eight, from Atlanta, signed up for the Alps Switchback Challenge. The services provided were exactly as advertised. The motorcycles, lodging and meals were top notch. Our trip leader, Claus, was totally professional and manged to keep us out of jail in four countries. We found the overall value good and the attention to detail always there. Give these folks a try. I believe you will be happy you did, we are!
Chuck's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Marietta, GA
I returned refreshed and ready to go
The Ayres Adventure tour made me totally disconnect from daily life challenges and I returned refreshed and ready to go.
Thanks, guys!!
Kayvan's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Centreville, VA
Ayres Adventure Switchback Challenge was amazing
Ayres Adventure Switchback Challenge was amazing. If you are the type of rider who measures the chicken strip before and after your ride (like my husband does) then this tour is for you. We spent most of the time leaning than we did riding up right. This was especially challenging for me because I was riding two up and in charge of the filming while trying to hold on. Axel was not only entertaining but a wealth of knowledge when it came to the bikes, riding and safety. He made sure to include me in the decision making process even though I was the only female and pillion. He went above and beyond to make me feel like a real life princess on my birthday. The little touches did not go unnoticed. Thank you Axel and thank you Ayres for the trip of a life time.
Erika's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Erica created a video about our 2016 Switchback Challenge Adventure. Click here to watch the video.
St. Augustine, FL
The trip of a lifetime
My bucket list motorcycle tour to the European Alps with Ayres Adventures was indeed the trip of a lifetime. Great riding, great food, great hotel and great fun.
Cecil's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Africa Panorama Tour
Middleburg, FL
Best yet father and son outing to date in this lifetime!
Bob and Sean's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Bountiful, Utah
It was a great experience!
My wife booked this tour for my son and I for my son's high school graduation present. My wife is our family's chief financial officer,and she wanted me to tell you that she believed it was a very good experience for the cost. That is huge coming from her! I have her permission to do more tours with your company!
Axel and Claus were very good to be with for the week. No complaints whatsoever. They could not have been more gracious. Thank you so much for everything your personnel did to accommodate us. There were no problems that we encountered, from signing up to checking out. It was a great experience.
Mark and Tristen's Adventures include:
Alps Switchback Challenge
Grand Rapids, Michigan
START CITY: MUNICH
- Nearest international airport: Munich Airport
- Airport code: MUC
- Approximate distance from city centre: 18 miles/29 kms
END CITY: MUNICH
- Nearest international airport: Munich Airport
- Airport code: MUC
- Approximate distance from city centre: 18 miles/29 kms
Private Tour Inquiry
We are happy to book any of our motorcycle tour as a private tour. For most tours, we require a minimum of 8 bikes, or 12 participants (riders plus co-riders). We can provide a private motorcycle tour for smaller groups, but a surcharge may apply. We can also customize any of our regular tours for a private group.