Switzerland Summer 2026 – Five days, five Alpine passes, and unforgettable moments with your motorhome Summer 2026
Finally, we were back in Switzerland! After the past few months, this trip was something special. After Kirsten's operation, we consciously wanted to take it a bit easier and find out how our way of traveling had changed. Instead of trying to cover as many kilometers as possible, we wanted to enjoy the impressive mountain scenery again and take time for the beautiful moments.
In five days, we covered 1,981 kilometers and crossed five impressive Alpine passes: the Flüela Pass, the Bernina Pass, the Julier Pass, the San Bernardino Pass, and the historic Gotthard Pass. Along the way, fantastic pitches, spontaneous changes of plan, spectacular mountain landscapes, and Dayo's first SUP adventure on Lake Brienz awaited us, making it a very special experience.
Join us on our first Swiss weekend in summer 2026 and experience a journey that showed us that sometimes the unplanned moments create the most beautiful memories.
📍 Table of Contents:
- First night at the pitch in Vättis
- Flüela Pass – Our first Alpine pass
- Bernina Pass – Between glaciers and mountain scenery
- Julier Pass – Windier than expected
- Overnight stay at the pitch in Rona
- San Bernardino Pass & Laghetto Moesola
- The historic Gotthard Pass and the Tremola
- A wonderful night on the Gotthard Pass
- Lake Brienz – Dayo's first SUP adventure
- Last night at the picnic area in Kandern
- Our conclusion on the motorhome trip through Switzerland
First night at the pitch in Vättis
After long anticipation, we started our motorhome trip early in the morning towards Switzerland. Our route took us via Bregenz to Vättis. On the first day of our trip, we covered a total of about 778 kilometers before reaching our first destination.
For the first night, we chose the pitch in Vättis (Park4Night #293102). The pitch costs 20 CHF per night and offers neither electricity nor supply and disposal, but exactly what we were looking for after the long journey: peace and quiet.
The pitch is located in close proximity to a river and is ideal for a relaxed walk. Dayo particularly enjoyed himself here. The existing Dixi toilet was also clean and completely sufficient for an overnight stay.
After the long drive, we enjoyed the quiet evening and looked forward to the scenic part of our trip to Switzerland finally beginning the next morning. The next day, three impressive Alpine passes were already on our agenda: the Flüela Pass, the Bernina Pass, and the Julier Pass.
Our first evening at the pitch in Vättis – the perfect start to our motorhome trip through the Swiss Alps.
Our conclusion on the pitch in Vättis
If you are looking for a quiet overnight stay without much comfort, this is the right place. We really liked the pitch and would head for it again at any time on another trip through Switzerland.
Our Swiss Highlights as a Video 🎬
Flüela Pass – Our first Alpine pass
Upon arriving at the Flüela Pass, we first made a stop at the famous Grand Tour of Switzerland sign. Directly next to it are free parking spaces, ideal for a short break or as a starting point for hikes.
Afterwards, we drove a short distance further to the mountain lake. Of course, Dayo immediately wanted to explore the water, but quickly decided that it was a bit too cold for him. Despite the summer temperatures, there were still some snowfields around the pass, which added a special charm to the landscape.
During our approximately 30-minute stay, there was surprisingly little traffic on the Flüela Pass. This allowed us to enjoy the impressive mountain scenery and the pleasant tranquility at our leisure. It is precisely this combination of spectacular landscape and relaxed atmosphere that makes the Flüela Pass one of the most beautiful Alpine passes of the entire trip for us.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland sign on the Flüela Pass is a popular photo stop and offers a fantastic view of the impressive mountain landscape.
Our conclusion on the Flüela Pass
The Flüela Pass immediately captivated us. The varied landscape, the free parking options, and the relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect stopover on a motorhome trip through Switzerland. For us, it is one of the most beautiful Alpine passes in the country, and we would visit it again at any time.
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Bernina Pass – Between glaciers and mountain scenery
Even the drive over the Bernina Pass impressed us with its magnificent mountain scenery. Especially the views of the snow-covered peaks and glaciers make this pass a special experience.
Since this was our first time here, we took some time to enjoy the scenery and take some photos. For our video, we even drove a little further towards Italy, but turned back just before the border. Our goal was simply to capture the impressive route.
Dayo provided a special moment when he encountered a cow. Both observed each other curiously from a safe distance. It's always nice to see how attentively he perceives his surroundings while remaining completely relaxed. Such small encounters are simply part of a trip for us and often make it unforgettable.
Despite the beautiful view, the Bernina Pass personally did not inspire us as much as we had expected. Perhaps our expectations after all the pictures and reports beforehand were simply a bit too high. The landscape is undoubtedly impressive, yet we generally liked the Flüela Pass a little better.
Golden Retriever Dayo meets a cow on a pasture on the Bernina Pass in Switzerland. In the background are green mountain slopes and the Alpine landscape.
Our conclusion on the Bernina Pass
The Bernina Pass impresses with its stunning glacier landscape and wide views of the Swiss Alps. Even though it personally didn't captivate us as much as other passes on this trip, we would still include it on a tour through Switzerland – if only for the unique scenery.
Julier Pass – Windier than expected
Upon arriving at the Julier Pass, an impressive mountain landscape greeted us. We had actually planned to spend the night here and let the evening end amidst the Alps.
But after a short time, we realized that this plan wouldn't work today. A strong wind swept across the pass, making it unpleasantly cool. In addition, Dayo was still slightly wet after his excursion to the mountain lake. Instead of spending the evening in the motorhome and hoping for better weather, we spontaneously decided to drive on.
Sometimes, that's just part of a motorhome trip: plans change, and you have to stay flexible. So, we set off for Rona, where we eventually found a suitable pitch for the night.
Our conclusion on the Julier Pass
We really liked the Julier Pass scenically. With better weather conditions, we would have gladly stayed longer and even spent the night there. However, sometimes the weather dictates the further route – and precisely this spontaneity is what makes a motorhome trip so appealing to us.
Overnight stay at the pitch in Rona
The pitch in Rona (Park4Night #103195) is our spontaneous alternative to the Julier Pass – and exactly the right decision for this night. The campsite offers around 30 pitches as well as electricity, supply and disposal, clean sanitary facilities with showers, and a restaurant. A small river flows directly next to the site, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
After the windy conditions on the Julier Pass, we enjoyed the quiet evening and let the day end in a relaxed manner. We paid 43 CHF for the overnight stay.
However, the next morning revealed the biggest disadvantage of the site. The road directly behind the campsite gets heavily trafficked early on, making it significantly louder than the evening before.
The pitch in Rona offers a restaurant, modern sanitary facilities, and is a good starting point for an overnight stay in the Swiss Alps.
Our conclusion on the pitch in Rona
The pitch in Rona is clean, well-maintained, and offers everything you need for a comfortable overnight stay. However, for us personally, it was a bit too classic. Since we prefer quiet and natural surroundings, we would probably choose a different pitch on our next trip. But if you value good facilities, you'll find a solid overnight spot here.
Our Highlights as a Video 🎬
San Bernardino Pass & Laghetto Moesola
The San Bernardino Pass is new territory for us. We've never been here before and are excited to see what awaits us. Even on the drive up, we are thrilled by the varied landscape with its sweeping views and impressive mountains.
Once at the top, we naturally stop at the famous Grand Tour of Switzerland sign. From there, we drive on to Laghetto Moesola, a small mountain lake nestled in the alpine landscape. Here we enjoy the tranquility and let the impressive scenery soak in.
As the weather is perfect, we take the opportunity for a drone flight. From the air, the beauty of the mountain lake and the surrounding landscape is revealed from a completely different perspective. For us, this moment is among the most beautiful photo and video shots of the entire trip.
The San Bernardino Pass surprises us positively. The combination of winding pass road, impressive nature, and the tranquility at Laghetto Moesola makes this place a real highlight of our tour.
Our conclusion on the San Bernardino Pass
The San Bernardino Pass even exceeded our expectations. We were particularly impressed by Laghetto Moesola and the beautiful mountain landscape. If you are traveling through Switzerland in a motorhome, you should definitely plan this pass – for us, it is one of the most beautiful stops of the entire trip.
The historic Gotthard Pass and the Tremola
Actually, we wanted to visit the Verzasca Valley that day. However, when we arrive in Bellinzona and the thermometer shows 37 °C, it quickly becomes clear: For Dayo, a hike in this heat would be anything but pleasant. That's why we spontaneously decide to adjust our route and drive directly to the historic Gotthard Pass. In retrospect, that was exactly the right decision.
The ascent via the famous Tremola is an experience in itself. The historic pass road with its cobblestones winds its way up the mountain in countless hairpin bends, giving the feeling of a journey into the past. While it rattles and clatters quite a bit in the motorhome, that's precisely what gives this road its special charm.
During the drive, we make frequent short stops to enjoy the impressive view of the surrounding mountain landscape. Unlike some other famous alpine passes, there is surprisingly little traffic here. This allows us to enjoy the drive in peace and soak in the special atmosphere of the Tremola.
After just a few kilometers, it becomes clear to us that the historic Gotthard Pass is something very special. The combination of history, spectacular route, and an impressive mountain backdrop makes this pass an absolute highlight of our entire trip.
Our conclusion on the historic Gotthard Pass
The historic Gotthard Pass and the Tremola are the highlight of our motorhome trip through Switzerland. No other pass road has thrilled us as much. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely choose the historic route – even if the cobblestones require a little more patience. For us, the Tremola is one of the most beautiful roads we have ever driven with a motorhome.
A wonderful night on the Gotthard Pass
For the night, we stay directly on the Gotthard Pass. We find a quiet spot between the mountains and enjoy the special atmosphere at over 2,000 meters above sea level. After some visitors were still around during the day, peace slowly descends in the evening, and we have the impressive landscape almost to ourselves.
The clear mountain air, the surrounding peaks, and the special atmosphere make this evening one of the most beautiful of the entire trip. As the sun slowly disappears behind the mountains, we sit in front of the motorhome for a long time, simply enjoying the moment. It's for experiences like these that we love traveling in a motorhome.
Dayo also feels visibly at home here. After the hot temperatures in Bellinzona, he can finally enjoy the pleasantly cool mountain air again. The next morning, we are even greeted by curious marmots roaming around our overnight spot – a very special experience we hadn't expected at all.
As we leave the Gotthard Pass the next day, we both immediately agree: this place has left a lasting impression on us. Not only the Tremola, but also the overnight stay in the midst of the Swiss mountains make the Gotthard Pass the absolute highlight of this trip for us.
Our Pössl 2Win RS Plus stands amidst the impressive mountain landscape on the historic Gotthard Pass – one of the most beautiful stops on our motorhome trip through Switzerland.
Our conclusion on staying overnight on the Gotthard Pass
We can recommend a night on the Gotthard Pass to anyone who wants to experience the special atmosphere of the Swiss Alps. The peace, the spectacular landscape, and the encounter with the marmots made this overnight stay unforgettable for us. It is precisely these simple moments that make a motorhome trip so special.
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Lake Brienz – Dayo's first SUP adventure
Before heading home for good, we make a stop at Lake Brienz. The turquoise water and the impressive mountain scenery provide the perfect conclusion to our motorhome trip through Switzerland.
Here, a very special experience awaits us: For the first time, we take Dayo with us on the stand-up paddleboard. Of course, we are curious how he will react. But after a short time, it becomes clear that our worries were completely unfounded. Dayo remains astonishingly calm, curiously observes his surroundings, and enjoys the time together on the water.
For us, this moment is very special. Gliding silently together across the crystal-clear Lake Brienz, while the mountains are reflected in the water, is one of the most beautiful memories of the entire trip. It's precisely these experiences that make traveling in a motorhome so unique for us.
After a few relaxing hours at the lake, we finally set off again. Lake Brienz gives our journey a very special conclusion before we slowly leave Switzerland behind.
Dayo experiences his first stand-up paddle adventure on Lake Brienz – an unforgettable moment of our motorhome trip through Switzerland.
Our conclusion on Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz is one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland for us. The crystal-clear water, the fantastic mountain scenery, and Dayo's first SUP adventure made this stop an unforgettable experience. If we are ever in the region again, we will definitely take a break here again.
Last night at the picnic area in Kandern
For our last overnight stay, we choose a picnic area near Kandern (Park4Night #173607) in the Black Forest. After the eventful days in Switzerland, this quiet place is exactly what we need to end the trip relaxed.
The picnic area is free and offers several seating options as well as a fire pit. Although we only spend one night here, we immediately like the quiet location. It's one of those simple places that we particularly appreciate – without much comfort, but in the middle of nature and far from the hustle and bustle.
We use the evening to review the past days. Five alpine passes, impressive landscapes, beautiful pitches, and many shared experiences with Dayo are behind us. Our little trip to Switzerland could hardly have ended better.
Our conclusion on the picnic area in Kandern
The picnic area near Kandern is an ideal stopover for the journey home. If you are looking for a quiet and free overnight stay in the Black Forest, you will find it here. We really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and would definitely stop here again on a future trip.
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Our conclusion on the motorhome trip through Switzerland
Five days, 1,981 kilometers, and five alpine passes are behind us. On this trip too, Switzerland captivated us again with its impressive mountain world, varied pass roads, and many special moments.
Each pass had its own character. The Flüela Pass impressed us with its tranquil atmosphere and beautiful scenery. The San Bernardino Pass is remembered primarily for the Laghetto Moesola and our drone flight. However, our personal favourite was the old Gotthard Pass with the historic Tremola. Although the cobblestones made some things rattle in the motorhome, that's precisely what makes this pass special for us.
We also experienced great differences in our overnight stays. In Vättis, we stayed simply and quietly; in Rona, comfortably at a well-equipped campsite; and near Airolo, finally, all alone amidst the mountains. This solitary overnight stay at the Gotthard Pass was one of the biggest highlights of the trip for us.
Another very special moment was our shared SUP experience with Dayo on Lake Brienz. Initially, he was a little unsure, but soon he was back in the water. For us, this shared experience was at least as valuable as the many impressive views along the way.
The trip also showed us that our way of travelling is changing. After Kirsten's operation, we want to drive fewer kilometres in the future, stay longer in one place, and plan more time for hikes, bike tours, and shared experiences in nature. These five days were very driving-intensive again but also clearly showed us how we want to shape our future travels.
Switzerland will certainly see us again. There are still many passes, lakes, and regions we want to discover with our motorhome. From this trip, we not only remember the impressive landscapes but, above all, the spontaneous decisions and the shared moments with Dayo.
Have you ever travelled through Switzerland in a motorhome? Which Alpine pass inspired you the most or is still on your wish list? Feel free to write to us in the comments – we look forward to hearing about your experiences and tips.
If you prefer to experience our journey in moving pictures, feel free to visit our YouTube channel Wickie On Tour. There, we take you over all five Alpine passes, show you our pitches, and share many other impressions and experiences that are difficult to capture in a blog.
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