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andermatt and approach italy from that side
If you choose to go through the Swiss Rhone valley and cross to Italy, I would take the Nufenen pass, the descent into Airolo is one of the best I have done ever.
Simplon pass is shitty, lots of traffic including trucks. If you decide to go Furka from the Oberwald side and descend to Realp, be aware as that is the "shitty side" :)
LeMesjeu-
Also from Andermatt is the Gottard Pass - old Tremola Road is an absolute stunner & cobbled most of the way! Probably best enjoyed towards Andermatt though (cobbled descent less fun).
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Agreed. Have a spot for albula, but thats only the way up to st-moritz/Silvaplana, which btw is a great and famous place to camp, to witness the kitesurfing action.
Sinplon is a roadie pass, to cross fast from Leman through Valais, ie large roads and smooth gradients, especially italian side. but its functionnal, as described below, and not the most enjoyable.
St-bernard is a bit better in this genre, with the added bonus of the monastery. -
Simplon pass is shitty, lots of traffic including trucks.
You used to be able to use the old road for 2/3 of the ascent. Which was great as there was virtually zero traffic. I don't know if it's still usable though.
The descent down into Italy is outstanding, great surface and good sight lines so you can really commit to it and it's very fast.
GideonPARANOID
Glws
andyp
The quality and number of cycle path and cycle friendly routes has increased dramatically. I think the Osmap layer in ridewithgps has them all, from local authority to wider networks (eurovelos).
Morvan is full of lakes, vosges are great, jura is amazing to catch a view of the alps before going there, also full of swimming lakes. But one could also cross more north, cycle from basel to zurich to liechtenstein, go up towards st-moritz or andermatt and approach italy from that side, where there is not so much of the heavy duty traffic found in the western passes.
Anyway @samrensho hit me up if you feel like it