Fahren Unter Corona Conditionen 2020.
In the midst of global lockdowns, the roads lay empty, the world unusually still. For months, the roar of engines was replaced by silence, and the only journeys made were within the confines of home. But as restrictions finally eased, an opportunity arose—a chance to reclaim the open road. With borders reopening and a cautious sense of freedom returning, we seized the moment.
The plan was simple: drive. With a route carefully charted, we set off as soon as conditions allowed, eager to escape the stagnation of lockdown life. This was not just a road trip; it was a celebration of movement, of mechanical harmony, and of the friendships forged through shared miles.
Day 1: Reclaiming the Road
The journey began at the BP tankstation De Kroon along the A27, where the group gathered for introductions, a briefing, and the final checks—coffee, breakfast, oil levels, and sunscreen. With the convoy prepped and anticipation high, the engines roared to life, and the adventure officially began.
Heading southeast, the route flowed through ’s-Hertogenbosch, Beek en Donk, and Venlo, before crossing into Germany and making the first stop at Leutherstrasse 38, Nettetal. Here, the group refueled, cleaned windows, grabbed another coffee, and reapplied sunscreen before pressing onward.
The first real stretch of Autobahn brought the first taste of unrestricted speed—a high-speed cruise, where the cars stretched their legs and covered ground with effortless ease. The thrill of acceleration, the roar of the engines, and the occasional blur of passing traffic set the tone for the day. The journey continued towards Frankfurt, where a short stop at Klassikstadt at Orber Strasse 4a, a haven for classic and exotic cars, offering a glimpse into automotive history. allowed for a quick break and a bite to eat.
Refreshed and ready, the group set course for the Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald, a treetop walkway in Bad Wildbad. The road leading there, via Darmstadt, Karlsruhe, and Pforzheim, was a perfect blend of fast autobahn sections and scenic winding routes, offering a glimpse of the landscapes that lay ahead.
With the afternoon progressing, the final leg of the journey wound through Enzklösterle, Seewald, Huzenbach, Baiersbronn, Mitteltal, and Allerheiligen, before arriving in Lautenbach. The final destination was Hotel zum Kreuz, where a well-earned evening of schnitzels and beer awaited. The first leg of the journey had delivered exactly what it promised—high-speed sprints, technical twists, and the sheer joy of the open road. With engines cooling and glasses raised, the group looked ahead to what awaited tomorrow. The mountains were calling.
Day 2: Into the Alps
The morning light revealed a crisp Black Forest landscape as engines roared to life once more. Leaving Lautenbach behind, the convoy traced its way through winding forest roads, the damp tarmac adding an extra layer of challenge to the morning’s drive. The Schwarzwald Hochstraße bid farewell with a final series of tight corners before opening up onto the first fast stretches of the day.
The day began with a final check—phones, chargers, batteries, GoPros, route books, and talkie-walkies in hand. With everything accounted for, the group set off toward the first challenge of the day: Schauinsland, the legendary old hill climb circuit. The route there took the convoy through Bad-Peterstal, Schapbach, Oberwolfach, Lauterbach, Tennenbronn, and Sankt Märgen, offering stunning backroad driving before arriving at the historic tarmac of Schauinsland. A brief pause allowed the group to soak in the significance of the road and its motorsport heritage before continuing the journey.
The group’s first significant stop brought them to the legendary Silvretta High Alpine Road, a ribbon of tarmac draped across towering peaks. Hairpins stacked upon hairpins, each demanding precision and commitment. The ascent was pure theatre—engines echoing off the valley walls, tyres gripping desperately as the climb continued. At the summit, the landscape stretched endlessly in all directions, a reward for the effort below.
Descending, the drive turned into a fluid dance, the road flowing in perfect harmony with the mountains. The crisp Alpine air carried the scent of pine and petrol, a heady mix that fuelled the spirit of the journey. The final stretch of the day’s drive led deeper into Austria, following parts of the stunning Arlberg Pass, but not before taking a scenic route through Todtmoos, Sankt Blasien (where the group paused to admire the historic monastery), Singen, Konstanz (crossing via ferry), Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, Lindau, Bregenz, Bersbuch, and Dam.
The day’s journey concluded at Gasthof Löwen (47.23678, 9.89572), a quiet mountain retreat where cars and drivers alike could cool down. As the evening set in, reflections on the day’s drive filled the air, alongside the clinking of glasses. The Alps had welcomed the convoy in the best way possible: with unforgettable roads, a perfect drive, and the promise of more to come.
Day 3: Deep into Switzerland
Morning broke over the Austrian Alps, and with it, the sound of engines waking up the valley. Leaving Gasthof Löwen behind, the convoy set off into the cool mountain air, eager for another day of perfect tarmac. Today, there would be no time for lunch breaks—the entire schedule was dedicated to chasing mountain passes and carving through Switzerland’s finest roads. With a final check of rain jackets and cameras, the group departed, ready for an intense driving day.
The route led westward, crossing into Switzerland, where the roads instantly transformed into an engineering marvel—silky smooth, perfectly banked, and framed by towering peaks. The convoy passed through Thüringen, Vaduz, Mels, and Netstal, each town a brief blur as the focus remained on the ribbon of tarmac ahead.
The Pragelpass provided the first real challenge of the day—a narrow and demanding route that tested both driver skill and patience. Then came the Sustenpass, a dramatic ascent flanked by glaciers and waterfalls, followed closely by the Brünigpass, offering sweeping curves and panoramic vistas.
The journey continued over Glaubenbühlenpass and Glaubenbergpass, their less-travelled routes providing a raw and unfiltered Alpine experience. The convoy pressed on through Giswil before making a return over the Brünigpass, setting the stage for the final stretch of legendary roads.
The last major segment took the group over the Grimsel Pass, a stunning high-altitude route lined with reservoirs and jagged peaks, before climbing to the grand finale—the Furka Pass. A stop at the iconic Hotel Restaurant Belvedere allowed for a moment of reflection, and a visit to the Rhone Glacier, where the group’s rain jackets proved useful in the misty, icy air. Here, the group explored the Glacier Cave, a surreal, ice-blue tunnel carved into the ancient ice, a must-see highlight of the trip.
As the day wound down, the convoy made its way to Hotel Tiefenbach, perched at the edge of the Furka Pass, where stories of the day’s drive were shared over dinner. The roads had delivered yet again, weaving another chapter in an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Alps.
Day 4: More mountain passes
Dawn broke over Hotel Tiefenbach, the crisp Alpine air carrying the scent of mountain pine as engines fired up for another day of adventure. The convoy rolled out onto the Furka Pass, retracing its legendary curves in the early morning light. The road, made famous by its dramatic switchbacks and cinematic history, was a fitting way to start the day—its raw beauty and technical demands never failing to deliver.
From there, the route took the group on an unforgettable journey through some of the most renowned Alpine passes. The Tremola Passstraße and Gotthard Pass provided a historic and thrilling drive, their cobbled switchbacks offering a raw connection to the past. Passing through Airolo, the journey continued toward the breathtaking San Bernardino Pass, its smooth tarmac and scenic hairpins delivering a perfect blend of pace and beauty.
Next came the Splügen Pass, a masterpiece of tight, twisting hairpins descending into Chiavenna, marking the brief dip into Italy. Climbing back into Switzerland, the convoy tackled the Maloja Pass, its sweeping curves guiding them toward the elegance of Sankt Moritz. The legendary Albula Pass came next, a road already familiar from the previous day but no less exhilarating the second time around.
The drive pressed on through Parpan and down toward Landquart, before crossing into Balzers, Liechtenstein. The final leg wound through Zwischenwasser, climbing the Furxstraße towards a place of historical significance—Hotel Peterhof. As the last guests to stay there before its demolition, the group shared a moment in history. Today, in its place, stands the stunning new Hotel Peterhof Furx, offering breathtaking Alpine views that remain as unforgettable as the roads leading there.
As the sun dipped below the peaks, the day’s journey ended with reflections on the road, the passage of time, and the beauty of the ever-changing landscape. Though the original Peterhof was gone, the memories made there—and on the roads that led to it—would remain forever.
Day 5: The Home Stretch
The morning began with a farewell to the Austrian Alps, as the convoy departed Hotel Peterhof and set off toward the day’s first challenge—the Furkajoch. This lesser-known gem offered tight switchbacks and stunning mountain vistas, a perfect warm-up for the day’s drive. The descent led into Damüls, a picturesque alpine village, before winding through the valleys toward Andelsbuch and Oberreutte.
From here, the Autobahn called, a final opportunity to stretch the legs of the machines before the first major stop of the day—Motorworld Böblingen. Nestled in Graf Zeppelinplatz, this automotive haven provided a brief but memorable break to admire an array of historic and exotic cars.
The journey continued toward Solitude, where a detour led the group onto the legendary Solitude Rennstrecke. This forgotten racetrack, once hosting thrilling motorsport battles, became the perfect location for a quick lap and an unforgettable Glemseck photo moment.
Next on the itinerary was Motorworld Köln, a petrolhead’s paradise in Butzweilerstraße, offering another chance to marvel at iconic cars. With time slipping away, the final leg of the journey led northward, making a crucial fuel stop at the same location where the adventure had begun—an opportunity to reflect on five days of pure driving bliss.
With tanks full and the engines cooling, the journey was officially over. But as every road trip proves, the best roads never truly end. They simply wait for the next adventure to begin.
