How to do a 2 Week Alps Road Trip from the UK [2024]

Heading out on a Europe road trip from the UK to the Alps is what many campervan owners dream of. If you have 2 weeks, this guide will provide you with Alps road trip ideas that cover breathtaking alpine landscapes, charming villages, and incredible outdoor activities.

From the starting point in the UK, you’ll head to Calais and then be able to pick from stunning routes through France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, experiencing the incredible beauty of the Alps up close. These itineraries ensures you make the most of your Alps road trip with the time that you have. 

Getting to Europe

Your European Alps road trip begins by crossing the English Channel. You can pick from the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais or take a ferry from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk. We personally like Le Shuttle as it is much easier with a pet. We usually like to get to Le Shuttle early in the morning so we have a full day ahead of us.

2 Week French Alps Road Trip

Annecy - Montriond - Passy - Chamonix

We did this exact French Alps road trip route in 2 weeks and it's an ideal amount of time, you get to experience true relaxation on the shores of Lake Annecy and complete mountain adventure in Chamonix, it's the perfect mix. 

Annecy

Start by spending a few days in Annecy. Explore the enchanting Old Town with its cobbled streets and pastel-coloured houses. Enjoy a swim or a leisurely boat ride on Lake Annecy and take in the stunning mountainous surroundings. Explore the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, a fairytale-like castle overlooking the lake. It's especially beautiful at night because you can see all the lights below. 

Possibly our favourite thing to do around Annecy was getting up into the mountains, from Semnoz you can see all the way over to Mont Blanc as well as stunning views over Lake Annecy.

Annecy to Montriond (Distance: 70 km / 44 miles)

Montriond and Morzine are best known as skiing resorts in the winter but they are still beautiful places to visit in the summer. Explore the charming villages, and indulge in some French culinary delicacies aka pastries and baguettes.

Visit Lac de Montriond, a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for swimming, kayaking, or lounging on the grassy showers. Explore the nearby Cascade d'Ardent, a stunning waterfall that is possible to walk to from Lac de Montriond. 

Montriond to Passy (Distance: 60 km / 37 miles)

Drive to Passy, located at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif is perfect to get you excited to reach Mont Blanc. Visit the Plateau d'Assy, offering panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range. Explore the stunning Lac Vert, known for its emerald green waters that offer incredible reflections in the morning before the light hits. 

Passy to Chamonix (Distance: 20 km / 12 miles)

Chamonix, is a world-renowned mountain resort town, also known as Chamonix-Mont Blanc. It is the ultimate destination in the Alps due to being the home of Mont Blanc. Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car for unbeatable views of Mont Blanc, the closest you can get without hiking.

Explore the Mer de Glace, France's largest glacier, accessible by the Montenvers Railway. A jaw-dropping place to visit that really hits home the effects of global warming. Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, or paragliding in the stunning alpine scenery. There are tons of hiking trails to pick from including the multi-day Tour du Mont Blanc. 

After exploring Chamonix, make your way back to Calais. If you want to break up the driving a bit you can spend another day at Annecy relaxing around the lake. Check out our more detailed French road trip itinerary in this blog.

2 Week Swiss Alps Road Trip

Switzerland is an ideal country for a 2 week Alps road trip because of it's small size which means you can cover a lot of ground in what is quite a short amount of time. Switzerland is 70% mountainous so don't worry you will have plenty of time surrounded by alpine beauty. 

Zurich - Stoos - Interlaken - Oeschinen

Zurich

Start this road trip in Zurich, Switzerland's financial capital, an amazing blend of luxury and history. Wander around the Old Town (Altstadt), with its narrow winding streets it's the perfect place to enjoy quaint coffees and independent shops.

You have to walk down the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world's most exclusive shopping avenues, with line after line of expensive shops. One of our favourite places was Lake Zurich, on a summer's day there were so many people relaxing on the shores and the lakeside parks, it gave such a nice atmosphere. 

Zurich to Stoos (44 miles / 71 km)

The picturesque village of Stoos, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a must. This car-free mountain village is accessible via the steepest funicular railway in the world, offering breathtaking views of the turquoise river and mountains as you ascend. Hike the Fronalpstock to Klingenstock ridge for panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. 

Stoos to Interlaken (68 miles / 110 km)

Continue your journey to Interlaken, which literally translates to between two towns. Situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, it’s the perfect place to base yourself and explore Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen too. 

Lauterbrunnen is a fairytale town that is known for its valley of 72 waterfalls. With steep cliffs on either side of the valley and plummeting waterfalls, it is simply magical to visit. 

Grindelwald is the home of Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe," and has spectacular views of the Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding peaks. If you’re all about doing this bucket list tourist activities, this is the palace to go on your Alps road trip. 

Interlaken to Oeschinen (68 miles / 110 km)

Oeschinen, located near Kandersteg, is one of the most popular places in Switzerland especially on social media. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland. Enjoy hiking around the lake, renting a rowboat, or simply relaxing by the water's edge. 

From Oeschinen lake, this Alps road trip comes to an end, so make your way back to Calais. If you want to break up the drive a little bit you could stop at Bern, Switzerland’s capital city or even Colmar or Strasbourg in France if you want a taste of half-timbered houses and pastel-coloured houses. 

2 Week Italian Alps Road Trip

If you love hiking and mountains then you're going to want to spend 2 weeks doing an Italian Alps road trip. Honestly, you will probably feel like you could spend more time here but this route will give you a great taste of what the Dolomites has to offer. 

Bolzano - Ortisei - Cortina D’Ampezzo - Auronzo - Lago di Braies

Bolzano to Ortisei (23 miles / 37 km)

Start your Italian Alps road trip in Bolzano, nestled in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy. Personally, we didn't choose to explore here because we were so excited to get to the mountains. However, Bolzano is known for its unique mix of Italian and Austrian cultures, so be sure to explore if you are in the mood to delve into architecture, cuisine and history. A fun fact is that Ötzi the Iceman is located in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology!

Leaving Bolzano behind, drive to Ortisei, a picturesque little town in the heart of the Dolomites. On the way here you are likely to drive the Sella Pass which gives simply stunning views of Sasso Lungo. Once in Ortisei, this is a great base for some iconic hikes in the Dolomites, such as Seceda. The town itself has a nice atmosphere and you will definitely find some delicious Italian culinary delights here, the perfect reward after a hike. 

Ortisei to Cortina D’Ampezzo (44 miles / 71 km)

From Ortisei, continue deeper into the Dolomites to Cortina D’Ampezzo, one of Italy’s most famous ski resorts in the winter and a hub for hikers in the summer. Cortina is home to some high-end shops, gourmet restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife, but if that’s not your scene don’t worry because it is a paradise for hikes too.

Starting from Cortina, it’s only a short drive to one of the most beautiful hikes in the Dolomites, Lago Sorapis. If you decide to do this hike, make sure you set off early because it can get very busy.

Cortina D’Ampezzo to Auronzo (28 miles / 45 km)

Auronzo, is a small town known for its beautiful lakes and mountainous surroundings. Auronzo sits on the shores of Lake Misurina and Lake Santa Caterina, offering the perfect place to relax after some days spent hiking. But, if you’re seeking adventure, don’t worry Tre Cime di Lavaredo, one of the most iconic hikes in the Dolomites is close by! A useful tip if you’re on a budget you can walk from Lake Antorno to avoid paying the toll road, but it will add some extra elevation. 

Auronzo to Lago di Braies (35 miles / 56 km)

Lastly, drive to Lago di Braies, one of the most photographed lakes in the Dolomites. The emerald-green waters of the lake are surrounded by towering peaks and lush forests, and people take to rowing boats to explore the lake by water, creating a postcard-perfect scene. Spend your time here hiking around the lake, renting a rowboat to explore the waters, or simply relaxing by the shore and soak up the breathtaking views.

From here, it’s time to make your way back to Calais. The Italian Dolomites is one of our favourite destinations in the Alps for a road trip. It’s perfect, due to its compact size and endless hiking trails for exploration. 

2 Week Austrian Alps Road Trip

Austria was never somewhere at the top of our bucket list before we spent 2 weeks on a road trip there but boy, should it be on everyone's travel list. It is simply stunning, the lakes in Austria even rival Switzerland's pristine lakes. 

Innsbruck - Achensee - Salzkammergut - Krimml Falls 

Innsbruck to Achensee (28 miles / 45 km)

Begin this Austrian Alps road trip in Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck is an absolutely stunning place with a colourful town and a mountain background.

Spend some time exploring the city's historic center, where you can visit the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), and the impressive Court Church (Hofkirche). If you want to head into the mountains, take a cable car ride up to the Nordkette mountain range for stunning panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps.

From Innsbruck, drive to Achensee, also known as the "Tyrolean Sea". This is one of our favourite lakes we’ve ever visited. It helped that we were there in a heatwave, but it was simply stunning with crystal-clear waters and incredible surrounding mountains. Spend some time swimming in the pristine lake and relaxing on the shores. If you enjoy sailing and windsurfing it’s the perfect place to enjoy that and there are some incredible mountains surrounding the lake, as you can see in our photos.

Achensee to Salzkammergut (94 miles / 151 km)

Continue your journey to the enchanting Salzkammergut region for more beautiful lakes and charming villages. Home to the so-called, most beautiful village in Europe, Hallstatt. Personally, while we thought it was beautiful, it was also very busy so make sure to visit early or out of season to get it in its true fairytale charm.

There are numerous lakes in this area, each one as beautiful as the next, such as Mondsee, Atterrsee, Gosau, Hallstatsee and Alltausee so get out and explore and find your favourite corner of the Salzkammergut region. 

Salzkammergut to Krimml Falls (74 miles / 119 km)

The last place on the Austian Alps road trip is Krimml Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. Krimml Falls is located in the Hohe Tauern National Park, offering a spectacular natural spectacle with three cascading tiers totaling a drop of 380 meters. This is a must-visit waterfall and one of our favourites in the Alps, it only costs €5 to enter so it’s very affordable too. At the bottom you can stand right in the spray of the waterfall and it is so invigorating, it really makes you feel alive and appreciate nature. 

From Krimml, make your way back to Calais. If you want to extend your Alps road trip a bit you can make some stops in Germany, for example visiting Munich, the capital of Bavaria. 

Alps road trip ideas

We hope that provides lots of inspiration for your own 2 week Alps road trip. From the UK it's a pretty easy part of Europe to visit and you can explore so many incredible landscapes in a short amount of time.

If you are planning a longer trip or you would like more detail, specific locations, parking, overnight spots, you can find all of this in our Ultimate Alps Road Trip Guide, the perfect resource for planning a road trip in the Alps with a downloadable map and PDF eBook.