Alps & Tyrol 2026: The Journey Home Through Switzerland, the Vosges & Belgium – Days 8–10
The final few days of our Alps and Tyrol motorcycle tour were all about making our way back towards the Channel Tunnel, but there were still plenty of fantastic roads, spectacular scenery and unexpected weather to enjoy along the way.
After the high Alpine passes of the previous few days, we still had some serious mileage to cover before heading home.
Day 8 – 289km
Through Switzerland Without the Motorways
Day 8 was essentially a transit day through Switzerland, but that doesn't mean we were going to make it boring.
There were no motorways today, so we could enjoy the scenery and take our time as we made our way across the country.
After climbing the Grimsel Pass, we stopped for a quick photo at the Grimsel Hospice Hotel, surrounded by the dramatic Alpine landscape.
From there, it was a steady run through the Swiss lakes and past Lucerne, before eventually slipping back into Germany.
The scenery continued to impress as we made our way north and west, eventually crossing back towards France.
By the end of the day, we'd reached the Vosges, on the French side of the Rhine, where we'd be staying at a lovely vineyard hotel by the lake.
After another 289km, it was time to settle in and enjoy our surroundings.
Day 9 – 350km
Sunshine, Mountains and a Sudden Fog
What a glorious morning!
We awoke to the ducks quacking on the lake and streaming sunshine. It looked like we'd been handed another perfect day of European motorcycle touring.
We headed up into the Vosges Mountains in glorious dry weather, enjoying the winding roads and beautiful scenery.
Then, almost without warning, everything changed.
We hit low cloud.
Thick fog enveloped us and the weather turned in an instant. Rather than blindly push on, we decided on a quick detour down towards Munster, allowing us to bypass the incoming storm clouds.
Changing the Route
A change in routing is essential on a trip like this.
Mountain weather can change incredibly quickly, and sometimes the best decision is simply to change direction and find better conditions.
It meant lunch came earlier than planned, but there was a bonus.
I discovered some new roads I hadn't been on before.
Excellent!
That's one of the great things about leading motorcycle tours through Europe. Even after riding these regions before, there's always another road, another village or another route waiting to be discovered.
After lunch at St Die, we took the winding roads north through the Northern Vosges, eventually making our way towards the Principality of Luxembourg.
Pizza and a Night in Luxembourg
Our accommodation for tonight is above a trusty Italian restaurant.
So, of course...
Pizza was on order!
After another 350km, a decent meal and a few drinks were exactly what was required.
The end of the tour was now getting closer, and tomorrow we'd begin the final run home.
We'd be heading towards the Channel Tunnel and saying goodbye to the people we'd spent the last ten days riding with.
Day 10 – The Final Ride Home
The final day of our Alps and Tyrol 2026 motorcycle adventure had arrived.
Today was a relatively straightforward run north through the French and Belgian countryside, but there was still time for one final stop along the way.
Bastogne and a Few Tanks
We stopped at Bastogne to see some tanks before continuing towards the Channel Tunnel.
It's always good to squeeze in a little history during a European motorcycle tour, and Bastogne was a fitting final stop before turning towards the coast.
Then it was back on the bikes for the final run to the Channel Tunnel.
The End of Another European Motorcycle Adventure
And then, suddenly, it was time for the goodbyes.
Ten days earlier we'd set off with a group of riders, some familiar faces and some people we'd never ridden with before.
Now we'd ridden thousands of kilometres through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg, tackled some of the greatest mountain roads in Europe and shared plenty of laughs along the way.
There were high Alpine passes, lakes, castles, sunshine, torrential rain, fog, hairpin incidents, pizza, beer and — perhaps most importantly — some ridiculous banter.
It's been a fantastic few days riding, making new friends and creating memories that will hopefully last long after the bikes have been put back in the garage.
Hopefully, I'll see them all again soon.
Want to Join the Next Adventure?
Ten days, thousands of kilometres, some of Europe’s best motorcycle roads, plenty of laughs and a few stories that probably shouldn’t be repeated!
If you fancy joining the next adventure, TravelDude offers guided group motorbike tours across Europe and beyond, combining great riding, stunning scenery, fantastic accommodation and, most importantly, good company and plenty of banter.
Fancy being part of the next one?
Check out www.traveldude.co.uk and see where we're riding next.
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