There is a particular kind of excitement that settles in the moment you finally roll out of the driveway on day one of a long-planned motorcycle trip, and this Europe roadtrip 2025 was no exception. After weeks of packing lists, route sketches and last-minute checks on the Triumph Scrambler 1200X, the morning had finally arrived. Pratteln was still quiet, the streets slick from an overnight drizzle, and somewhere underneath the pre-departure nerves was the unmistakable feeling that a proper adventure was about to begin.
The plan for the opening leg of this Alpine motorcycle tour was straightforward on paper: head toward Lucerne, pick up the Rickenpass, and let the road carry the bike east into the heart of Graubünden. In reality, of course, no first day on a long-distance ride ever unfolds exactly as imagined, and this one would prove that rule almost immediately.
Leaving Pratteln Behind
Rolling away from home always feels different once the panniers are loaded and the bike sits a little lower on its suspension, weighed down with everything needed for the weeks ahead. The route out of Pratteln toward Lucerne is a familiar one, winding gently through the Swiss countryside before the first real climb of the day, the Rickenpass, comes into view.
Passes like this one are exactly why riding a Scrambler through Switzerland never gets old. The tarmac twists between green hillsides, the air turns cooler with every metre of altitude, and the bike settles into a rhythm that makes the whole reason for choosing two wheels over four immediately obvious. Even under a grey and increasingly moody sky, the Rickenpass delivered that first real taste of the trip: open corners, sweeping views, and the sense of finally being properly on the road.
When the Weather Turns
Motorcycle touring in the Alps always comes with a certain respect for the weather, and today was a reminder of exactly why. As the route dropped back down toward the Zürichsee, the first drops of rain began to fall, lightly at first and then with growing conviction. By the time Walensee came into view, the drizzle had turned into a proper downpour, heavy enough that pushing on without stopping simply wasn’t an option.
A quick pull-off near Weesen turned into the first real stop of the day. Rain gear went on in a hurry, gloves were swapped, and the visor got a wipe-down before continuing east. It’s moments like these that separate a nice Sunday ride from an actual adventure motorcycle trip: the ones where the forecast doesn’t cooperate, the plan has to bend a little, and a good rain suit suddenly becomes the single most valuable piece of gear in the entire luggage setup. Thankfully, that particular box had been ticked well in advance, and a proper rain jacket meant the rest of the ride toward Graubünden stayed manageable rather than miserable.
There’s something almost meditative about riding in steady rain once the initial discomfort passes. The world narrows down to the strip of wet tarmac ahead, the rhythmic tick of drops on the helmet, and the quiet concentration of keeping smooth, predictable inputs on a loaded bike. Not exactly what the postcard version of an Alpine road trip looks like, but an honest and memorable part of it all the same.
Through Landquart Toward Davos
With Walensee and its unexpected shower behind, the route continued through Landquart and on toward Davos. This stretch of the journey marks the shift from the more open, rolling terrain of eastern Switzerland into the steeper, more dramatic landscape that Graubünden is known for. The valleys tighten, the mountains rise more sharply on either side, and the road starts hinting at the high-alpine riding still to come later in the trip.
Davos itself is a familiar name to most travellers, known for winter sports and international summits, but on this rainy afternoon it served a much more practical purpose: it was the gateway to the Vereina car train.
Loading Onto the Vereina Autoverlad
For anyone planning a similar route through this part of Graubünden, the Vereina car train deserves a special mention. Instead of tackling a long detour around the mountains, riders and drivers can load their vehicle onto a train that runs directly through the Vereina tunnel, emerging on the other side near Zernez. It’s an efficient and genuinely enjoyable way to cover ground that would otherwise take considerably longer by road, especially useful when a motorcycle roadtrip through the Swiss Alps needs to make up time lost to weather delays.
Rolling the Scrambler up the ramp and securing it inside the carriage felt like a small milestone in itself, a different kind of travel experience tucked in between two very road-focused days. Sitting inside the train while the tunnel walls rushed past outside offered a welcome break from the rain, a chance to peel off wet gloves for a few minutes and mentally reset before the next stretch of riding.
Emerging on the far side near Zernez, the weather situation had improved just enough to make the onward ride feel promising again. The mountains here already have a different character, more raw and remote, hinting at the alpine passes that define so much of what makes this region a favourite among Alpine motorcycle touring enthusiasts.
Climbing Toward the Ofenpass
From Zernez, the route pointed toward the Ofenpass, also known locally as Pass dal Fuorn, one of the lesser-crowded high alpine roads in this part of Switzerland. Compared to some of the more famous passes in the region, the Ofenpass has a quieter, more contemplative feel to it. Dense pine forests give way to open, rocky terrain as the road climbs, and the sense of being genuinely out in wild, remote country grows with every switchback.
Riding a well-packed adventure-ready Scrambler 1200X through this kind of terrain is exactly the sort of experience that makes Alpine touring on two wheels so rewarding. The bike feels planted through the corners, the torque makes overtaking on the short straights effortless, and the elevated riding position offers an unobstructed view of the valleys unfolding on either side. Even with tired arms and slightly damp gear from the earlier downpour, this stretch of road was a clear highlight of the day.
Crossing Into Italy
One of the small joys of touring in this corner of Europe is how quickly the scenery, language and atmosphere can shift once a border is crossed, often within the space of a single valley. Descending from the Ofenpass onto the Italian side of the border, the landscape opened up toward Livigno, a destination well known among skiers in winter and, as it turns out, an equally appealing stop for a summer motorcycle trip.
By the time the bike rolled to a stop near Lago di Livigno, daylight was beginning to fade, and the rain had finally, mercifully, eased off. The lake itself, framed by steep alpine slopes on both sides, made for a genuinely spectacular first-night camping spot. Setting up a tent after a long, wet riding day always feels like a small triumph, and doing so with a view like this one made every soggy kilometre of the afternoon completely worth it.
Camping by the Lake
There’s a specific satisfaction in pitching camp after a demanding first day, unpacking just enough gear to get comfortable, and finally sitting still after hours in the saddle. With the tent up and the bike parked nearby, the evening settled into a quiet, well-earned calm. The Gore-Tex boots came off, damp gear got hung to dry wherever space allowed, and the sound of the lake lapping gently against the shore replaced the hum of the engine.
Looking back at the ride from Pratteln to this exact spot beside Lago di Livigno, it’s clear that day one delivered pretty much everything a proper motorcycle adventure trip should: a scenic mountain pass, an unexpected weather challenge, a genuinely unique car-train crossing through the Vereina tunnel, a stunning high-alpine pass on the Ofenpass, and a first night camping in a completely different country from where the day began.
Lessons From Day One
Every long-distance ride teaches its own set of lessons, and this first day was no exception. The most obvious one: never underestimate an Alpine weather forecast, no matter how promising the morning looks. Rain in the mountains can arrive fast and stay stubborn, and having proper waterproof gear packed and easily accessible made the difference between an unpleasant slog and a manageable, even enjoyable, ride through the wet.
The second lesson is more about pacing. Options like the Vereina car train are a great reminder that a good Alpine motorcycle route doesn’t always have to mean grinding out every single kilometre on tarmac. Sometimes the smartest and most memorable way to cover ground is to embrace a different mode of travel altogether, especially when it opens up a shortcut through terrain that would otherwise cost hours of extra riding.
Looking Ahead
With day one complete and camp set up beside the still waters of Lago di Livigno, the trip finally feels like it’s properly underway. The Triumph Scrambler 1200X handled everything the day threw at it without complaint, from wet Swiss backroads to the winding climbs of the Ofenpass, proving once again why it remains such a capable companion for this kind of long-distance Alpine adventure.
Tomorrow brings a fresh route deeper into new territory, hopefully with a little more sunshine and a little less rain gear required. For now, though, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy the view across the lake, dry out the boots, and get some rest before the next leg of this Europe roadtrip begins.