From Lake Constance to Lake Garda: our road trip across the Alps
What remains of a week-long road trip once you've forgotten the mileage? For us, it was five hosts, one campervan, and stories we won't forget anytime soon. We drove from the mountains of Montafon all the way to the vineyards of Valpolicella. At one point, we almost couldn't go any further. Find out how that happened and what else we experienced along the way right here.
Five camps, five very different worlds – and you can book all of them directly on Nomady and retrace our journey stage by stage. Let yourself drift. We did too.
Our home on wheels
Before the journey really begins, a quick word about our trusty companion: for this route, our partner Malibu provided us with the Malibu Van relax. Maximum comfort and a spacious feel, yet compact enough for tight hairpin bends and narrow tunnels. Perfect for feeling right at home after a long day. On a route with narrow mountain passes and a memorably tight tunnel passage, that was worth its weight in gold.
The van quickly becomes a familiar haven: set up the camping chairs, pour a glass of local wine, and soak in the evening sun.
Day 1: Above 1,000 metres in Montafon
We've barely set off when the first adventure catches up with us. A storm sweeps across the motorway, forcing all vehicles to a crawl; branches lie across the road and torrential rain limits visibility. A short while later, the skies clear again and the sun shines innocently, as if the weather gods hadn't just shown us what they're capable of. When we reach the Latangerhüsli at 1,020 metres, we know immediately: the drive was well worth it. The valley lies at our feet, framed by mountains. We look straight at Zimba and Saulakopf, two of the region's most striking peaks. Behind the hut, a small forest path is waiting to be explored.
While we are still setting up, host Michael welcomes us with a homemade schnapps from a friend in Dornbirn, diluted with water from the stream next door. After the greeting, we sit together late into the evening and exchange stories about Nomady. Michael had the idea for his own pitch years ago. Since then, he has kept expanding it. Now there is even a bathroom and a small herb garden, where you're welcome to help yourself with Michael's permission.
Michael is a passionate tandem paragliding pilot with around 3,800 jumps under his belt. The very next morning, we get to witness his passion firsthand as he suddenly glides right over our heads.
Our tip: Lake Schwarzsee makes a fantastic day hike from the camp. The Silvretta High Alpine Road with its 34 hairpin bends is ideal for a morning excursion before moving on.
Day 2: In the apple orchard in South Tyrol
We drive straight into a heatwave. We make a stop at Lake Reschen with its church tower standing half submerged in the water. On the shore, we dare to take a dip in the chilly 14-degree water. The closer we get to Merano and Bolzano, the denser the apple orchards become. At Stettnerhof, host Lukas is already sitting outside the farm shop with guests, enjoying a Hugo.
The Apfelwiese pitch is located on a fruit and wine farm that has been owned by the Kofler family for generations. Lukas orders pizza for us over the phone in Italian and then treats us to a wine tasting: a white, a sweeter Muskateller, and a red that is traditionally served here with a hearty snack. He is especially proud of his farm-made apple cider vinegar and apple balsamic vinegar – both of which are frequently praised in the pitch's reviews.
Then he shows us the cellar. It was blasted into the rock because the stone is ideal for storing wine and smoking speck. We let the evening draw to a close under the South Tyrolean starry sky. For those who want to explore during the day, Lukas warmly recommends the Brandis Waalweg trail through the apple orchards to the Lana waterfall – or the Merano mountain cable car, which takes you up to 2,000 metres in seven minutes.
Day 3: In a vintage car through Valpolicella
Through a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany – poplars, small villages, colourful houses – an avenue lined with vines leads to the winery. The natural stone main house is bigger than we expected; Malvina's grandfather gathered the stones for the wine cellar from old ruins in the surrounding area. Malvina herself studied in Brittany, returned unexpectedly during the pandemic, and took over her parents' winery at the age of 34. At first, she lived in her own campervan on the property – which, she laughs, is also how she came up with the idea of joining Nomady.
For the wine tasting, there is cheese and salami, accompanied by a chilled Valpolicella Classico and an Amarone. But Malvina loves talking most about her Ripasso, which she affectionately calls her Robin Hood wine. In the past, she explains, people simply used the dried Amarone grapes a second time and re-used them for basic wine out of sheer necessity. Anyone who couldn't afford real Amarone felt a little nobler for at least one evening with this trick.
The next morning, Malvina takes us for a spin in her vintage Fiat, her personal pride and joy, cruising past villages and up to a viewpoint overlooking the countryside and the winery. During the day, you mainly hear one thing: the cicadas, buzzing so loud they practically blend into the scenery. Our tip for anyone wanting to explore further: Lake Garda is only a few minutes' drive away for a refreshing swim, and if you're looking for culture, Verona is a good half-hour away by bus – perfect for an evening summer opera at the Arena.
Day 4: Like stepping into a painting at Lake Maggiore
Via small villages and narrow lanes, we reach Lake Maggiore in the evening. Simone and Nina aren't there, but they've left us a video message (and the spot speaks for itself anyway). It's called "Painting Lake View" because painters once came here to capture the cloud formations above the mountains. Horses graze beside the property, fireflies glow in the evening, and the two farm dogs, Claudio and Pipa, welcome us as if we're already part of the family.
Nina grew up in the region and took riding lessons on this very farm as a child; today, she teaches here herself. The two of them want to show children where food comes from – homegrown vegetables, eggs from their own chickens. The large tree on the property was once planted by the town's founder and still provides shade, shelter from the wind, and a welcoming spot for everyone.
When asked about the perfect morning, the answer comes without hesitation: wake up to the sunrise, coffee, breakfast, then a swim in the lake, and end the evening with a cold drink. Simone has even created a Google Map for his guests with all the local highlights. First-time visitors should head to the panoramic mountain, which offers views of all seven lakes in the region and the islands off Stresa. The pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso and the Maggia Valley with its swimming spots are also well worth a visit.
Day 5: To the historic settlement in Calfeisental
The final stage tests our nerves once more. A height restriction of 2.60 metres (our van measures 2.59 m). We edge our way across a dam with single-lane traffic and through tunnels carved into the rock. Just in case, we even packed a tent. Then, at the end of the tunnel, the valley opens up before us and all the tension disappears.
Late in the evening, a path lit with fairy lights leads past wooden saunas and a small swimming pond with a water wheel to the five cottages of the Walser settlement of Sankt Martin. The historic solid-wood houses are preserved in their original state on the outside and lovingly restored inside. We feel like we've stepped into the Hobbit world of Lord of the Rings. The host welcomes us with a cold drink and peanuts on the terrace of the small mountain inn.
In the morning, a breakfast buffet with local cheese and wood-fired sourdough bread awaits us. Afterwards, the host gives us a tour of the settlement – all the way to the heritage association's small cinema showing a film about the village's history. The roughly 700-year-old settlement is situated by the Gigerwald reservoir in the middle of the Sardona Tectonic Arena, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the same valley, we're told, stands the thickest spruce tree in Europe.
Back to everyday life
In the end, it's not the kilometres that stay with you, but the encounters. Michael and his tandem flights, Lukas and his rock cellar, Malvina and her Robin Hood wine, Simone and Nina with their animals, and the peaceful Walser settlement beyond the tunnels. Five hosts who let us become part of their world for a few hours. That is the real souvenir of this trip.
The best part: you don't have to drive the whole route. Pick out a single stage or string all five together – each camp can be booked individually on Nomady. And if you like, with the right campervan to match.
Our travel partner on the road
This trip was created in partnership with Malibu, part of the Carthago family. Malibu builds campervans that match our idea of travel: close to nature, uncomplicated, and made for long journeys. From the compact Van Relax to the First Class models, you'll find the perfect home on wheels for any route.
We were on the road for about a week and drove five stages, covering roughly 470 kilometres across three countries. If you want to take more time for the mountain passes, the hosts, and individual regions, you should definitely plan in some extra time. Individual sections also make great long-weekend trips. The route is ideal for your annual holiday or a big summer road trip.
The route starts in Vorarlberg, Austria, leads over the Reschen Pass into South Tyrol, and continues to Valpolicella near Verona in Italy. The return journey takes you past Lake Maggiore in Ticino and ends in Calfeisental in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The southernmost point lies in the vineyards near Lake Garda. Our starting point was Lake Constance.
We travelled in midsummer, experiencing very high temperatures in the south. Thanks to the air conditioning in the Malibu campervan, this wasn't much of an issue while driving. Despite the heatwave, we enjoyed pleasant temperatures in Montafon, at Lake Maggiore, and in Switzerland. Early summer or early autumn are even more pleasant. In September and October, Valpolicella is especially charming during the grape harvest, and the alpine passes remain easily passable. Between November and May, some mountain passes may be closed. Despite peak tourist season, private host pitches allowed us to enjoy the most popular summer destinations in complete peace.
The access road to the camp in Montafon leads along a narrower mountain road and is limited to vehicles up to 6.5 metres in length. The pitch itself is designed for up to three campers and doesn't offer much room to turn around. In Calfeisental, there is a height restriction of 2.60 metres due to three narrow rock tunnels. Our Malibu van, at 2.59 metres, just squeezed through. If you're travelling in a larger vehicle, you should check these two stages in advance or choose alternative routes.
We drove the Malibu Van relax, provided by our partner Malibu. It is compact enough for tight hairpin bends and narrow tunnels, yet offers plenty of storage space and room for everything you need on a camping trip. This includes a kitchen, shower, toilet, and a spacious sleeping area. For alpine routes, Malibu also offers the Van first class-two rooms and the Van comfort.
Besides standard gear, it's especially worth packing clothing for wide temperature swings, as temperatures can easily differ by 15 degrees between 1,020 metres in Montafon and the vineyards of Valpolicella. Swimwear comes in handy beyond the lakes too, for example at Lake Reschen or the swimming pond in Calfeisental. Eco-friendly soap, your own camping chairs, and plenty of drinking water for longer stages are also essentials.
Yes. All five pitches on this route are Nomady camps and can be booked individually via the linked camp pages. You don't have to drive the whole route – you can simply pick out a single stage. The camps are also perfect for micro-adventures and weekend getaways.
Nomady connects you with private hosts who offer space for individual campers on their own land – often on farms, vineyards, or secluded spots in nature. Instead of pitches lined up in neat rows, there is usually only one vehicle or a small group per site. We also offer tiny houses, yurts, cabins, treehouses, and more. With us, you'll find your own private spot in nature, whether with a campervan or a tent.
Yes, all camps along this route are booked in advance via Nomady. With some hosts, extra services such as a wine tasting, a picnic in the vineyards, or half board at an alpine restaurant can be booked directly or arranged upon request.
Yes. Animals live at several camps along this route, including farm dogs, cats, horses, and chickens. Dogs are welcome at many spots, but should be kept under responsible control. The exact rules can be found in the description of each individual camp.
