Switzerland / Germany Driving Tour -- Is this stupid? Suggestions?

Hi all,

Have about a week (say 6 days) in July to travel through parts of Germany / Switzerland (and Austria if we stay further east) with 3 people. Considering renting a car in Munich and driving to Geneva. The idea is to take our time, drive scenic roads, possibly go on a couple hikes, and explore small scenic towns.

Thinking of possible routes, I imagine something like Munich -> Mittenwald (?) -> Zugspitze -> somewhere in Austria -> Lichtenstein -> double back to Swiss Nat'l Park (?) -> somewhere in Swiss alps -> Interlaken -> Lausanne -> Geneva.

Couple questions for all of you:

1) Is this possible? That is, will driving a car be a huge hassle when we arrive in towns/cities with regard to parking, etc. Intend on only staying the night in places, no long-term stops. Or would it be better to take a train?

2) Any suggestions for things to do along the way? We're more the "figure it out along the way" types and have no real objectives to meet. Good food, good sights, good driving is kind of the M.O.

Side subject, one of our travelers is a geologist and interested in... I guess rocks? Or something?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

I'm not sure when you'll find the time to do a few hikes and explore small, scenic towns - it looks to me as if you'll spend most of your time in the car. Six days are not enough for what you've planned, I think.
Have you looked into the fee for a one-way rental from Germany to Switzerland? You'll also need a toll sticker for both Austria and Switzerland. Scenic roads in the mountains are scenic and beautiful, but tend to slow you down considerably.
This sounds negative, I'm sorry, but in my mind it would be better if you only toured Bavaria and Austria. You could then return the car in Munich, saving the one-way fee.

Amsel, thanks for the tips. I should clarify: don't intend on doing ALL of those things listed (shouldn't have used arrows). So sections (such as Bavaria and Austria, or just Switzerland) would probably make most sense.

Youre right though, the one-way fee is substantial.

The destinations you gave are too much spread out, they can't be covered within six days only. Just an example: The Swiss National Park is in the Far East of Switzerland whereas Interlaken is in central Switzerland. Forget about Liechtenstein completely, besides its capital Vaduz, there is nothing interesting there for the regular tourist.

Instead, think about this very scenic itinerary - off the beaten track but still showing you some spectacular highlights; it will take a little more time but you'll dream about for the rest of your life:

Munich - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Zugspitze) - Imst - Landeck - Martina - Zernez (Swiss National Park) - St. Moritz - Maloya pass - Chiavenna - Menaggio - Gandria - Lugano - Locarno/Ascona - (Centovalli) - Domodossola - Simplon pass - Brig - Martigny - Montreux - Lausanne - Geneva.

Feel free to come back with more questions if this itinerary is appealing you.

Hi AP,
I know you posted this awhile back but I'm hoping you'll have a quick minute to elaborate for me on what you posted above. My parents want to go to Lake Como and see the Swiss Alps and are suggesting some pretty ambitious itineraries to me that set off some alarm bells-- just way too much to cover in the time they have.

I don't know this area at all, so I'm wondering what you think of a version of what you wrote:
Munich - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Zugspitze) - Imst - Landeck - Martina - Zernez (Swiss National Park) - St. Moritz - Maloya pass - Chiavenna - Menaggio.

I'm wondering if it would make sense for them to rent a car in Milan and do this in reverse in about 2 weeks, returning it in Munich. The rental car this way is pretty pricey...

Alternatively, I'm suggesting perhaps they hang in the Lake Como area for a week, basing themselves in one of the small villages there, and then rent a car and go up into Switzerland for about 4 nights and come back. They want to see small villages and big mountains. Further they won't be thrilled with terrifying alpine roads, so perhaps this is best done on train? They want to go the first week of Oct of this year.

Thanks in advance for any advice you might have!