Most people picture crossing the Alps on foot, by car, by motorcycle or by bicycle. One Segway MAX G3 rider from near Frankfurt, Germany, pictured it on an electric scooter. With a friend riding a second MAX G3, the pair followed an ancient Roman road from Füssen in Bavaria to Meran in South Tyrol, covering about 275 km (roughly 170 miles) and 2,400 m of climbing over five days and four countries.
The rider shared this story with the Segway E-Scooter Community in his own words, so we’ve kept his voice wherever we could.
A Crazy Idea, Born on the Couch
The plan started in the middle of winter, on the couch, with one question: what would make next summer one to remember? The rider powers his home with solar panels, so the idea of traveling on sunshine was hard to resist. He bought his MAX G3, set it up, and took shorter test rides first to see what he and the scooter could handle. Today it’s his everyday ride for grocery runs and the 10 km trip to the gym.
“Adventure doesn’t find you in the comfort zone — you have to chase it,” he says. Crossing the Alps on an e-scooter was something nobody he knew had tried. When he shared the idea, people shook their heads and laughed. His friend’s answer was different: “That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. Count me in.”
The Route: A 2,000-Year-Old Roman Road
The two riders chose the Via Claudia Augusta, an ancient Roman route that is now a long-distance cycling path from Füssen to Meran. Their logic was simple: in the age of eBikes, where there are eBikes, there are charging stations. They planned only roughly, on purpose, to leave room for adventure.
The Setup: Custom Racks and Waterproof Bags
Rule number one was no backpacks. A high center of gravity makes a scooter feel wobbly, and hanging everything on the handlebars makes steering a wrestling match. With no luggage system on the market that fit their plan, the rider built his own. “I’m a blacksmith by passion, so I forged custom rear racks from scratch,” he says. His wife’s waterproof bike bags, which had been gathering dust, fit the racks perfectly. His friend went with a waterproof duffel at the back and a compact bag up front.
Editor’s note: Segway does not recommend modifying your scooter. Always stay within your scooter’s maximum payload.
Logistics: Always a Plug Somewhere
The riders studied the elevation profile closely and planned overnight stops before the big climbs, so they could start each one on a full battery. For charging in between, they didn’t overthink it: “In a land of beer gardens and alpine huts, we figured we’d always find a plug — and a cold drink — somewhere.” Along the way, a pocket multi-tool handled a quick roadside fix on a charger plug.
Fern Pass: The Gravel Climb That Broke Them
Two climbs tested the riders. The first was the Fern Pass, a brutal gravel ascent where every pebble seemed to work against them. The tires fought for grip on the loose surface, the incline kept coming and the batteries ran low. “At one point, I had to kick like a man possessed just to keep moving forward,” the rider recalls. Then came the descent: loose gravel and steep slopes that made for a white-knuckle ride and demanded full focus.
Reschen Pass: 11 Hairpins to the Summit
The Reschen Pass was a different beast: higher, paved and twisting through 11 hairpin turns, each one steeper than the last. The riders charged their batteries to the brim before the climb, and by the summit the scooters were working at their limits. In the rider’s words: “The motors got hot, the controllers screamed, the batteries wept — but we conquered it.”
The top was worth it. “At the summit, standing victorious alongside cyclists who’d also clawed their way to the top — the air was electric, the view breathtaking.”
From there, the route ran past Lake Reschen, famous for the old church bell tower that rises out of the water, and on toward Meran.
The Verdict on the MAX G3
After five days of gravel, hairpins and mountain passes, the rider’s review was short: “Powerful, responsive, and with suspension that turns rugged trails into a silky ride.” The MAX G3 carried both riders over every climb with no breakdowns or failures, he says.
He’s honest about what he’d like next, too. “The range left us wanting more,” he says, and he hopes external batteries will become available. On the steep downhill stretches, “a tunable motor brake or regenerative braking lever would’ve been a game-changer.” And since no luggage system was on the market, the riders improvised their own.
Getting Home
The riders ignored the return trip on purpose. That turned out to be the one detail they should have planned: “Turns out, hauling a pair of e-scooters on regional trains or buses in summer is about as predictable as a coin flip.” The rules seemed to depend on whichever staff member they met. Then two cyclists told them about a shuttle that runs daily from Meran back to Füssen and carries riders and their scooters to the start. A quick call and a few messages later, the trip home was sorted.
What’s Next: Linz to Budapest
The next plan is already set: about 600 km from Linz to Budapest, through Vienna and Bratislava. The rider is looking forward to the food, from rich Sachertorte to “goulash so hearty it fuels a 100-km day,” the open road and the cities along the way. Most of all, he’s looking forward to the people they’ll meet.
“The greatest adventures begin with the craziest ideas. All it takes is a rough plan, a loyal friend, and the guts to see it through.”
Segway MAX G3 rider, Germany
About the Segway MAX G3
The MAX G3 is built for longer rides. Here are a few of the features that matter on a trip like this one, as listed on the Segway MAX G3 product page for the US model:
- Suspension: dual front and dual rear adjustable hydraulic suspension.
- Tires: 11-inch self-sealing tubeless tires.
- Power: a 2,000 W max power motor that can climb inclines of up to 30%.
- Range: up to 50 miles at 10 mph with SegRange, from a 597 Wh built-in battery.
- Brakes: front and rear disc brakes.
Specs, speed limits and features vary by region. Actual range depends on rider weight, cargo, terrain, temperature and riding style.
Thinking about a MAX? See how the MAX G3 Plus compares with the MAX G3, read the MAX G3 Plus commuter guide, or learn about the health benefits of riding an electric scooter.
Explore the Segway MAX G3 Plus →
Planning a Long-Distance Scooter Trip?
- Know the local rules. E-scooter rules for cycling paths, roads, trains and buses vary by country and region. Check them before you go.
- Wear a helmet and protective gear on every ride.
- Stay within your scooter’s limits. Respect the maximum payload, and do not modify your scooter.
- Plan charging around the climbs. Start big ascents with a full battery and know where your next outlet is.
- Take steep or loose descents slowly. Do not ride on slippery roads.
This story was shared by a Segway rider with the Segway E-Scooter Community and is published with permission. Quotes are the rider’s own words; trip distances and elevation are as reported by the rider. Photos courtesy of the rider.
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