Gotthard Pass
A GPX track over the newly built Gotthard Pass road between Andermatt and Airolo, not the old cobblestone Tremola road, known for its floating hairpins.
The first time I just rode straight past here, without realizing what a stunning view you get just past the top, looking down over the old Tremola cobblestone road. I wasn't going to let that happen a second time.
I wasn't sure about the stopping place at first: the parking area had turned into an actual construction site, full of cranes and heavy machinery, a bare, dug-up patch instead of a proper parking lot. But I was determined, and I'm glad I was right to push on. What a gorgeous spot, with a breathtaking view of the Tremola's hairpins, stacked like layers on top of each other all the way down to Airolo.
The new Gotthard Pass road itself was built in stages between 1967 and 1977, as a safer replacement for the old Tremola. The road is very wide and well maintained, not a particularly challenging or long mountain pass. What I found especially spectacular was the descent into the valley, with a view of Airolo spread out below and getting to ride those famous floating hairpins myself.
Elevation profile
Stops & viewpoints
- 1View over the Via TremolaJust past the top the view opens up over the old cobblestone road, with hairpins stacked like layers on top of each other all the way to Airolo.
- 2View over the floating hairpinsFurther down the descent, near the hamlet of Bedrina, you can also see the hairpins of the new Gotthard road itself stacked like layers on top of each other toward Airolo.
Based on the GPX track. Small deviations are normal.
Things to know about the Gotthard Pass
A construction site for a parking lot
Looking for the viewpoint over the Tremola, the parking area I had in mind turned out to be completely dug up, full of cranes and construction vehicles. I wasn't sure I was in the right place, but rode on to the end anyway. Good thing I did, the view was well worth the search.
24 hairpins in barely 4 kilometers
The old Tremola cobblestone road you see down below has 24 hairpin bends on its steepest stretch, over roughly 4 kilometers. It was built between 1827 and 1832 by engineer Francesco Meschini and connects Airolo (1,175 m) with the pass summit (2,106 m). It's one of the highest paved roads in Europe and counts as a protected road monument in Switzerland.
No Devil's Bridge, no Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass only really became accessible once the first Devil's Bridge was built around 1230 across the Schöllenen Gorge, between Andermatt and Göschenen. Without that bridge, the gorge remained an impassable natural barrier for centuries. Today's road bridge, built in 1955, hangs above the older versions, with a mural recalling the legend of the devil said to have built it.
A hundred years of postbuses over the pass
Since June 1922, the Swiss postbus has crossed the Gotthard Pass, originally using repurposed army vehicles converted for the job. The ride between Airolo and Andermatt takes around 50 minutes. The distinctive three-tone horn the buses use to announce themselves around blind bends has sounded the same since 1924.
Practical info on the road
An alternative to the tunnel, but busier because of it
Most people cross from Switzerland into Italy through the Gotthard road tunnel down in the valley. When we rode the pass, there was already more than a 3-hour queue for the tunnel. When that happens, plenty of drivers and riders divert onto the pass to avoid the wait, which can suddenly make it a lot busier than you'd expect.
Roadworks with temporary traffic lights
When we rode through, the pass road was being renewed, with temporary traffic lights at some of the bends as a result. Expect the odd hold-up along the way.
A break at the summit
At the top you'll find restaurants, a kiosk and the National Saint Gotthard Museum, a nice stop for a bite to eat or to dig into the pass's history.
Leave early on busy days
The Gotthard is already one of the busiest Alpine passes: in peak season and on weekends it fills up fast with campers and tourist traffic. Set off early for a quieter ride.