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Gottardo Bike - Stage 1: Andermatt - Airolo (SwitzerlandMobility 65)

Mountain Bike recommended route Stage Mountain Bike

Gottardo Bike - Stage 1: Andermatt - Airolo (SwitzerlandMobility 65)

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  • Gottardo Bike - Enjoying sport and nature!
    Gottardo Bike - Enjoying sport and nature!
    Video: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo

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    Passing on the old pass road and mule tracks you ascend the legendary San Gotthard Pass. From the barren high-altitude landscape overlooking the Leventina Valley, through woods and old farmhouses, you descend to Airolo, a road and rail hub.

    moderate
    Distance 32.6 km
    3:45 h
    918 m
    1,209 m
    2,243 m
    1,177 m

    The spectacular crossing of the main Alpine watershed, from Andermatt to Biasca. The Gottardo Bike route includes the famous San Gotthard Pass, the solitary Piora plateau, and the sunny Valle di Blenio.

    The Gottardo Bike route combines spectacular high-altitude landscapes with a fine lesson in Swiss history. The San Gotthard Pass has been one of the main north-south transit axes for centuries. The underground is a labyrinth of bunkers, a testimony to its military role during the Second World War; various sections of the route are old army access roads.

    The contrast with Val Piora further south could not be greater: here nature reigns. The charming plateau with its two alpine lakes lies in a rugged high mountain environment. Lake Cadagno also boasts a unique phenomenon in Europe – the lack of mixing between surface and deep waters – and is known to scientists worldwide.

    The descent into the Valle di Blenio takes place almost entirely on the old Lucomagno road. In the Middle Ages, until the rise of the Gotthard, the Lucomagno Pass was the main north-south connection. Little frequented, it is one of the most beautiful alpine passes in Switzerland. The section to Olivone passes through large larch forests, very green plateaus, dense spruce woods and is considered one of the most beautiful in upper Ticino.

    Author’s recommendation

    Follow the mountain bike logo shown on the red signs: Gottardo Bike no. 65

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    Author
    Bellinzonese e Alto Ticino Turismo
    Logo Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Responsible for this content
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    S1 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,243 m
    Lowest point
    1,177 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
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    May
    Jun
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    Track types

    Asphalt 21.92%Dirt road 2.71%Forested/wild trail 43.17%Path 6.63%Road 25.46%Unknown 0.08%
    Asphalt
    7.1 km
    Dirt road
    886 m
    Forested/wild trail
    14.1 km
    Path
    2.2 km
    Road
    8.3 km
    Unknown
    28 m
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Albergo San Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    Chalet Ravina (Bike friendly)
    Hotel Forni (Bike friendly)
    Hotel des Alpes (Bike friendly)
    Bed & Bike Tremola San Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    Caseificio dimostrativo del Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    B&B Gottardo (Bike friendly)

    Safety information

    • Wear protection
    • Assess your abilities correctly
    • Give priority to hikers
    • Stay on the route
    • Close the gates

    Careful planning of routes is the key to enjoying a route. Check the weather and route conditions in advance at local information centres. Depending on the season and weather conditions the route may be closed or interrupted.

    Roadbook

    The Gottardo-Bike route combines impressive, high-Alpine landscapes with a detailed lesson in Swiss history. The Gotthardpass has for centuries been one of the most important north-south links and also achieved military significance in World War II. The area is laced with subterranean bunkers, planned to offer refuge in an emergency. Extensive stretches of the route were originally military access roads.

    The contrast to the Piora plain further south could not be greater. Here the focus is on nature. The peaceful plain with its two mountain lakes nestles in a rugged high-Alpine landscape. The Lago di Cadagno is actually world-famous among scientists, because there is no seasonal mixing of surface water, unique in Europe.

    The descent into Val Blenio mainly follows the old route of the Lukmanier road. In medieval times the Passo del Lucomagno was the most important north-south link until the development of the Gotthard region. Largely unknown, it is one of the most scenic Alpine passes in Switzerland. The route to Olivone leads through open larch groves, over lush green plains, through dense pine forests and counts as one of the most beautiful tours in north Ticino.

    Rest stop
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    Nearby
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    Photo
    Video
    Sasso San Gottardo
    Albergo San Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    Museo Nazionale del San Gottardo
    Chalet Ravina (Bike friendly)
    Hotel Forni (Bike friendly)
    Hotel des Alpes (Bike friendly)
    Bed & Bike Tremola San Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    Funivie Airolo-Pesciüm
    Caseificio dimostrativo del Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    E-Bike charging point - Tremola San Gottardo
    E-bike charging point - Airolo-Pesciüm
    B&B Gottardo (Bike friendly)

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    By train to Andermatt.

    Directions

    From Ticino: A2 motorway, Airolo exit, then Gotthard Pass. Alternative: Highway A2, exit Göschenen then road to Andermatt. From Graubünden: Operalp pass to Andermatt. From Valais: Furka Pass to Andermatt. From the north: A2 motorway, exit Göschenen then the road to Andermatt.

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'688'542E 1'165'712N
    DD
    46.636785, 8.595008
    DMS
    46°38'12.4"N 8°35'42.0"E
    UTM
    32T 469002 5164882
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using Italian as the source language

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    • Gottardo Bike - Stage 2: Airolo - Olivone (SwitzerlandMobile 65)
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    S1 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    32.6 km
    Duration
    3:45 h
    Ascent
    918 m
    Descent
    1,209 m
    Highest point
    2,243 m
    Lowest point
    1,177 m
    Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Singletrail/Free ride

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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