Road · Switzerland
Gotthard Pass from Airolo
A mountainous 13 km road cycling route from Airolo through Bedrina and Scíma du Bòsc', with 914 m of climbing over the Airolo climb. Most of it (12.3 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 11.6 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 13 km
- Elevation gain
- 914 m
- Riding time
- 56 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Airolo
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 914 m
- 13 km
Route description
- Airolo
- Airolo climb
- Bedrina
- Scíma du Bòsc'
The route climbs 13 km from Airolo at 1178 m to the Gotthard Pass summit at 2092 m, gaining 914 m at an average gradient of 7% with a maximum of 11.2%. The climb is mostly continuous uphill, with 11.4 km over 5% gradient including 2.7 km over 8% and 0.6 km over 10%. The first half accounts for 63% of the total elevation gain.
The surface is 98% paved, with a very small 2% gravel section. Almost all the route is on main roads (95%), primarily roads 561 for 7.3 km and road 2 for 5.1 km. There are 12.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 11.7 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or higher.
Airolo provides various facilities at the start, including bike shops, convenience stores, bakery, supermarket, restaurants and drinking water. There is a long stretch without cafes, shops or water for 6.6 km from km 0.3 to 6.9. Restaurants are available near the finish in Airolo and at km 12.8. A railway station serves as a bailout point at the start.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Airolo climb (13 km at 7 %).
- Tops out at 2,092 m, 13 km in.
Highlights
- Climb gains 914 m to Gotthard Pass at 2092 m
- Passes places Bedrina and Scíma du Bòsc'
- Longest named roads 561 and 2
- Monumento all'aviatore Guex near finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airolo climb | 0 km | 13 km · 914 m · 7 % · max 11.2 % | 13 km · 914 m · 7 % | 2092 m |
Airolo climb · full ascent, starts at 0 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 95% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 11.6 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 95% main road · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 12.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- 561 (7 km), 2 (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 99% climbing · 1% descending · 0% flat
- Steep sections
- 11.4 km over 5% · 2.7 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 17 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 7 water points, 2 petrol stations, 2 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmPanetteria La Butea du pan · bakery · 150 m off route
- 0 kmNegozi Alimentari Ramelli · convenience store · on the route
- 0 kmToilets · 190 m off route
- 0 kmMad Ride Bike Shop · bike shop · on the route
- 0 kmFarmacia Boscolo · pharmacy · 190 m off route
- 0.1 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 0.3 kmGarage Brasi · petrol station · on the route
- 6.9 kmChiosco Panorama · fast food · 390 m off route
- 7.3 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 12.8 kmVecchia Sosta · restaurant · on the route
- 12.8 kmToilets · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Airolo (station), 170 m off route
Worth a stop
- 12.8 km — Monumento all'aviatore Guex (monument)
Stay after this ride
- Albergo San Gottardo · hotel · 120 m from the finish
- Ospizio del San Gottardo · hotel · 110 m from the finish
- La Claustra · hotel · 1.2 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Bikes and repair
- Mad Ride Bike Shop (40 m)
- Food and coffee
- Osteria Tremola San Gottardo (50 m), Panetteria La Butea du pan (150 m)
- Shops
- Negozi Alimentari Ramelli (10 m), Denner Satellite (150 m), Il Nostrano (90 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Vecchia Sosta (150 m), Scuderia (150 m)
Know before you go
- 6.6 km without cafe, shop or water from 0.3 to 6.9 km
- 12.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 11.7 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
- Short sections of steep gradient up to 11.2%
