Cyclists.com

Gotthard Pass from Airolo

Airolo, SwitzerlandRoad

Routed from the map This classic road was traced on OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

13 km
Distance
914 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap

Elevation profile

Total ascent
914 m
Distance
13 km
Elevation (m)05001,0001,5002,0002,5000 km5 km10 km13 kmHighest point2,093 m at 13.0 kmStart0 kmFinish13 km

Route overview

Suitable for cyclists capable of sustained climbing over 13 km with 914 m elevation gain.

13 km climb of Gotthard Pass from Airolo, Switzerland, gaining 914 m to 2092 m.

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.

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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Scíma du Bòsc' 5.1 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Airolo climb0 km13 km914 m7 %11.2 %2092 m

High point 2092 m at 13 km; low point 1178 m.

Airolo climb · starts at 0 km

13 km at 7% · 914 m
12001400160018002000ELEVATION (M)8.1%7.7%7.6%5.8%7.7%9.5%6.2%7.2%6.9%7.8%6.7%0 km12345678910111212.9 kmDISTANCE (KM)Airolo climb · 2,092 mSTEEPEST 9.5%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
95% main road
Main roads
12.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
11.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
561 (7 km), 2 (5 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
99% climbing · 1% descending · 0% flat
Steep sections
11.4 km over 5% · 2.7 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10%

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmPanetteria La Butea du pan · bakery · 150 m off route
  2. 0 kmNegozi Alimentari Ramelli · convenience store · on the route
  3. 0 kmToilets · 190 m off route
  4. 0 kmMad Ride Bike Shop · bike shop · on the route
  5. 0 kmFarmacia Boscolo · pharmacy · 190 m off route
  6. 0.1 kmDrinking water · on the route
  7. 0.3 kmGarage Brasi · petrol station · on the route
  8. 6.9 kmChiosco Panorama · fast food · 390 m off route
  9. 7.3 kmDrinking water · on the route
  10. 12.8 kmVecchia Sosta · restaurant · on the route
  11. 12.8 kmToilets · on the route

Need to bail out?

  • 0 km — Airolo (station), 170 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 12.8 km — Monumento all'aviatore Guex (monument)

At the start

  • Mad Ride Bike Shop · bike shop · 40 m
  • Negozi Alimentari Ramelli · convenience store · 10 m
  • Osteria Tremola San Gottardo · restaurant · 50 m
  • Panetteria La Butea du pan · bakery · 150 m
  • Denner Satellite · supermarket · 150 m

At the finish

  • Vecchia Sosta · restaurant · 150 m
  • Scuderia · restaurant · 150 m

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

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
56 min

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%

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.