Gotthard Pass

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This Swiss high mountain pass would probably have greater significance if it was in France, Italy or Spain and featured in one of the Grand Tours but it should be on everyone’s bucket list of passes to ride. It’s a truly magnificent climb and feels medieval in appearance with its cobbled road, Chapel and the two bridges which span the Schöllenen gorge. There’s even a statue of Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim, the patron saint of mountain passes at the summit. The northern approach from the base of the Furka Pass in Hospental is steadier and less spectacular than the old paved road (Tremola) which climbs steeply from Airolo in the south and rises to just over 2000 m at the summit. Looking back, you can only but marvel at the engineering feat as the old cobbled road twists and turns and snakes its way back down the valley towards the Italian border.

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This is one of the few remaining cobbled climbs that have not been covered over in asphalt and makes for a bone-shaking descent. It could be described as the Paris-Roubaix of mountains. It has made several appearances in the Tour de Suisse but has rarely played a key role in the outcome of the race since it usually comes at the start of the stage. It does, however, make up a brutal route through the Swiss Alps that also takes in the Nufenen, Furka Pass, Grimsel and Susten Passes.

Overview

Gotthard Pass (Süd via Val Termola): 1912 m
Length of ascent: 12.5 km
Meters in height: 932 m
Ascent (average): 7.3%
Ascent (max): 10%
Strava Segment: strava.com
Strava KOM: 40:30 min
Strava QOM: 50:02 min

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Table of contents
  1. Overview
  2. Mont Ventoux (FR)
  3. Gotthardpass (CH)
  4. Lacets de Montvernier (FR)
  5. Mount Teide (ES)
  6. Stilfser Joch (IT)
  7. Sa Calobra (ES)
  8. Furkapass (CH)
  9. Alpe d’Huez (FR)
  10. Col du Tourmalet (FR)
  11. Col du Galibier (FR)

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