Gotthard Pass
Switzerland, europe
26 km
2,106 m
moderate
June to October
The Gotthard Pass (Gotthardpass) is one of the most historically important Alpine crossings, located in the Swiss canton of Uri at an elevation of 2,106 meters. For centuries, it served as the primary route connecting northern and southern Europe, facilitating trade between the Germanic and Italian-speaking regions. The modern road, rebuilt multiple times since the original mule track was established in the 13th century, features a famous cobblestone section on the southern approach known as the Tremola, with over 24 hairpin bends descending toward Airolo.
The Tremola (old road) on the southern side is a masterpiece of 19th-century road engineering, with its granite cobblestone surface still intact. This historic section, completed in 1830, zigzags down the mountainside in a series of tight switchbacks and is now preserved as a cultural monument. While the modern road and the Gotthard Road Tunnel (opened in 1980) carry most traffic, the old pass road remains open to drivers seeking a historic and scenic experience.
The pass played a crucial role in European history, from medieval trade routes to Napoleon's military campaigns and World War II defense strategies. The Gotthard region is also the watershed for four major European rivers: the Rhine, Rhone, Reuss, and Ticino. At the summit, the National St. Gotthard Museum documents the pass's rich history, and a small hospice founded in the 14th century still operates. The pass road is open from June to October and offers panoramic views of the surrounding high Alps.
Where is it?
Gotthard Pass is located in Uri / Ticino, Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.6460, 8.5614
Driving Tips
Take the old Tremola cobblestone road for the historic experience. Open June to October. Visit the National Museum at the summit. Avoid holiday weekends when tunnel traffic overflows to the pass.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt / cobblestone (Tremola section)
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Uri / Ticino
- Length
- 26 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,106 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Surface
- Paved asphalt / cobblestone (Tremola section)
- Best Season
- June to October
- Coordinates
- 46.6460, 8.5614
Related Roads in europe
Trollstigen
🇳🇴 Norway
Trollstigen, meaning "The Troll's Path," is one of Norway's most iconic and dramatic mountain roads. Located in Rauma Municipality in More og Romsdal county, this serpentine road climbs 858 meters through eleven hairpin bends carved into the mountainside. The road was completed in 1936 after eight years of construction and has since become one of Norway's top tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The road ascends alongside the spectacular Stigfossen waterfall, which plunges 320 meters down the rock face. At the summit, a viewing platform designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects juts out over the valley, offering breathtaking views of the zigzagging road below and the surrounding peaks of Bispen, Kongen, and Dronningen. The gradient reaches 9% in places, and the road is narrow enough that large vehicles must take extreme care navigating the hairpin turns. Trollstigen is only open during the summer months, typically from late May to October, as heavy snowfall makes the route impassable in winter. Due to the steep grade and tight switchbacks, vehicles over 12.4 meters in length are prohibited. The road forms part of the Norwegian Scenic Route Geiranger-Trollstigen, one of eighteen designated scenic routes in Norway that showcase the country's most extraordinary natural landscapes.
Col de Turini
🇫🇷 France
The Col de Turini is a mountain pass in the French Maritime Alps, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department at an elevation of 1,607 meters. It connects the towns of Sospel and La Bollene-Vesubie and is world-famous as a stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, where it is driven at night through forests and fog, earning it the nickname "The Night of the Long Knives" for the blinding headlights cutting through the darkness. The rally has used this pass since the event's inception in 1911. The road features a superb series of sweeping curves, tight hairpin bends, and dramatic elevation changes as it winds through dense forests of beech and spruce. The approach from Sospel to the south is considered the most engaging driving stretch, with smooth asphalt and well-sighted corners that flow beautifully one after another. The descent toward La Bollene-Vesubie on the north side is equally rewarding, with wider roads and longer curves through a more open landscape. The Col de Turini is accessible year-round, though snow can occasionally close the upper sections in winter. Unlike many Alpine passes, it remains relatively quiet outside of rally events, making it an excellent road for enthusiasts seeking a pure driving experience. The village of Turini at the summit offers a few small restaurants and hotels. The pass is often combined with other routes in the Maritime Alps, including the Col de la Bonette and the Route des Grandes Alpes, to create extended touring itineraries.
Wild Atlantic Way
🌍 Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500-kilometer signposted coastal route along Ireland's western seaboard, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal in the north to Kinsale in County Cork in the south. Launched in 2014, it is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world and showcases the raw, dramatic beauty of Ireland's Atlantic coastline. The route passes through extraordinarily varied landscapes: the towering Cliffs of Moher rising 214 meters above the sea, the lunar-like limestone karst of the Burren, the wild beaches of Connemara, the rugged headlands of Donegal, and the sheltered harbors of West Cork. Along the way are 188 designated discovery points where travelers can stop to explore. The roads range from modern dual carriageways to single-track lanes with grass growing up the middle, and the weather is famously changeable. Traditional pubs, fishing villages, and ancient stone forts provide cultural richness throughout the journey.
Silvretta High Alpine Road
🇦🇹 Austria
The Silvretta High Alpine Road is a 22.3-kilometer toll road in the Austrian Alps connecting Partenen in the Montafon valley with Galtur in the Paznaun valley across the Silvretta range. The road climbs to the Bielerhöhe pass at 2,036 meters, where the striking turquoise Silvretta reservoir (Silvrettasee) sits at the foot of the Piz Buin, Vorarlberg's highest peak at 3,312 meters. Built between 1938 and 1954, the road features 30 hairpin bends and traverses a high alpine landscape of glaciers, mountain streams, and alpine meadows. The Bielerhöhe at the summit is a popular starting point for hikes and mountaineering in the Silvretta range. The reservoir's unnaturally vivid turquoise color, caused by glacial silt, creates a dramatic contrast with the surrounding grey granite and white glaciers. The road is less crowded than Austria's more famous Grossglockner road but offers equally impressive alpine scenery in a more intimate setting.