Uri/Ticino
Gotthard Pass
There are multiple ways of traversing the Gotthard massif with roads, rail and tunnels.
History
The pass rose to prominence in the 13th century when the construction of the Devil's Bridge made it possible to cross the Schöllenen Gorge below Andermatt. After the mule track was extended, the pass became one of the most significant Alpine crossings. In 1882 a rail tunnel was opened and in 1980 a road tunnel - both were the longest tunnels of their time. In 2016 the Gotthard Base Tunnel opened. The original Tremola road also still exists. Today the route with its roads and tunnels constitutes the most important north-south connection in both Switzerland and Europe.
Notes
The Gotthard tunnel suffered a tragedy in 2001, just two years after the Mont Blanc one when eleven people were killed in a lorry accident. Concealed deep within the mountain – and top-secret until only a few years ago – lies a Swiss Army artillery fortification. Today it forms part of the Sasso San Gottardo Museum. An underground train, the Metro del Sasso, whisks you up to the fortifications.
Map
Statistics
| Summit coordinates | 46°33’22.5”N, 8°34’04.0”E |
|---|---|
| Summit Altitude | 2106 metres |
| Distance | 23 kilometres |
| Start | Hospental 1493 metres |
| End | Airolo 1175 metres |
| Opens | June to mid-October |
Swiss Passes
- Index
- Albula pass
- Bernina pass
- Col de Champex
- Col de la Croix
- Col de la Forclaz
- Col du Marchairuz
- Col des Mosses
- Col du Pillon
- Flüela pass
- Furka pass
- Great Saint-Bernard pass
- Gotthard pass
- Grimsel pass
- Jaun pass
- Julier pass
- Klausen pass
- Lukmanier pass
- Majola pass
- Nufenen pass
- Oberalp pass
- Ofen pass
- San Bernardino pass
- Simplon pass
- Splügen pass
- Susten pass
- Umbrail pass