Spotguide Gottardo

The Gotthard region is considered the heart of Switzerland and is an exceptionally attractive and varied mountain bike region. The region includes the Leventina, the Blenio Valley and the Bedretto Valley on the south side in Ticino, the upper Bünder Oberland, the Obergoms in Valais and the Uri Oberland with Andermatt in the center. The region is particularly interesting due to the numerous and famous Alpine passes (Gotthard, Nufenen, Furka, Oberalp, Lukmanier), all of which are served by post bus routes including bike transport. There is even a railroad line over the Oberalp Pass, and the Gotthard Tunnel provides an extremely fast connection between the north and south sides of the Alps. For mountain bikers, routes between the individual Gottardo regions are therefore particularly popular in this region. The crowning glory is the three-day Circuit of Gottardo.

The region is also exceptional from a cultural perspective, as three languages (German, Italian and Romansh) are spoken in this region alone.

Bucket list

Tour via the extraordinary Capanna Corno Gries into Val Bedretto

The great singletrail classic: the descent from Passo del Sole to Olivone.

First-class enduro tours can be put together with the Postbuses on the major Alpine passes.

Drive up to the Gotthard Pass on the historic Tremola Pass road

The Ritom funicular is one of the steepest funiculars in the world - takes mountain bikers between 13:15 and 15:15, the rest of the time by appointment.

The Blenio Valley is the unknown highlight in the San Gottardo region.

Best season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Getting there

Arrival by public transport

The journey by public transport is usually by train via the Gottard line or over the Oberalp Pass and through the Furka Tunnel. This makes it easy to reach the towns of Andermatt, Disentis, Airolo and the whole of Goms. Postbuses also run over all passes, including the option of transporting bikes. Please note: Postbuses generally only run from the end of June to mid-October. The Blenio Valley can be reached by bus from Biasca.

Arrival by car

The journey by car is the same as by public transport via the Gotthard highway or on the cantonal roads between Chur and Brig. All the passes are easily accessible by car, although attention must be paid to the winter closure in the low season. For the Furka and Oberalp passes there are car loading facilities onto the railroad. The Lukmanier Pass from Disentis to Biasca is usually open all year round.