St Gotthard Pass or Tremola – an Alpine pass as a transit route or adventure trail.

The St Gotthard Pass – three routes across (or through) the heart of the Alps

There are three different ways to cross the St Gotthard Pass, depending on whether you prefer comfort, driving pleasure or historical atmosphere.

1. The fastest connection: the Gotthard Road Tunnel

The easiest option is to drive through the Gotthard Road Tunnel at an altitude of around 1,100 metres. At 16.9 kilometres, it is one of the longest tunnels in the world – currently ranked fourth. It is a technical masterpiece of engineering. Only the regular Swiss motorway vignette is required to drive through; there are no additional tolls.

2. The modern pass road – comfortable but unspectacular

Those who prefer to drive over the mountain can take the newly upgraded pass road, which climbs to an altitude of 2,106 metres. It is excellently paved, generously laid out and has wide, easy-to-navigate bends – even large vehicles can master them without any problems. However, there is little driving pleasure in the classic sense, as the driving experience is rather sober.

Once you reach the pass plateau, you will find a hospice, several restaurants, bars and a small mountain lake – an ensemble of historic buildings slightly off the main route. However, large power lines run along the road, which detract somewhat from the landscape.

3. The old Tremola – cobblestones, curves and history

For those who want to experience the pass in style and with a touch of adventure, there is no way around the Tremola – the original, historic pass road. The completely paved route winds its way up the mountain with many tight curves and offers great views and a journey into the past.

Despite its good condition, caution is advised in bad weather – the Tremola can be slippery when wet or snowy, and is often closed. The photo shows the southern ramp towards Airolo, with a view of the modern gallery of the upgraded section.

The entire pass route between Andermatt in the north and Airolo in the south is approximately 30 kilometres long.

The Gotthard as an important transit route!
Thanks to the tunnel, the Gotthard is one of the central north-south connections through the Alps – a real alternative to the San Bernardino Tunnel or even the Brenner Pass.

Tip for fans of Alpine passes:
A fascinating report on the Tremola and many other Swiss Alpine passes can be seen in the TV documentary

‘Alpen-Marathon: 7 Tage, 6 Länder, 50 Alpenpässe – Teil 2’ (Alpine Marathon: 7 days, 6 countries, 50 Alpine passes – Part 2).

There is also a short video – ideal for getting a first impression.

If you would like to get an overview of the impressive variety of Alpine passes, you can purchase a unique Alpine pass poster in 70 x 100 cm format here. It lists over 400 Alpine passes – perfect for planning, inspiration or as an eye-catching display on your wall.