St. Gotthard Cycling Arena: Furka - Nufenen - Gotthard

The route leads from Hospental and passes Zumdorf, Switzerland’s smallest village. You then follow in Agent 007’s tracks (film: Goldfinger) and make the ascent to the Furka Pass: with its numerous bends, a challenge for every cyclist. On the way down the other side, why not visit the Ice Grotto at Belvédère and savour the views of the Rhone Glacier? At Gletsch village, with a bit of luck you may catch sight of a vintage steam locomotive courtesy of the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway. After some refreshment, the itinerary continues down the Rhone valley heading for the Nufenen Pass. The regular ascent presents no great challenge as you admire the picturesque scenery. On reaching the central Alps’ highest road pass, the route enters Canton Ticino and makes its way down into the agreeable Bedretto valley towards Airolo. From Airolo, the surface changes to cobblestones as you follow the Tremola road up to the Gotthard Pass. A unique experience! The museum at the pass is worth a visit, as is the historic Sasso San Gottardo fort, where you can also admire giant crystals. The run back down to Hospental is rapid.