St. Gotthard Cycling Arena: Gotthard – Lukmanier – Oberalp

The route starts in Andermatt and takes you to the next village of Hospental. From there you ascend to the famous Gotthard Pass. Culture vultures will enjoy visiting the museum there or the Sasso San Gottardo fort, which also houses a unique display of giant crystals. The descent into Canton Ticino follows the historic Tremola road with its cobblestones and numerous hairpins – alternatively, take the broad, smooth pass road. After Airolo, the route passes through the Piotta Gorge with the former Uri customs station of Dazio Grande. Why not stop off for refreshments in a cool grotto in Biasca before negotiating the ascent to the Lukmanier Pass? On arrival at the pass, you could have a picnic by the reservoir by way of reward for your exertions. The pass road on the far side ends at Disentis, which boasts a monastery (open to the public). The route then heads for the Oberalp Pass in parallel to the young Anterior Rhine, passing authentic Grisons villages on the way. A lighthouse at the pass (a nod to Rotterdam at the far end of the Rhine) draws attention to the nearby source of the river. The route ends with the descent back to Andermatt, during which you have glorious views of the Urseren valley below.