Switzerland • Central Switzerland
Gotthard Pass Scenic Drive: Historic Cobblestones and Alpine Drama
Drive the original Tremola road — 24 cobblestone hairpin bends on Switzerland's most historically significant alpine crossing, now one of its quietest and most dramatic pass experiences.
Last updated: March 3, 2026
Visitor Snapshot
Use this quick summary to make faster booking decisions before you dive into full details.
- Primary destination
- Andermatt
- Nearby airports
- Zurich, Milan, Lugano
- Suggested stay areas
- Andermatt, Bellinzona, Lugano
Why the Gotthard matters — and why the Tremola is the only way to drive it
The Gotthard Pass (Passo del San Gottardo, 2106m) has been the main north–south crossing point in the Alps for over 700 years. Merchants, pilgrims, and armies crossed here before roads, roads were built for carts, and then the Tremola — 24 cobblestone hairpin bends — was engineered in the 1820s as one of the first proper alpine carriage roads in Europe.
The modern Gotthard highway goes through a 17km tunnel and takes 15 minutes. Most travelers take the tunnel. If you take the historic pass road instead, you get one of the most distinctive driving experiences in the Alps: original cobblestones, switchbacks tight enough that you can see the road doubling back below you, and a summit with a hospice that has been welcoming travelers since the 13th century.
The Gotthard is a natural day-trip from Andermatt, or a through-route if you are connecting Swiss-German speaking Switzerland with Italian-speaking Ticino. Pair it with the Susten Pass drive for a two-day Central Switzerland circuit.
Best direction: north to south via Tremola
Drive from Andermatt (north) south to Airolo. This puts you descending the Tremola hairpins, which is the most dramatic direction — you see the full drop below you through successive hairpin bends, and the view back up from near Airolo shows all 24 turns stacked against the mountain face.
The navigation critical point: ensure your GPS is set to Passo del San Gottardo (the historic road), NOT the A2 motorway or the Gotthard tunnel. The pass road and the tunnel approach share the same start in Andermatt but diverge quickly. Follow signs for Passo San Gottardo, not for Lugano or Gotthard Tunnel.
- Route: Andermatt → summit → Tremola descent → Airolo
- Set navigation to Passo del San Gottardo (not the tunnel)
- South-to-north also works: climb the Tremola from Airolo for the hairpin ascent experience
- Full through-drive to Ticino: Andermatt → Gotthard → Airolo → Bellinzona → Lugano
Key stops on the Gotthard Pass drive
The pass section is short (23km) but dense with interest. Allow at least two stops — the summit area and the lower Tremola viewpoint.
- Andermatt: fill up on fuel; last petrol before the climb
- Upper switchbacks above Andermatt: first good view back toward the Urseren valley — pull off early for this
- Gotthard Hospice / Museo Nazionale del San Gottardo: the 13th-century hospice, now a museum at the summit
- Summit lakes (Lago di Lucendro visible to the west): several small glacial lakes within walking distance
- Tremola first-bend viewpoint: the first major pull-off on the descent gives the classic hairpin-stack photo
- Mid-Tremola: slow down on the cobblestones — they are original and the surface is uneven; 30 km/h is appropriate
- Lower Tremola pull-off near Airolo: look back up the full 24-hairpin ascent from the valley floor
- Airolo village: espresso and the unmistakable shift into Italian Switzerland's pace and architecture
Practical tips: cobblestones, toll, and tunnel option
The Tremola cobblestones are original 19th-century granite sets. They are bumpy and uneven in places — drive at 20 to 30 km/h through the cobblestone sections and avoid heavy braking. Standard road cars handle them fine at appropriate speeds. The road is wider than it looks from photos.
No toll for the historic pass road. If you used the Swiss motorway (A2) to approach Andermatt from Zurich or Lucerne, the standard vignette (40 CHF) is required for the motorway section. The pass road itself is free.
The Gotthard road tunnel (different from the new Gotthard Base Tunnel rail tunnel) carries motorway traffic — it has no toll for Swiss-vignette holders. But you came here for the pass road, not the tunnel.
Pass open approximately mid-June to late October. Check info.swissroads.ch for current status.
Where to stay for the Gotthard Pass drive
Andermatt is the optimal north-side base. It sits at the crossroads of five passes — Susten, Furka, Oberalp, Gotthard, and a short drive to Grimsel — making it the best multi-pass base in Switzerland. Book 2 nights to do both Gotthard and a second pass.
Bellinzona (south approach, 45 minutes from Airolo) is the Ticino capital and a more authentic overnight choice than Lugano for travelers not extending south. Good rail connections and lower hotel prices.
Lugano (1.5 hours from Airolo) is worth the extra distance if you plan to spend time in the Italian Lakes region or cross into Italy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tremola road?
The Tremola is the original historic road over the Gotthard Pass — 24 cobblestone hairpin bends built in the 1820s. It is the scenic route, entirely separate from the modern highway tunnel.
Is the Tremola suitable for a standard hire car?
Yes. The cobblestone surface is uneven but manageable for any standard road car at 20 to 30 km/h. Low-clearance sports cars should proceed with care over the rougher sections.
Is there an entry fee for the Gotthard Pass?
No. The historic pass road (Tremola route) is a free public road. No vignette needed for the pass itself. The motorway vignette applies only if you used Swiss Autobahn to approach.
When is the Gotthard Pass open?
Typically mid-June to late October, depending on snow clearance. The motorway tunnel is open year-round as the practical alternative.
Can I drive through to Italy from the Gotthard?
Yes. After Airolo, you continue south through Ticino to Bellinzona and Lugano, then cross into Italy toward the Lake Como or Milan area. No border stop at the Swiss–Italian boundary on this route.
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