Cycling UK Forum

Has anyone recent experience of crossing the Gotthard Pass?

I've had assorted descriptions of the road surface from cobbles to motorway, just after a better idea of what to expect.

I know it's an obvious thing to say but have you tried Google Streetview?

BTW it's a good idea to use more specific post titles: eg 'St Gottard pass - what's the surface like?' This not only increases your chances of getting a useful answer but will help others looking for this information.

andymiller wrote:I know it's an obvious thing to say but have you tried Google Streetview?

Nice idea but they've not been anywhere close!

It's a normal asphalt road. But blocked with snow at the moment - unusually late in the year.
Very very busy in nice weather at weekends- cars, motorbikes(lots) and also lots of cyclists. An unending stream.
Personally I could think of nicer places to cycle. Mid week in poorer weather might be ok.

We must have been there midweek because the traffic wasn't too bad. It was also cloudy with occasional light rain. And although that was ten years ago, I believe Swiss traffic has only increased about 10% in that time.

Had it been busy and nicer weather we might have used the old road, but after a brief taste of the awfully irregular cobbles we retreated to the blacktop.

Thanks for that, I'll be there early August mid week, this is the first of the days 3 passes on a circuit from Andermatt so i'll be fairly early in the day too, the Lukmanier and Oberalp both seem to have reasonable tarmac so it should be a nice day!

Did the Oberalp pass last year as the start of our Rhine cycle route, the surfaces are great and fast, well the down bits are

Depends which road you take.
Tunnel = toll motorway
Main Road = tarmac with fast traffic
La Tremola = cobbles for several km

Think i'm going through next week (work) en route to Lugano, i'll enquire at the office if I remember.