Linking the towns of Hospental and Airolo in the Swiss Alps lies one of the most exciting passes in the Alps - The San Gottardo (or St. Gotthard) pass.
The route has been an important trade route since the Middle Ages, and is the only route between the German-speaking canton of Uri and the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. The first road suitable for motorised vehicles was built in 1830, with a single lane for traffic. The first car is said to have used the road in 1895.
With the opening of the Gotthard Road Tunnel in 1980, this lovely mountain pass was relieved of its duties as a main link road, and left for us enthusiasts to enjoy!
Running between the same points is the Tremola pass. This was the original road across the Alps, built on the base of an old mule track and was last updated in 1951. It is surfaced with cobblestone all the way - so is a pretty bumpy ride - and features 24 hairpin bends. It is now a one way road, only accessible from Airolo. This is a very exciting road - if you and your occupants aren't prone to travel sickness!!
The Gotthard Pass - otherwise unoriginally named 'A2' - is completely tarmacked and plenty wide enough for two way traffic. It might have less hairpins and hair-raising moments, but it's still a fab road to ride, with numerous switchbacks and some fantastic straight sections too. It weaves its way through a serious of bends and tunnels to the top of the pass.
At the top, the National Gotthard Museum is a fantastic insight on this fascinating area, showing exhibitions on the building of the various pass roads, rails and tunnels.