The amazing mountain road to St. Gotthard Pass

# Passo del San Gottardo: Switzerland's Alpine Masterpiece

Sitting pretty at 2,110 meters (6,922 feet) above sea level in the heart of Switzerland's Lepontine Alps, Passo del San Gottardo is an absolute must-drive for Alpine enthusiasts. Nestled in Ticino canton, this legendary pass serves as the crucial link between the Italian-speaking south and German-speaking central Switzerland—basically the main artery connecting Zürich with Lugano and beyond to Milan.

The 64-kilometer (40-mile) journey along National Road 2 from Andermatt to Biasca is gorgeously paved with smooth asphalt that makes driving a genuine pleasure. But here's where it gets spicy: the southern approach greets you with a series of dramatic hairpin turns that'll get your adrenaline pumping. You'll wind through steep sections dotted with avalanche galleries, treating you to jaw-dropping vistas around nearly every bend. If you're feeling adventurous, the old Tremola road on the eastern side offers an even more intense experience. Fair warning though—holiday season brings serious traffic congestion, so timing your visit strategically is key.

**When to go:** The pass closes from late October through late June (depending on snow), plus it shuts down nightly from 6 PM to 8 AM. Summer's the sweet spot, though expect slower-paced driving thanks to vacationing crowds—honestly, it's not a bad thing when you've got scenery this stunning to admire.

**A bit of history:** The first road opened in 1830, followed by a railway tunnel in 1881. Thanks to the 16.3-kilometer highway tunnel built in 1980—one of the world's longest—you can now traverse this route year-round. The tunnel passes near the legendary "Devil's Bridge," a centuries-old structure with a wild folklore tale attached to it involving a clever goatherd who outsmarted the devil himself.

The entire landscape feels wild and moody, with a somewhat melancholic charm that perfectly captures the raw power of high-altitude mountain terrain.