Tremola · Old Gotthard Road

An extraordinary cobbled ribbon of hairpins climbing the southern flank of the Gotthard. The Tremola is more than a climb: it is a piece of Alpine road history that rewards every turn of the pedals.

Climb facts

Approach

From the first cobbles

Climb length

9.8 km

Elevation gain

713 m

Average gradient

7.3%

Summit elevation

2106 m

Riding the Tremola · Old Gotthard Road

There are climbs where I spend the whole time chasing the summit, and then there are roads like the Tremola, where the road itself is the reason to be here. The stacked switchbacks make even a short pause feel like part of the experience.

My favourite part is the sense of travelling through another era. On the cobbles, the rhythm changes, the bike feels different and every bend opens a new angle across the valley. It is the kind of climb I want to photograph almost as much as I want to ride.

This is a sample first-person journal entry. I’ll replace it with the conditions, route, bike and memories from my own ride.

History and local context

The old Tremola road is famous for its granite-cobbled switchbacks. It climbs toward the historic Gotthard crossing, one of the great links between northern and southern Europe.

Before you ride

Allow extra time on the cobbles. Wider tyres and lower pressures can make the surface more comfortable; check seasonal road access.

Sources

• VeloViewer segment — Tremola, first cobbles
• Gotthard road and opening information

By James Gilbert · About the author