The Gotthard circumnavigation begins on the Furka Pass where you can take the postbus if you wish; the climb to the pass on the road is doable under your own steam. Keep left at the pass and climb the cart path to Bidmer with its fantastic views of the Bernese and Valais Alps. At first the descent is not a great as the panorama. The path winds through meadows and has deep ruts in sections and is difficult to negotiate. After Alp Gand there is a lack of alternatives and a large section of the gravel road simply heads straight downhill until just before Oberwald where there is another great singletrail. Roll down to Ulrichen and then take the moderately busy pass road towards Nufenenpass. About 200 metres below the pass, in a left-hand curve, turn right and follow the small road up to the Griessee dam. A singletrail heads upwards to the Cornopass (Passo del Corno) where a fantastic flow track leads down to the Grieshütte (Capanna Corno-Gries). The first stage ends here at this futuristic-looking SAC hut.
The second day begins with a highlight - the fantastic singletrail to San Giacomo high above the Bedretto valley. In a mix of singletrails, alpine roads, ascents and descents it heads out of the valley past the Alpi di Formazzora, the Alpe di Valeggio and the Alpe Cristallina and on towards Grasso Fondo. An old, somewhat unkempt but wonderful singletrail leads down to Airolo via Cna Zora. You can now choose to either follow the road up to Lago Ritom or to head down to Piotta and make the ascent using the funicular. Head through the Val Piora up to the well-known Passo del Sole. A crisp track then leads from here to Stabbia Nuovo. The Lukmanier Pass and the end of the second stage are reached quickly via small gravel roads and the pass road.
Day three begins with a surprise: Instead of rolling on the pass road towards Disentis, climb onto the roof of the avalanche gallery and the singletrails starts from here, directly above the pass road. Later you pass the dam and follow the pass road, or the parallel paths, through the Val Medel and out of the valley. Shortly before the village of Pardé keep to the right and follow the small road up to Stagias and the passage just above it. You have now reached the signposted mountainbike track (1 - Alpine Bike). Follow this across the north side of the valley past Sedrun and on towards Tschamut. The Alpine Bike route stretches on through the Maighels Pass to Andermatt. This mountainbike route is well-known and is a worthy final highlight of the three day Gotthard circumnavigation.
Stages:
Stage 1: 32 km; Height Difference 1370 m (up) / 1465 m (down)
Stage 2: 49 km: Height Difference 1200 m (up) / 2400 m (down)
Stage 3: 59 km; Height Difference 1640 m (up) / 2405 m (down)
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