Via Gottardo

Long-Distance Hiking · Switzerland · closed

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Biasca.
Photo: Toni Kaiser, CC BY-SA, Tourenplaner SCHWEIZ

closed

moderate

Distance 356 km

110:00 h

7,984 m

8,022 m

2,109 m

222 m

The Via Gottardo is a cultural trail whose main route follows the path over the Gotthard Pass in the Swiss Alps, which was opened up in the 13th century.

The development of the Schöllenen Gorge in the Middle Ages introduced the route over the Gotthard Pass as an important international trade route between Germany and Italy. From 1230 to 1830, the mule track from Basel to Chiasso was the most important Alpine crossing in Switzerland. The Via Gottardo still follows this route today. From Basel, it passes through the Jura, the Swiss Mittelland and then the Pre-Alps and Alps. Through numerous valleys and along some rivers such as the Rhine, the Aare and the Ticino as well as through the Schöllenenschlucht (gorge), it goes further and further into the south. There are also lakes along the route: Sempachersee, Vierwaldstättersee and Luganersee. Along the way, many traces of transport connections can be discovered, and the route becomes an exciting journey through the history, culture and mythology of the country.

Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

The most beautiful long-distance hikes in Switzerland

Switzerland › Solothurn › Willisau

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