Gotthard Pass - Switzerland.

Harris550
Harris550 Forum Participant Posts: 31
edited November 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Just wondering if anyone has travelled (towed) through the Gotthard Pass, Switzerland and what your expierience was like?

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  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #2

    I did in Sept/October this year.  Going South on the Saturday got into a 7ks tailback.  The road is dual carriageway but the tunnel is single carriageway about 17Ks long. Before the tunnel is a series of traffic lights that stops you releasing a few vehicles
    ar a time to get them into single file.  Towing is no problem at all.  Returning on a Sunday there was no significant hold up.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #3

    We went solo over the pass instead of using the tunnel -  it didn't seem as though it would be a problem towing a caravan over the top, though we didn't see any that day, only motorhomers. What does the Club Touring Europe guide say about using the pass? I will go and find my copy if no one else can.  

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #4

    As I said I towed over and no problem.  There were several cars on the hard shoulder including one van, a large Hobby towed by a VW Golf!  But we were stop start for 7 ks! The incline to the tunnel isn't too bad.  The tunnel entrance is about 3500 feet high.
     

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2016 #5
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #6

    Perhaps I misunderstood in which case please ignore

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #7

    As Oneputt says, the tunnel is straightforward, but can be busy. But if the OP did mean using the pass then the Club guide says that it goes a further 3000 ft higher than the tunnel , to 6900 ft above sea level and is usually closed from October to June, has a maximum gradient of 10%, but is a modern, fairly easy two to three lane road, There will be videos on You tube for sure, there always are.

  • downhill222
    downhill222 Forum Participant Posts: 19
    edited November 2016 #8

    We drove the camper over the Furkapass and then stopped overnight up at the Lago della Piazza at the end of July on the Gottard pass, at 2091m.

    I didin't think that the roads were that bad, a little narrow coming off the Furkapass, but not the Gottard.

    One this is for sure, the scenery is absolutely stunning.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited November 2016 #9

    We wanted to do the pass on our way to Italy in June but the weather closed in and wouldn't have seen anything and the weather repeated itself on the return leg also which was a real shame as we had time on our hands, but the tunnel was ok heading south
    but a lot busier heading north the both times we used it just keep your windows shut it's full of fumes and very hot.

  • Harris550
    Harris550 Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited November 2016 #10

    Thanks for your help everyone, have watched some youtube videos - Scenary and road look great.

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