The Tremola connects Airolo with Switzerland’s Gotthard Pass. Its most dramatic four-kilometre section gains 300 metres through 24 bends. Surviving granite cobbles and stone walls give this route a character quite different from the familiar asphalt switchbacks of the Alps.
From the pass towards Airolo, turn towards the Ospizio and then follow the Tremola signs. This seasonal route calls for time and patience. Cyclists and walkers also use the road, so the bends are only one factor shaping the pace of a ride.
Give this stretch its own stop in your itinerary instead of treating it simply as transit mileage. Check current road restrictions and weather before setting out, and stop off the carriageway in a suitable place for photographs. Let the historic surface and landscape be the main attraction.