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Bike San Gottardo – A Flagship Project of the New Regional Policy

The St. Gotthard bike routes are a flagship project of the Swiss Confederation’s New Regional Policy. With support from the federal government and the four Gotthard cantons, a cross-cantonal tourism project was launched and implemented, encompassing four cantons, four cultural regions, and three language zones.
Bike San Gottardo

As part of the San Gottardo program, Bikeplan developed the foundations for the regional mountain bike route network from 2017 to 2021. These routes provide access to the major alpine passes—Furka, Nufenen, Lukmanier, and Oberalp—around the Gotthard in both directions. Public transportation offers additional ascent support, making the experience even more appealing for visitors. The planned bike routes span four cantons, eleven municipalities, involve four tourism organizations, and cover a total distance of 181 km.

Bikeplan also supports the municipalities during the concrete implementation phase by providing advisory services and overseeing signage planning and quality control. Together with the Bike Network Gotthard and the municipality of Obergoms, two new mountain bike trails have already been planned.

Nufenen trail

In the summer of 2023, the trail from Nufenen Pass to Oberwald was constructed with the goal of creating an attractive descent from Switzerland’s highest pass. Key factors in the planning process included:

The result is impressive: both technically demanding and flowing, the trail winds its way into the Obergoms valley, accompanied by breathtaking views, with its final destination in Oberwald. Designed for experienced mountain bikers, this trail is all about the joy of descending.

Impressions

 

Planning

At the kick-off, the procedure and requirements for the construction work are discussed and the various measures are localised.

Rocky Terrain
Stones were removed, and drainage was ensured through fords. A trailbed with large stone slabs provides greater stability in the steep sections and helps prevent erosion.

Stream Crossing
Stone slabs facilitate the crossing for mountain bikers and pedestrians.

Meltwater

In alpine terrain, not only stream crossings but also meltwater significantly influence trail design and construction standards. Insufficient consideration can lead to substantial damage and high maintenance costs. The images illustrate how this issue was systematically addressed during the construction of the Nufenen Trail. The use of heavy stone slabs in areas prone to meltwater enhances the longevity of the trail while also providing an attractive route for users.

Furka trail

© Levi Luggen, VastTrails

The trail from Furka Pass to Oberwald is also part of the Bike San Gottardo project and was built in the summer of 2024. Skillfully and passionately crafted, this trail is sure to make every biker’s heart beat faster.

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