Story · Bike San Gottardo
Bike San Gottardo: a showcase project for the New Regional Policy
The St.Gotthard Bike routes are a showcase project for the federal government’s New Regional Policy. With support from the federal government and the four Gotthard cantons, a tourism project spanning four cantons, four cultural regions, and three language areas was launched and implemented.
As part of the San Gottardo program, Bikeplan developed the basis for regional mountain bike routes from 2017 to 2021. The routes provide access in both directions to the major alpine passes Furka, Nufenen, Lukmanier, and Oberalp around the Gotthard. Public transportation options for gaining elevation make the experience even more attractive for visitors. The planned bike routes pass through four cantons and eleven municipalities, involve four tourism organizations, and total 181 km.
Bikeplan also advises municipalities during implementation and is responsible for signage planning and quality control. Together with Bike-Netzwerk Gotthard and the municipality of Obergoms, two new mountain bike trails have already been planned.
Nufenentrail
In summer 2023, the trail from the Nufenen Pass to Oberwald was built. The goal was to create an attractive descent from Switzerland’s highest pass. Key factors in the planning were:
- A high proportion of singletrack: almost continuously to Ulrichen
- Diverse landscapes: from high alpine terrain through open land and into the forest
- Variety: from technical rock-garden sections to easy stretches with flowing features
- Remnants of Roman times: the trail passes dry stone walls and crosses stone fords
- A newly built section: a new, sustainable alignment replaces the heavily eroded hiking trail
- Coexistence: all work was carried out to benefit both hikers and mountain bikers
The result speaks for itself: both technically demanding and flowing, the trail winds down into Obergoms with breathtaking views, finishing in Oberwald. A trail for experienced mountain bikers, with descending fun at its heart.
Impressions
Planning
At the kickoff, the approach and construction requirements are discussed and the various measures are mapped to their locations.
Rocky terrain
Stones were removed here, and fords provide drainage. A trail surface made from large stone slabs offers greater stability on steep terrain and helps prevent erosion.
Stream crossing
Stone slabs make the stream crossing easier for mountain bikers and pedestrians.
Snowmelt
In alpine terrain, stream crossings and snowmelt have a major influence on trail design and construction standards. Insufficient consideration can lead to substantial damage and high maintenance requirements. The images show how this issue was consistently addressed during construction of the Nufenentrail. Heavy stone slabs in locations exposed to snowmelt increase the trail’s longevity while creating an attractive alignment for users.
Furka Trail
The trail from the Furka Pass to Oberwald is also part of the Bike San Gottardo project and was built in summer 2024. Created with great skill and dedication, the trail gets mountain bikers’ hearts racing.
