Airolo at the Gotthard: skiing, mountain trails and history
Accommodation in Airolo
Airolo lies in the Leventina Valley and the Lepontine Alps, on the southern side of the Gotthard Pass. The town combines valley and pass landscapes with a wide range of attractions: winter sports, mountain biking, mountain hiking, the historic Tremola and the history of the fortifications. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide when to travel and what you want to focus on; winter sports and some trails are subject to seasonal conditions.
Getting there and finding your way around
The southern portals of the Gotthard rail tunnel and the Gotthard road tunnel on the A2 motorway are in Airolo. Bus route 120 runs directly from Airolo railway station to the Airolo-Pesciüm ski lifts. You can also reach Pesciüm from Airolo by cable car. Check the latest information on the bus route and cable car service before travelling.
Winter sports in Airolo-Pesciüm
The Airolo-Pesciüm ski area has 30 km of ski slopes. The Airolo lift system comprises two cable cars, three ski lifts, one chairlift and one pony lift. Slope availability and winter operations are seasonal. If you are planning a winter sports trip, check the status for your travel dates.
Hiking trails and historic roads
The Strada degli Alpi Bedretto is a 13 km trekking trail with no major changes in elevation. It starts right in Pesciüm, which can be reached from Airolo by cable car. Trail conditions depend on the season. The challenging Sentiero Alto Tremorgio starts at the Pesciüm mid-station and leads to Rodi-Fiesso. Trail conditions may vary depending on the season and weather. This gives you different details to consider when choosing: the Strada’s length and changes in elevation are specified, while the Sentiero is described as challenging and its start and end points are given.
Another kind of route is the historic Strada della Tremola. It connects Airolo to the Gotthard Pass via numerous hairpin bends and is considered Switzerland’s longest historic road construction. Here, the road’s course and history are the main attractions. As road access may vary by season, check the latest conditions before setting out.
Mountain biking at Airolo Bike Park
Airolo Bike Park has more than 22 km of mountain bike trails. The routes include trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels, for everyone from beginners to experienced mountain bikers; features of the park also include rollers and banked turns. As the range of trails and their ratings may change, check the latest information before your ride.
Fortification history and local experiences
Forte Airolo was built between 1886 and 1890 and was considered one of the most modern fortifications until the First World War. Its artillery firepower was intended to protect the Gotthard railway, the pass road and the road into the Bedretto Valley. The fort’s history also tells of the importance of these transport routes to the defence of the Gotthard region.
The permanent exhibition “No limits! – I campioni dell'altitudine,†listed for 2026 in Airolo, explores the remarkable ways organisms adapt to extreme conditions in the alpine environment, with a particular focus on the biodiversity of Val Piora. Check visitor information before your trip.
At Alpe Pesciüm, during a seasonal morning visit from June to October, the cheesemaker explains how the alpine cheeses are made. Visitors can also sample and buy products from the alp. Check the latest visit dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Dalpe, Campello, Prato, Quinto Ti, Piotta, Lavorgo, Cavagnago, Chironico.
For the wider travel overview: Leventina.
