Bellinzona to Brunnen - back to the rain

Setting off into the mountains from Bellinzona

There are three roads over (or under) the Gotthard Pass. The motorway goes in a tunnel, the modern road goes over the top, but with lots of tunnels and snow sheds as well as quite a bit of traffic, then there is the old road - the Tremola - which is the one we had hoped to use. It has little traffic and is used mainly by cyclists. Unfortunately, as we had known for a while, it is still closed by snow.  The new road has been open for a few days, but we don't like the idea of the tunnels and traffic. 

So, we knew that we'd need to take the train from Airolo to Göschenen. It rained as we were taking the tent down and it rained on and off for the first 20km to Biasca. By the time we got there a decision had been made. If we have to take a train anyway, why not take it from 30km earlier on and avoid a long climb in the rain? So that's what we did.

We got off at Göschenen, the first stop on the north side of the pass and enjoyed a long descent through stunning mountains to Lake Lucerne - albeit in the continuing rain.

There was a fine waterfall to look at at Biasca Station as we waited for the train.

Grim mountains greeted us on the north side of the pass after we got off the train at Göschenen

Arriving at Lake Lucerne

By the time we had pitched the tent it was dry enough to cook and enjoy the lakeside views.

Bellinzona to Biasca - 22km, climb 200m
Train to Göschenen - approximately 50km
Göschenen to Brunnen - 42km, climb 300 - descent 800.