ViaGottardo, Stage 10/20

From Andermatt the hike continues to Hospental, a typical mountain-pass village with refuge shelters, a customs post and guest houses. The route then leads along part of the cobbled post coach road dating from 1830 and the old pack-animal trail up to the pass to the Hospiz (hostel).

From the Andermatt, Tourist Info stop, the hiking trail leads out of the village and across the open valley floor to Hospental. The pleasant opening stretch provides time to warm up for the long ascent. In Hospental, the route passes the tower of the Lords of Hospental.

Beyond the village, the character of the route changes. A mountain hiking trail climbs steadily, initially across open meadows and pastures, then through increasingly barren, rocky terrain. Views extend across the broad pass landscape; Lago di Rodont lies slightly off the route. The total ascent amounts to almost 800 metres.

Shortly before the destination, the hike reaches its highest point at just over 2,100 metres. From there, it is not far to the Gotthard Pass, which from the Middle Ages until the construction of the railway and motorway tunnels was one of the major north–south routes across the Alps. The hike ends at the Gotthard Passhöhe stop.