Airolo is located in the Leventina district, which geographically comprises the valley of the Ticino river until Biasca, specifically the Val Bedretto and Valle Leventina valleys. The hike starts on the south side of the Gotthard Pass. Until Quinto you are mostly close to the motorway and able to gloat a bit when you look at the heavy traffic on the Gotthard route. Take the path to climb up to the rock outcrop with the remnants of Stalvedro castle, which probably dates back to the 13th century.

Back down again, follow the Ticino river to Piotta. The town is known primarily for its ice hockey club Ambri-Piotta. On the left side of the valley you will notice a funicular railway. With a maximum gradient of 87.8% it is one of the world’s steepest funiculars. It leads to the Lago di Ritom reservoir in the area of the Lukmanier Pass. Cross the Ticino and continue following a forest path to Quinto where you cross the river again and turn into the forest. After the next, fairly short wooded section the lovely hike ends in Rodi.

Before the construction of the Gotthard railway, Rodi was highly dependent on the Piottino gorge. The first path crossing the gorge was built in the 14th century. Later, the Roman Road led from Rodi along the western side of the valley to Monte Piottino and finally down to Prato. The “Urner Saumweg” (mule track of Uri) was not built until the 16th century and led directly through the gorge. This is when the Dazio Grande customs house was built, because the gorge formed the border between Swiss and Milanese territory. For a long time Rodi consisted of only this one building for the transfer of goods. At the same time, it also served as a toll station and customs office. Today, the Dazio Grande is open to guests, offering a country-style restaurant, overnight accommodations and an exhibit about the gorge.