An iconic road to Passo del Sempione in the Swiss Alps

# Simplon Pass: A Legendary Alpine Crossing

Sitting pretty at 2,005m (6,578ft) in Switzerland's Valais canton, Simplon Pass is the real deal—a fully paved mountain route (Route 9, also part of European Route 62) that'll take your breath away in more ways than one.

This pass has serious history. We're talking Stone Age travelers, centuries of smugglers and mercenaries doing their thing, and then Napoleon Bonaparte rolling through in 1800 with grand plans to connect his empire. The road was finished by 1805, and it was genuinely impressive engineering for the time. Fast forward to the '70s and '80s, and they beefed things up with protective galleries and bridges to keep everyone safe.

The 42.2 km stretch from Brig down to the Italian border isn't your typical superhighway—it's a gentle, contoured drive that hugs the mountain's natural curves. Yes, you'll hit some steep sections with gradients up to 10.7%, but honestly? The wide, well-maintained road makes it surprisingly manageable. And the views? Absolutely stunning. Picture frozen Alpine slopes on the Swiss side and lush, tree-lined valleys spilling down toward Italy. During warmer months, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants to stop at and soak it all in.

Winter can be a bit moody with occasional closures due to gnarly weather, but the pass usually stays open year-round. While you're up there, don't miss the Ganter Bridge—a breathtaking span 150 meters above the valley—or the Simplon Hospice, a stunning 19th-century heritage site founded by Napoleon himself. Pro tip: charge your camera fully. You'll want to capture everything.