Great St Bernard Pass
Switzerland, europe
32 km
2,469 m
moderate
June to September
# The Great St Bernard Pass: Alpine History Meets Epic Scenery
Standing at 2,469 meters, the Great St Bernard Pass is basically the golden ticket of Alpine crossings—and for good reason. This historic route connects Martigny in Switzerland's Valais region with Aosta in Italy, and we're talking about a road that's been welcoming travelers since the Bronze Age. Napoleon himself marched 40,000 troops through here in 1800 during his campaign at Marengo. Pretty wild when you think about it. These days, most traffic zips through the tunnel that opened in 1964, which means the pass road itself has become this gorgeous, laid-back scenic drive.
The real star of the show is the Great St Bernard Hospice, perched up there since 1049. Bernard of Menthon founded it to shelter pilgrims and travelers, and today the Augustinian monks still run it. Here's the cool part: this is where those legendary St. Bernard rescue dogs came from. For centuries, monks bred these gentle giants to hunt down lost travelers in snowstorms. There's a museum on-site that dives into the dogs' incredible history, and the hospice actually keeps a breeding population going. You can genuinely feel the weight of history walking around this place.
The drive itself is gorgeous. Both approaches feature smooth switchbacks winding through alpine meadows that explode with wildflowers in summer. From the Swiss side, you'll pass through the charming village of Bourg-Saint-Pierre before hitting the windswept summit, where a small lake marks the border. The Italian descent is where things get dramatic—steeper curves and killer views of the Aosta Valley stretching out below you.
Open from June through October, this pass is a cyclist and motorcycle enthusiast's dream, fitting perfectly into any serious Alpine road-trip itinerary.
Where is it?
Great St Bernard Pass is located in Valais / Aosta Valley, Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 45.8692, 7.1708
Driving Tips
# Great Pass for Summer Adventures
This is a sweet spot to visit between June and October when the weather cooperates. If you're into animals, definitely stop by the hospice to check out the famous St. Bernard dogs – they're pretty iconic and worth meeting!
If you're choosing which side to explore, the Italian side has some seriously stunning views. The scenery there is way more dramatic, so if you're a landscape lover, that's your pick.
The best part? You won't pay a dime to drive through – no tolls at all, which is nice for your wallet.
Fair warning though: this place is hugely popular with cyclists. If you're pedaling your way through, you'll have plenty of company, so don't be surprised to see lots of bikes on the road.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Valais / Aosta Valley
- Length
- 32 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,469 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- June to September
- Coordinates
- 45.8692, 7.1708
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