Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass

Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard

A legendary Alpine pass at 2,469 meters with a historic hospice dating back over a thousand years, offering stunning views and a famous rescue dog breeding tradition. The pass provides one of the most dramatic driving and hiking experiences in the Alps.

Things to do

• Visit the Hospice Museum — Explore the historic Augustinian hospice founded in the 11th century, featuring religious artifacts, alpine memorabilia, and exhibits on the pass's thousand-year history.
• Meet the Saint Bernard Dogs — Interact with the famous rescue dogs bred at the hospice since medieval times, known for their legendary avalanche and lost traveler rescues.
• Hike to Lac de Mauvoisin — Trek through alpine meadows from the pass to this dramatic turquoise glacial lake surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks, a 4-5 hour round trip.
• Drive the Historic Pass Road — Navigate the winding 21-hairpin turns on the Swiss side connecting Martigny to the pass, with numerous pullouts offering panoramic views of the Pennine Alps.
• Walk the Italian Border Trail — Follow the marked hiking route along the Switzerland-Italy frontier from the pass, descending into the Gran San Bernardo valley with sweeping Alpine vistas.
• Explore the Tunnel Under the Pass — Drive or learn about the 5.8-kilometer road tunnel opened in 1964 that bypasses the seasonal closure of the high pass during winter months.

Food to try

• Raclette Valaisanne — This iconic Valais cheese specialty is melted and scraped onto bread or potatoes, representing the hearty alpine cuisine served at the hospice restaurant.
• Fondue Valaisanne — A warming communal cheese fondue made with local Valais wines and cheeses, essential sustenance for travelers crossing the high pass.
• Abricots de Valais — These Protected Designation of Origin dried apricots from lower Valais regions offer a sweet, concentrated flavor and are sold throughout the pass area.
• Soupe à l'Oignon — A traditional French-Swiss onion soup served hot at the hospice and mountain restaurants, perfect for warming travelers after Alpine exposure.
• Tiny Saint-Bernard Liqueur — A herbal digestif traditionally produced by the monks and sold at the hospice gift shop, made from alpine plants and honey.

Local customs & good to know

• Weather Changes Rapidly — Conditions at 2,469 meters can shift from clear to severe snow or fog within minutes, so arrive prepared with extra layers and check forecasts even in summer.
• Respect Monastic Traditions — The hospice remains an active Augustinian monastery; visitors should dress modestly, speak quietly in sacred spaces, and follow posted visiting hour restrictions.
• Road Closure Winter Months — The high pass typically closes from November to May due to snow; use the tunnel or lower valley routes during winter instead of expecting the scenic high road.
• Border Crossing Formalities — Though Switzerland and Italy are Schengen signatories, carry identification at all times as this is an international frontier with occasional documentation checks.