Crossed since Roman times and famous for its centuries-old hospice, the Great St Bernard Pass links the Swiss Valais to Italy’s Aosta Valley via one of the oldest alpine crossings still open to cyclists.
A steady climb towards 2,469 m
From Bourg-Saint-Pierre, it’s 12.4 km for 850 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.9% with no real flat stretch. The road climbs above the treeline for much of the way, exposed to the wind over the final kilometres before the pass.
A site steeped in history
The summit is home to the Great St Bernard Hospice, founded in the 11th century, long an essential shelter for travellers crossing the Alps and today associated with the famous St Bernard dogs used in mountain rescue.
Getting the ride right
The pass’s altitude calls for a warm layer even in summer, as the temperature gap between the valley and the summit can be significant. A compact or triple crankset helps pace the effort over the length of the climb.
When to go
June to September — the road can stay closed by snow into late spring given the pass’s altitude, among the highest in the Western Alps.
Good to know
The Great St Bernard road tunnel, opened in 1964, keeps Italy reachable year-round, but the pass itself stays open only in summer — a bonus for cyclists, who get a much quieter road.
