Grand St Bernard Pass Italy Switzerland

Day71/Italy4/Switzerland 1

Travelled: 20km to the Great St.Bernard Pass on the Italian and Swiss border at 2473m alt. Parking free (45.8689,7.1654)

After the wiz bangs settled in around us late last night, we did end up with a peaceful night helped by the ‘white noise’ of the river. After our coffee we set off and it was a pleasant 20km drive up to the Great St.Bernard Pass.

Road parallel to the road leading to the tunnel ..

We stopped just before the pass to enjoy the last view of Italy.

As we were early we got a parking spot on the lake. After breakfast we went off to explore. This is the the 3rd highest road pass into Switzerland at 2469m alt. and one of the most ancient. There is evidence of use as far as the Bronze Age and there are traces of a Roman road. In 1800, Napoleon’s army used the pass to enter Italy. The pass is named after St Bernard (same as the pass from France into Italy).

The Italian border checkpoint… wonder if it was used during Covid lockdowns…

View across the lake of the Hospice in Switzerland 

Statue of St Bernard

We had a short walk to the lake side picnic area.

Lots of fish as as fishing is not allowed..

And plenty of fingerlings in the shallows.

The Swiss border checkpoint.

We walked into Switzerland 

The goats were also enjoying the view..

Views of the lake from Switzerland to Italy 

Views down into the Swiss valley…

Adelweiss Adelweiss 

Straddling the highest point of the pass is the Hospice (in Switzerland) founded in 1049, which later became famous for its use of St Bernard dogs in rescues. We went to visit the hospice church and also watched an interesting video of what life was like here during 1939.

We walked back along the otherside of the lake.

We spotted some St Barnard dogs.

 Later in the evening the day trippers made their way home and just a few other motorhomes and vans remained.