Great St. Bernard Pass, from

Introduction

Between spirituality and history: an itinerary that arouses emotions that go beyond the charm of the area. The development of the route is fairly steep, so it is recommended for trained hikers.

Description

Leaving the car just above the village of Saint-Rhémy, you start walking along a section of the snow-covered road to the pass. After a few minutes' walk, you take the summer path to the pass and begin the ascent. The first section has some ups and downs and then begins to climb steadily up the west side of the valley. With a series of hairpin bends, you gain height while slowly opening up splendid views of Mont Fourchon.
After about 50 minutes of ascent, you encounter some peculiar barrel-shaped constructions, after which you continue uphill along a long traverse that passes above the entrance to the Great St Bernard Tunnel. The traverse ends with a somewhat delicate section due to its obliquity: be careful in icy snow conditions. Once past this passage, La Cantine de Aoste in Fonteinte can be glimpsed in the distance. Continue as the slope opens out and you will reach Fonteinte (2208m, 1h35').
At Fonteinte, after the cantonment house, you will come across a signpost indicating to turn right; walk up the gentle slope on a non-obligatory path, crossing the various hairpin bends of the winding road to the pass. On the left, the Tour de Fous, a rocky buttress with a peculiar shape, rises imposingly. Head in the direction of the avalanche tunnel, passing a small house at an altitude of 2352m. Shortly afterwards, turn sharply to the right, passing under the tunnel and finally coming up to the road following a wooden fence.
Once on the road, follow it for a short distance and then turn left along the old Roman road. A few hundred metres and finally you see the statue of St. Bernard indicating the hospice located on Swiss territory.
You reach the Albergo Italia and meet the road again: turn left and follow it to the hospice (2473m, 2h45').
The descent follows the same route as the ascent (2h00').

This route is quite long and crosses some stretches at the beginning and on the slopes below the avalanche barrier, which can be prone to avalanches in heavy snowfall. Consult the snow and weather bulletins before setting off!