Les cols du Grand-St-Bernard
La Fouly
-4/2°
Spectacular, high alpine hike along the border between Switzerland and Italy. Three picturesque alpine passes, beautiful alpine mountain lakes, and the Great Saint Bernard with its hospice and the famous Saint Bernards are the highlights of the route.
Difficulty
DifficultLength
11.74 kmDuration
4:55 h
Description
The Great Saint Bernard has been an important connection between northern and southern Europe since Roman times. The historic pass is also a starting point for numerous hikes.
The hike begins at the pass height and includes three ascents to passes with varied views. The three mountain lakes, the Lacs de Fenêtre, are located on a flower-filled plateau at around 2500 meters altitude. The view of Mont Blanc and the neighboring peaks accompanies you on this hike.
Time should definitely be set aside to explore the pass height with its historic hospice from the 11th century. Highlights include the baroque church and a small museum about the history and natural environment of the Great Saint Bernard. During the summer months, the Saint Bernard dogs also stay at the pass height.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims crossed the pass on their way to Rome. Today, the Via Francigena offers hikers a historic route from Canterbury to Rome. The last part of the described hike follows this historic path.
The stars of the Great Saint Bernard are undoubtedly the Saint Bernard dogs, which were bred here by monks over centuries. Today the breeding is located in Martigny, yet the dogs of the Fondation Barry spend the summer at the pass. Visitors can take guided walks with the dogs in the surroundings of the pass.
Highlights of the route:
- Dramatic landscape with passes, mountain lakes and spectacular views.
- Historic hospice with church and museum.
- Saint Bernard dogs that spend the summer on the pass.
Turn-by-turn directions
From the pass height of the Great Saint Bernard, the route leads for 100 meters on the Swiss side of the border before the path steeply ascends to the left to the Col des Chevaux at 2714 m a.s.l. Then follows the descent into the side valley Combe de Drône, before the path ascends again to the Col du Bastillon at 2754 m a.s.l.
Afterwards, the route approaches the first of the three mountain lakes, the Lacs de Fenêtre. After hiking between the second and third lake, the path leads up again to the Fenêtre de Ferret (2694 m a.s.l.), which lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Zig-zagging, it then goes down again to the pass road before the fourth and last ascent to the pass along a path towards the Swiss border is tackled.
Start
Great Saint Bernard, pass height (2468m)
Destination
Great Saint Bernard, pass height (2467m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
2747m
2350m
Ascent
+1030m
Descent
-1030m
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
