Cycling routes
Simplon Pass – Legendary Mountain Passes
Brig
5/14°
The Simplon Pass has been a key passage for centuries between the Valais and Italy. The grade of the pass is generally steady throughout the ascension, so you can admire the unobstructed views over the Rhone Valley and into the Haut-Valais while you advance bit by bit into an exceptional Alpine environment.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
22.73 kmDuration
2:30 h
Description
Leaving from Brig, the first few kilometres along the road to the Simplon Pass gradually rise with unobstructed views over a large valley. You pedal through Alpine meadows with the Wasenhorn and Monte Leone looming overhead. The old road up the pass allows you to avoid the traffic on the international road and gives an irresistible charm all along the ascent. After several kilometres, you will cross a suspension bridge above a pristine valley dotted with century-old trees. Several switchbacks higher up bring you into galleries that will protect you from several torrents rushing down the side of the mountain and often bloated by melting snow in the summer. At the summit, the Simplon hospice is worth a visit before a well-deserved break at the restaurant at the pass.
Turn-by-turn directions
Leaving from Brig, the old road up the pass crosses green meadows where colourful flowers grow. Rapidly the landscape gives way to a coniferous forest that gives the ascent a majestic ambience on this famous passage between the northern and southern Alps, Haut-Valais in Switzerland and Piemonte in Italy. As you approach the summit, an atmosphere of the high mountains, bit by bit, encompasses the road as you smell the typical scents of alpine wild plants while you catch your breath. The summit of the pass is home to the Simplon refuge where travellers crossing the Alps would stop, and the view over to the south side and its remote valleys would make anyone want to continue their journey. Going down a few hundred metres towards Italy, you will discover a splendid monastery planted in the middle of a mineral plain.
Start
Brig (671m)
Destination
Simplon Pass (2004m)
Author's recommendation
Discover the eagle statue on the Simplon pass which has been built as a symbol of vigilance during the Second World War. It remembers the time the troups spend to watch over the swiss-italian border.
Technical information
Altitude
2006m
672m
Ascent
+1334m
Descent
-1m
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
Frequent train connections from all over Switzerland via the Lötschberg Base Tunnel or the Simplon-line to Brig. Take the northern exit of the train station and cross the Rhone bridge to arrive directly at the village of Naters.
Approach
From Sierre: follow route 9 until Brig.
Parking
Parking at the train station in Brig. Follow the local car park routeing in Brig.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
