Highlights
- Great St Bernard Pass (2469m)
- Great St Bernard Hospice
- St Bernard dogs
- Alpine lake at the summit
- Swiss-Italian border crossing
Stage conditions
| Section | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Scarce |
| Shade | None |
| Mountain pass | Yes — check seasonal opening before you set out |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
No railway reaches either end. Bourg-Saint-Pierre is on the bus from Orsières station (train from Martigny, change at Sembrancher), and the Pays du Saint-Bernard says the same bus runs on in summer to the Great St Bernard pass itself; plan it on the SBB planner. The hospice notes a TMR bus between Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Bernard at the tunnel entrance, and the tourist office sells Martigny–Aosta tickets for the bus through the tunnel to Italy, which is how you cross when the road is closed. The tunnel cannot be walked or cycled; you go through only in a vehicle.
What the season does
The one stage where the calendar decides. The hospice says the pass road opens from early June to mid-October depending on snow; the stage data lists July to September and an approximate window of 20 June to 15 September; the culture page says roughly June to early October. In winter the hospice is reached only on skis or snowshoes, about two and a half hours from Bourg-Saint-Bernard. The stage notes warn of snow and ice even in summer and extreme weather changes with little warning; shade is none. Plan to cross between mid-June and mid-September.
Safety on this stage
This is a genuine alpine crossing to 2,469 m, graded hard, with 1,023 m of ascent and, the stage notes warn, no shelter between Bourg-Saint-Pierre and the hospice. Weather closes in fast; snow is possible outside high summer and the temperature drops sharply after sunset. Carry warm clothing, hat and gloves, a proper waterproof and extra food. Keep to the marked path: the road tunnel is not for walkers. Check the forecast with the hospice before leaving the village and carry ID for the border. In an emergency, contact the local emergency services.
Water and food
Water is marked scarce and shade none. Bourg-Saint-Pierre has a shop and public fountain, and that is the last refill: the culture page is blunt that there is nothing else once you leave the village until the hospice, and the stage notes tell you to carry extra food and water. Take at least two litres for the six-and-a-half-hour climb, more in hot weather, and eat before the final steep section. The hospice has water, meals and a café once you arrive.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, a convent and monastery at the summit. The Augustinian canons have sheltered travellers here since about 1050, and the hospice still offers accommodation and communal meals all year round to credential holders, bookable through its website; it asks you to confirm by telephone the evening before. Beside it the Auberge de l'Hospice, a summer-only inn with 30 rooms, and the Auberge du Mont-Joux take the overflow. Sleep at the top rather than day-tripping: the evening prayer, the dawn over the lake and the stamp are the point.
Sources: Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard — Staying at the pass · Pays du Saint-Bernard — Location and access · Pays du Saint-Bernard — Via Francigena Bourg-St-Pierre – Grand-St-Bernard · Pays du Saint-Bernard — The Great St Bernard pass · Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome — Guide to crossing the Great St Bernard Pass · Tunnel du Grand-Saint-Bernard — The tunnel · Via Francigena Suisse — Hébergements sur la Via Francigena suisse (PDF)
Common questions
How long is the Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great St Bernard Pass stage?
It is 16.0 km (9.9 mi) and takes about 6.5 hours of walking, from Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great St Bernard Pass.
How hard is Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great St Bernard Pass?
It is rated hard with 870 m of ascent and 30 m of descent over mountain terrain.
Is there water on the Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great St Bernard Pass stage?
Water is scarce on this stage. Carry what you need before you set out.
Is Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great St Bernard Pass open all year?
This stage crosses a mountain pass, so it is seasonal. Check the pass is open before you set out.
How do I get to Bourg-Saint-Pierre and away from Great St Bernard Pass?
No railway reaches either end. Bourg-Saint-Pierre is on the bus from Orsières station (train from Martigny, change at Sembrancher), and the Pays du Saint-Bernard says the same bus runs on in summer to the Great St Bernard pass itself; plan it on the SBB planner. The hospice notes a TMR bus between Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Bernard at the tunnel entrance, and the tourist office sells Martigny–Aosta tickets for the bus through the tunnel to Italy, which is how you cross when the road is closed.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Great St Bernard Pass?
Our directory lists the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, a convent and monastery at the summit. The Augustinian canons have sheltered travellers here since about 1050, and the hospice still offers accommodation and communal meals all year round to credential holders, bookable through its website; it asks you to confirm by telephone the evening before. Beside it the Auberge de l'Hospice, a summer-only inn with 30 rooms, and the Auberge du Mont-Joux take the overflow.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.