Great St Bernard Pass
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
Drive over one of the most historic Valais Alpine passes: On the Grosser St. Bernhard, you will visit the almost 1000-year-old hospice, meet St. Bernard dogs and hike through the alpine landscape on the border with Italy.
The Great St. Bernhard Pass at a glance
The Great St. Bernard has been connecting Valais with the Italian Aosta Valley since Roman times. At 2469 meters stands the hospice, which was founded by Augustinian canons around 1050. From the 17th century onwards, the monks bred St. Bernard dogs here. The pass road opens from June to October.
What to experience
Visit the Hospice and Museum (1-2 hours)
The hospice on the Grosser St. Bernhard has been welcoming travellers and pilgrims for almost 1000 years. In the hospice museum on the Grosser St. Bernard you will see finds from the Roman temple of Jupiter, which once stood here. Learn about the history of the canons and visit the Baroque church with its treasury.
- Good to know: The museum is open from mid-June to September, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tip: Combine the visit with an overnight stay in the hospice's guest house.
Meet St. Bernard Dogs
From June to September, the St. Bernard dogs of the Fondation Barry return to their place of origin. You will visit the kennel directly at the hospice and see how the animals are cared for. The dogs have been part of Switzerland's UNESCO cultural heritage since 2018. The legendary rescue dog Barry is now in the Natural History Museum in Bern.
- Good to know: The visit to the kennel is included in the museum ticket.
- Tip: The Fondation Barry in Martigny shows St. Bernards all year round.
Hiking with St. Bernard dogs (1.5 hours)
In July and August, accompanied by a supervisor from the Fondation Barry and a Saint Bernard, you will hike through the mountain landscape around the hospice. The tour leads along alpine paths with a view of the mountain lake and the surrounding peaks.
- Good to know: Registration with the Fondation Barry is required.
- Tip: Wear sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing.
General information
| Season |
June - October
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|---|---|
| Accessibility |
Partially accessible
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Discover the surroundings
Address
Pays du St-Bernard
Route de la Gare 34
Case postale 92
1937
Orsières
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)27 775 23 81
info@saint-bernard.ch
saint-bernard.ch
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