Closed for the winter
Bourg-St-Pierre - national border
Important note: On 16.10.2023 the Great Saint Bernard Pass will be closed at 1100 hrs. Winter closure.
Updated on: 16.10.2023, 11:05
History
(Col du Gd-Saint-Bernard; Colle del Gran San Bernardo)
Artifacts found along the northern approach to the Gt. St. Bernhard Pass prove that the pass was used in the early iron ages, making it one of the oldest alpine traverses. The pass was used as a connecting axis between Gallien and the Rhine River as Julius Caesar mentions in his «De bello Gallico». The pass was widened for wagons under the rule of Emperor Claudius (54 a.d). Compared to the other passes that were also used by the Romans there were no difficult gorges and cliffs that had to be passes.
Traders, dignitaries & crusaders all used the pass during the middle ages and it was at this time that it became increasingly used by pilgrims travelling from France to Rome, as substantiated by a journel by the Archbishop Sigerich 1st of Canterbury (d. 994 a.d.).
During Roman times, a tempel revering Poeninus stood at the top of the pass and Bernhard von Menthon , Archdiakon from Aosta had a hospiz built nearby in 1050 a.d. to protect all travellers. Von Menthon was made holy and the Mt. St. Bernard Pass was named after him in the 13th century. The Earls and Dukes of Savoyen generously supported the hospiz and it was eventually taken over by the Augustinian canons. The Augustinians were known and appreciated for their hospitality over hundreds of years. In more recent times the St. Bernhard became famous for breeding St. Bernhard dogs.
The international transit trade began in the 13th century and lead to the development and economical prosperity of the villages and towns along the route. Sembrancher, Bourg-Saint-Pierre, La Cantine de Proz were known as points of goods transfer and the wares were taken over the pass on all sorts of vehicles by the locals. Road taxes and duty were collected at certain points along the way until 1808. Construction of the Mont-Cenis pass in 1803 meant direct competition for traders over the Gr. St. Bernhard, but the Gr. St. Bernhard was politically more important and brought prosperity to the canton of Valais over many hundreds of years. The pass was also of strategic military importance from the 17th century and Napoleon crossed the pass in 1800 a.d. with over 30,000 soldiers to begin battle in the Lombardy. In 1906, the border between Switzerland and Italy was finally regulated. The canon Laurent Joseph Murith («Guide du botaniste qui voyage dans le Valais», 1810) recognised the importance of the pass for explorers and researchers and financed the meteorological and geological findings of Horace Bénédict de Saussure.
The district of Valais began constructing the pass road in 1839 and the Swiss side was completed in 1893 the Italian side not until 1905. The idea of a tunnel under the Col de Menouve, which could be open summer and winter, was already touted in the 19th century and the Valais cantonal government granted permission to build such a tunnel in 1938. Violent opposition from Swiss federal authorities, Simplon supporters and the SBB delayed construction begin until 1958. Europes first underground alpine road tunnel was opened on 13 April 1964. Passenger and goods transport increased continually. The opening of the Gotthard Tunnel reduced the importance of the Gr. St. Bernhard. The best known «face» of the Gr. St. Bernhard still remains that of «Barry» - the St. Bernhard dog with the schnapps bottle tied around his neck.
Closed time during winter: Opening / Closing Grosser Sankt Bernhard
Pass/Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grosser Sankt Bernhard | 01.06. - 16.10. | 31.05. - 17.10. | 04.06. - 18.10. | 29.05. - 12.10. | 03.06. - 14.10. | 05.06. - 15.10. | 30.05. - 04.11. | 03.06. - 17.10. | 05.06. - 19.10. |
Technical Data
Location
Signalisation
Bourg St Bernard - Landesgrenze
- Höchstgewicht 28 t
- Verbot für schwere Motorfahrzeuge. Ausgenommen sind Lieferungen zum Hospiz
Passes
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 26.04.2024, 08:26
Preda - La Punt Chamues-ch
The Tuorsbach Bridge will be closed to all traffic from 3 April 2024 to 24 May 2024 due to maintenance work. A large-scale bypass with a maximum capacity of 18 tonnes is signposted. Pedestrians and cyclists can pass the construction site on a small signposted diversions.
Bergün - Preda no restrictions
Important note: Provided there is no major snowfall, the pass is scheduled to open on Friday, 17 May 2024.
Next assessment: Friday 3 May 2024 - -4°COpen, snow covered. Risk of slippery iceUpdated on: 27.04.2024, 05:05
Pontresina - San Carlo
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close.
- 1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 24.04.2024, 10:11
Lungern - Brienzwiler
Note: Due to maintenance work, a section between the turn-off to Meiringen (just below the top of the pass) and Brienzwiler will be closed between 15 April 2024 and 3 May 2024. The diversions via Meiringen is signposted.
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close completely.
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 10.04.2024, 18:30
Tschuggen- Susch
Davos - Tschuggen no restrictions
Vehicle transport Flüela/Vereina Tel. 0041 81 288 37 37
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 09.04.2024, 17:47
Realp - Oberwald
If weather conditions permit, the following opening dates are planned: Partial opening up to Tiefenbach on 8 May 2024 and the opening of the pass on 29 May 2024.
- -3°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 19.04.2024, 11:06
La Motta - Country border
Important note: Provided there is no major fresh snowfall, the pass is scheduled to open on Monday, 3 June 2024, subject to change.
Next assessment: Friday 3 May 2024Traffic information for the bordering South Tyrol/Passes: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 10.11.2023, 16:26
Sarnen - Entlebuch
On the Obwaldnerside open to Langis.
- -3°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 10.11.2023, 09:59
Giswil - Sörenberg, "Panoramastrasse"
Important note: On 9.11.2023 the Panorama Road will closed to traffic at 1600 hrs. Winter closure.The road will stay open on the Obwaldner side up to Mörlialp.
Restrictions for coaches and trucks see section Signalization.
- -2°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 09.04.2024, 17:51
Hospental - Airolo
Weather conditions permitting, the Gotthard Pass will be open to traffic again in mid-May 2024.
Tremola (Strada turistica) Passhöhe - Airolo: 3.5 t. Winter closure - -3°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 25.04.2024, 09:45
Guttannen - Gletsch
On the Bern side, the road is open today, 25.4.2024 to Kunzentännlen.
Important note: The Guttannen - KW Handeck section is only permitted for snow sports enthusiasts. Tickets for the Handegg - Gerstenegg LSB must be purchased online at www.grimselwelt.ch by 4.00 pm the evening before. Current avalanche and road bulletin at https://www.grimselstrom.ch/media/info/Lawinenbulletin.pdf
- -6°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 16.10.2023, 11:05
Bourg-St-Pierre - national border
Important note: On 16.10.2023 the Great Saint Bernard Pass will be closed at 1100 hrs. Winter closure.
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 23.10.2023, 09:42
Meiringen - Grindelwald
The reopening is scheduled for May 18, 2024 (Pentecost).
There is a general driving ban on motorized traffic between Schwarzwaldalp and Grindelwald (Hotel Wetterhorn).
-
- -3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 24.04.2024, 10:40
Mulegns - Silvaplana
Winter tyres are obligatory for the hole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close
- -7°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 09.04.2024, 17:43
Urigen - Urnerboden
Weather conditions permitting, the Klausen Pass is scheduled to open on 17 May 2024.
Info for coach transport – summer 2024
2.30 m wide, double axis and 18 t vehicles do not need permission to use the road, also on weekends.
From the opening of the pass in 2024: single level, 2.55 m wide, double axis and max. 18 t heavy coaches may use the Klausen pass road from Monday to Friday but must have special permission. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Unterschächen to Linthal. Tuesday and Thursday from Linthal to Unterschächen. Permission is granted by the Strassenverkehrsamt Kanton Uri, or Kanton Glarus.Permits for Linthal – Unterschächen can be obtained at:
Strassenverkehrs- u. Schifffahrtsamt des Kanton Glarus,
Mühleareal17
8762 Schwanden
Tel 055 646 54 00
E-Mail: stva@gl.ch
Permits for Unterschächen - Linthal can be obtained at:
Amt für Strassen- und Schiffsverkehr
Gotthardstrasse 77a
6460 Altdorf
Tel 041 875 28 02
E-Mail: sonderbewilligungen@ur.ch
https://www.ur.ch/publikationen/6500 - -0°COpen, snow covered. Risk of slippery iceUpdated on: 17.04.2024, 06:07
Fuorns - Campra
Winter tyres are obligater for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass imay close completely. See also www.lucomagno.ch
- -1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 10.04.2024, 14:58
Silvaplana - Casaccia
Winter tyres are obligatory for the hole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close Complete,
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 30.10.2023, 14:15
All' Acqua - Ulrichen
The road will stay open on the Ticino side up to All’Acqua
- -2°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 25.04.2024, 18:04
Tschamut - Andermatt
Important note: Due to the bad weather and the new snowfall at higher altitudes, the Oberalp Pass is not expected to be open until the second half of next week. The clearing work is in progress. Next information from 02.05.2024.
Disentis- Tschamut no restrictions
- -2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 23.04.2024, 21:21
Zernez - Tschierv
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on the weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close completely.
Traffic information for the bordering South Tyrol/Passes: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 07.03.2024, 17:35
Muotathal - Glarus
Glarus side:
Schwyzer side:
Winter closure between Fruttli and Gampel.
On the Schwyz side of the Pragel Pass, the renovation work between Stalden and Fruttli will continue from March 20 until June 7, 2024. This stretch will be closed to all traffic between Monday and Friday from 07:00 to 1800 hours.
Note: The following traffic restrictions generally apply to the Pragelpass road:
- On Saturdays and Sundays, motorised vehicles and motorbikes are prohibited 5.5 km after the top of the pass (cantonal border SZ/GL to Richisau, approx. 2 km)
- Maximum weight 3.5 tonnes (SSV signal 2.16) except for agricultural, alpine and forestry traffic, traffic for the construction, operation and maintenance of public and private works (incl. electrical infrastructure), traffic for milk-processing plants and military traffic;
- Driving ban for trailers (SSV signal 2.09) except for agricultural, alpine and forestry traffic, traffic for the construction, operation and maintenance of public and private works (incl. electrical infrastructure), traffic for milk processing plants and military traffic;
- Maximum weight for agricultural, alpine and forestry traffic, traffic for the construction, operation and maintenance of public and private works (incl. electrical infrastructure) and traffic for milk processing plants incl. trailers 32 tonnes (SSV signal 2.16);
- Maximum weight of military traffic including trailers 12 tonnes.
- On public holidays that do not fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the Pragel Pass is normally passable.See also: https://www.bezirk-schwyz.ch/aktuell/pragelpass/
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 19.04.2024, 11:05
Hinterrhein - San Bernardino (Pass road, italien road).
Important note: Provided there is no major snowfall, the pass is scheduled to open on Friday 17 May 2024, subject to change. Next assessment: Friday 3 May 2024
- -2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 23.04.2024, 08:17
Brig - Gondo
Winter tyres are obligatory for the whole winter period. Depending on ithe weather conditions, snow chains may be obligatory over a short period, or the pass may close completely.
- -4°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 23.04.2024, 21:23
Splügen - Country border
Important note: Provided there is no major fresh snowfall, the pass is scheduled to open on Thursday, 2 May 2024, subject to change.
Next assessment: 26 April 2024
- -5°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 25.04.2024, 09:47
Wassen - Innertkirchen
On the Bern side, the road is open today, 25.4.2024 to Feldmoos.
Note: Gental open to Haberen.
On the Uri side, the road is open as far as Färnigen.
Weather conditions permitting, the Susten Pass will be open again on 14 June 2024. The partial opening on the Uri side up to Sustenbrüggli is expected to be possible again on 29 May 2024.
- -5°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 19.04.2024, 11:11
Sta. Maria i. M. - country border
Expected passport opening towards the end of May at the beginning of June.
Next assessment: End of week 17Traffic information for neighbouring South Tirol pass: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse