San Bernardino Pass, Switzerland
San Bernardino Pass, Switzerland
-8°C

Closed for the winter

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

 

 


Updated on: 19.04.2024, 11:05

History

Evidence proves that colonization along the pass between Misox and Hinterrhein occured in pre Roman times. The first settlers from the Valais came into the Rheinwald in the mid 1300’s. A chappel was built on the southern side of the pass after 1450 which was consecrated to Bernhardin von Siena – giving the pass its name. In 1467 the owners of two inns near the chappel were given the duty of maintaining the trail, ringing the chappel bell and collecting taxes from the travellers using the pass.  

Upgrading the Viamala Pass from a very rough trading path around 1473 lead to an increase in the amount goods being transported over the pass. This development occured at the same time as the upgrade of the Splügen Pass. The newly paved road, built in the second half of the 18th century, didn’t initially detract from the merchant trading. The next upgrade to cater for goods wagons and post coaches was initially met with substantial resistance from the Lombardy and cantons along the Gotthard. The massive financial backing from the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piemont proved to be too strong and resistance desisted.

The route of the road today is almost identical to that of the 19th century and the road is still called the «Italian Road» which  can be ascribed to the financial backing of Sardinia-Piemont. The San Bernardino Pass has been closed for the winter since the second world war. The San Bernardino-Tunnel (A13) was opened in 1967 giving year round access to Misox and the canton of Graubünden.

Closed time during winter: Opening / Closing San Bernardinopass

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
San Bernardinopass
28.04. -
10.11.
02.05. -
11.11.
21.05. -
03.11.
03.05. -
05.11.
24.05. -
04.11.
18.05. -
05.11.
19.05. -
09.11.
11.05. -
04.11.
13.05. -
20.11.
28.05. -
03.11.
15.05. -
07.11.
11.05. -
31.10.
06.05. -
01.11.
28.05. -
28.10.
29.05. -
03.11.
23.05. -
11.11.
07.05. -
08.11.
19.05. -
09.11.
13.05. -
21.11.
28.05. -
15.11.
23.05. -
10.11.
24.05. -
13.11.
08.06. -
27.11.
24.05. -
09.11.
11.06. -
15.11.

Accommodation and activities

Technical Data

South8 kmSan Bernardino (1608 m.a.s.l.)0%0%2065 m.a.s.l.Hinterrhein (1620 m.a.s.l.)North9 km
Cantons
Graubünden (GR), Graubünden (GR)
Distance
17 Km
Vertex
2065 m.a.s.l.
Max. gradient
9.7 %
Passable
Winter closure (Oct/May)
Restaurant
yes

Location

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Signalisation

Standort: Hinterrhein

Hinterrhein - San Bernardino
- Höchstgewicht 18 t
- Höchstbreite 2.3 m
- Anhängerverbot für schwere Motorwagen

Passes