Col du Gran St Bernard

[Solgal]

Just planning our return route from Italy to UK 22nd September. We are staying at Valle d'Aosta and then heading to Baume-les-Dames via Lake Geneva and Lausanne which takes us the Great Saint Bernard pass. Anyone been there? If so, any tips. Alternatively we can go through the tunnel but it seems a shame to do that!

 

[sidepod]

Only that you play this on the stereo.....

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Just planning our return route from Italy to UK 22nd September. We are staying at Valle d'Aosta and then heading to Baume-les-Dames via Lake Geneva and Lausanne which takes us the Great Saint Bernard pass. Anyone been there? If so, any tips. Alternatively we can go through the tunnel but it seems a shame to do that!

Scenic route every time (unless you’re in a hurry).

 

[bvddobb]

Been there, done that, several times, in bright sunlight and another time with snowdrifts. The old refuge on top has a brilliant athmosphere. Would never take the tunnel if we could avoid it! (Any tunnel, that is: usuallly old pass roads make much more interesting drives! Here a few examples from the Alps.).

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Been there, done that, several times, in bright sunlight and another time with snowdrifts. The old refuge on top has a brilliant athmosphere. Would never take the tunnel if we could avoid it! (Any tunnel, that is: usuallly old pass roads make much more interesting drives!).

That’s extreme !

 

[Solgal]

Been there, done that, several times, in bright sunlight and another time with snowdrifts. The old refuge on top has a brilliant athmosphere. Would never take the tunnel if we could avoid it! (Any tunnel, that is: usuallly old pass roads make much more interesting drives!).

Been there, done that, several times, in bright sunlight and another time with snowdrifts. The old refuge on top has a brilliant athmosphere. Would never take the tunnel if we could avoid it! (Any tunnel, that is: usuallly old pass roads make much more interesting drives!).

That does look a bit scary!!!

 

[kurienp]

Only that you play this on the stereo.....

and even if you don't smoke ... have a cig hanging from your lips like that

 

[kurienp]

That does look a bit scary!!!

Once you're there, it will not be so scary. You will enjoy it!

 

[bvddobb]

That does look a bit scary!!!

Don’t worry: the Gd St Bernhard is a nice two lane asphalt road!
Jusr wanted to make the point that avoiding a tunnel and taking an old pass road is usually a more interesting drive!

 

[pluc99]

Note that there is an alternate route you could consider going over the Petit S.Bernard pass from La Thuile heading into France, where you could O.D. on several more passes. This would only really make sense if you were to continue west through France towards Geneva bypassing Lausanne.

If you're looking for campsites, I can recommend Hobo Camping in Val Veny (near Courmayeur): https://www.campinghobo.com
I was just there at the beginning of August. Remember to pack warm clothing/sleeping bags as the nights get a bit nippy and note that they are open only until Sept 18:

 

[stim]

Italian side is a bigger road, Swiss side much narrower and twisty but by far not the most extreme paved pass in the alps. Definitely better than the tunnel and no reason not to go other than time/fuel saving.

Aosta valley is tip top.