Closed for the winter
Bourg-St-Pierre - national border
Updated on: 23.10.2024, 19:49
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
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- 7°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 18.10.2024, 16:27
Pontresina - San Carlo
Important notice: Berninastrasse, S. Carlo in town from the Raviscé intersection to after the underpass at Volt, km 33.52 to km 33.62, must be closed to all traffic from Monday, October 21 to Thursday, October 24, 2024, between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. due to resurfacing work.detour: Vehicles up to 3.5 t can take a detour.vehicles over 3.5 t cannot take a detour.remarks: The closures are weather-dependent.alternative date: 28.10. to 29.10.2024.
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.
- 4°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 18.10.2024, 15:34
Lungern - Brienzwiler
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.
- 7°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 11.10.2024, 11:01
- -5°COpen, with restrictionsUpdated on: 12.10.2024, 09:42
Realp - Oberwald
The Furka Pass is closed at night between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs with immediate effect and until further notice.
- 8°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 18.10.2024, 16:27
La Motta - Country border
Traffic information for the bordering South Tyrol/Passes: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse
- 1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 03.05.2024, 16:07
Sarnen - Entlebuch
On the Obwaldnerside open to Langis.
- 1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 03.10.2024, 22:00
Giswil - Sörenberg, "Panoramastrasse"
The road will stay open on the Obwaldner side up to Mörlialp.
Restrictions for coaches and trucks see section Signalization.
- -3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 04.11.2024, 17:28
Hospental - Airolo
Tremola (Strada turistica) Passhöhe - Airolo: 3.5 t. Closed, winter closure. -
- 1°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 23.10.2024, 19:49
Bourg-St-Pierre - national border
- -2°CClosed for the winterUpdated on: 21.10.2024, 11:27
Meiringen - Grindelwald
Important note: From Schwarzwaldalp to Grindelwald, the winter closure will apply from October 21, 2024. Expected opening in spring: May 17, 2025.
There is a general driving ban on motorized traffic between Schwarzwaldalp and Grindelwald (Hotel Wetterhorn).
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- 1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 09.10.2024, 09:37
Bivio - 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
- -1°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 15.10.2024, 13:40
Urigen - Urnerboden
Note: From August 5 to October 25, 2024, the Klausenstrasse (approx. 500 m) between Gunthartig and Unerschächen-Dorf will be renovated. Traffic will be regulated in one lane from Monday to Friday with a traffic light system. There are no restrictions at weekends.
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 - 4°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 05.10.2024, 10:52
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
- 3°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 28.09.2024, 05:33
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,
- -5°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 13.10.2024, 17:16
All' Acqua - Ulrichen
Night closure lifted between 1800 and 0800.
On the Ticino side open during the winter to All'Acqua.
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- 9°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 10.10.2024, 13:44
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
- 2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 25.10.2024, 08:01
Muotathal - Glarus
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/aktuelles/pragelpass/
- 3°COpen, with restrictionsUpdated on: 04.11.2024, 08:28
Hinterrhein - San Bernardino (Pass road, italien road).
Important note: On Thursday, November 07, 2024 from 07:30 to 12:00, the pass road will be closed to traffic due to construction work.
- 2°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 09.07.2024, 21:25
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.
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- -3°COpen, with restrictionsUpdated on: 17.10.2024, 11:45
Wassen - Innertkirchen
The road is closed at night between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs until further notice. On the Bernese side, the road remains open until Steingletscher.
- 6°COpen, no restrictionsUpdated on: 11.10.2024, 08:31
Sta. Maria i. M. - country border
Traffic information for neighbouring South Tirol pass: www.suedtirol.com/verkehr/berg-paesse