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Region: Savoie
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Kleiner Sankt Bernhard | 2188 METER | Bourg-Saint-Maurice La Thuile

The Little St Bernard is a 2,188-metre-high Alpine pass in the Graian Alps, linking the Isère Valley in the French Savoie with the Aosta Valley. The border between Italy and France runs along the summit of the pass.

The statue of St Bernard of Menthon is widely known. He founded a hospice here in the 11th century. Incidentally, this was shortly after the founding of the hospice on the “Great St Bernard” to the north.

Unfortunately, the hospice was completely destroyed during fierce fighting in the Second World War. In its place, right by the road, stands a new hospice today.

This statue had already been erected in 1905 in honour of the founder. The “column” for it has been there for some time. It had previously been erected for a Roman statue.

The southern ramp is only winding in the lower section, shortly after or before (depending on the direction of travel) the junction for the Col de l’Iseran. The northern ramp, on the other hand, features some 30 bends, but is nevertheless quick and not too taxing to drive. The main attraction of this Alpine pass is its charming landscape.

The “Little St Bernard” can easily be included in motorbike tours through the Western Alps. On its direct north-south axis lie the Colle San Carlo, the “Great St Bernard” and the Col de l'Iseran.

The perfect motorbike tour can be created using the interactive tour planner “Alpine Passes Atlas”. With sightseeing and hotel tips. You can also create an illustrated roadbook with a single click. The GPS data for the tour is available to download. And: if you’re planning on your smartphone, you can import the tour into Google Maps with a single click and start the tour straight away.

 
More images of the pass:
The new hospice on the ‘Little St Bernard’ Alpine Pass. The original hospice was destroyed during a battle in the Second World War.
The new hospice on the ‘Little St Bernard’ Alpine Pass. The original hospice was destroyed during a battle in the Second World War.
The new hospice on the ‘Little St Bernard’ Alpine Pass. The original hospice was destroyed during a battle in the Second World War.
The southern slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’: nestled in beautiful countryside.
The southern slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’: nestled in beautiful countryside.
The southern slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’: nestled in beautiful countryside.
On the French side, the southern ramp, there are only a few bends at the start of the route. After that, you can drive at a brisk pace.
On the French side, the southern ramp, there are only a few bends at the start of the route. After that, you can drive at a brisk pace.
On the French side, the southern ramp, there are only a few bends at the start of the route. After that, you can drive at a brisk pace.
The northern slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’, with a view of Lake Verney.
The northern slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’, with a view of Lake Verney.
The northern slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’, with a view of Lake Verney.
The statue of Saint Bernard of Menthon. Erected at the beginning of the 20th century. A Roman statue previously stood here.
The statue of Saint Bernard of Menthon. Erected at the beginning of the 20th century. A Roman statue previously stood here.
The statue of Saint Bernard of Menthon. Erected at the beginning of the 20th century. A Roman statue previously stood here.
There is also a statue at the summit of the pass, on the Italian side. The pass sign, on the other hand, is unusually plain.
There is also a statue at the summit of the pass, on the Italian side. The pass sign, on the other hand, is unusually plain.
There is also a statue at the summit of the pass, on the Italian side. The pass sign, on the other hand, is unusually plain.
View of the entire summit of the ‘Little St Bernard’ looking north.
View of the entire summit of the ‘Little St Bernard’ looking north.
View of the entire summit of the ‘Little St Bernard’ looking north.
A view of the northern Italian slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’.
A view of the northern Italian slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’.
A view of the northern Italian slope of the ‘Little St Bernard’.
There are around 30 bends along the northern ramp between the valley town of La Thuile and the summit.
There are around 30 bends along the northern ramp between the valley town of La Thuile and the summit.
There are around 30 bends along the northern ramp between the valley town of La Thuile and the summit.
The bends on the ‘Little St Bernard’ road are sweeping and wide, so you can drive through them at speed.
The bends on the ‘Little St Bernard’ road are sweeping and wide, so you can drive through them at speed.
The bends on the ‘Little St Bernard’ road are sweeping and wide, so you can drive through them at speed.
The Cappela di San Bernardo stands in Pont Serrand, on the northern approach to the ‘Little St Bernard Pass’.
The Cappela di San Bernardo stands in Pont Serrand, on the northern approach to the ‘Little St Bernard Pass’.
The Cappela di San Bernardo stands in Pont Serrand, on the northern approach to the ‘Little St Bernard Pass’.
Passtracks close by:
Kleiner Sankt Bernhard, Colle San Carlo, Cormet de Roselend, Valgrisenche, Col du Méraillet

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Country Frankreich
Region Savoie
Coordinates 45.68030000, 6.88389000
Elevation 2188 m
Max. slope 9 %
Toll road no
Road surface Asphalt
Cul-de-sac no
Length 44 Km
Travel time Normal
Route Bourg-Saint-Maurice La Thuile
overcast clouds, 3.5°C overcast clouds, 3.5°C

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Schlosshotel Brig Recommended

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