Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard

This climb is something incredible: it doesn't have any difficult gradients but it is long, very long, infinite, you arrive at a certain point that you almost hate it: you have been pedalling for more than an hour and you still can't see the top, you are running out of energy and the wind continues to lash your face, you would like to throw the bike away and say "Enough! I'm stopping here"... but it's only a moment, because it's you who chose to face it and you knew very well what you were going to do; you set off again with more determination than before and you bite down on those last kilometres of road with all your last strength.
And then you enter the tunnel, there you begin to realise that you have made it, you exit, follow the road that turns slightly to the left and, as in a dream, the lake appears.
You get to the top and you think of how many people, unlike you who did it for fun, have travelled that road: Salassi, Romans, monks, migrants, Napoleonic soldiers... You realise that you are in a place where history is dense and nature stupendous, and there you can only love this hill.

Phenomenal climb in its last section where the SS 27 leaves the main road leading to the tunnel on the right. Pedalable gradients, but the difference in altitude is very noticeable and the fact that you don't quite understand where the summit is somewhat discouraging. The magnificence is the grandeur of the peaks, an exceptional landscape and the altitude make the climb epic. Travelled in October practically solo . The reward on arrival is a breathtaking panorama!

What was impossible for the riders of the Giro d'Italia in May 2023 due to snow (they took the tunnel) was possible for me in early September. Cycling up the Italian side of this literally cross-border col.
It is one of the most historically important passes in the alpine region. Constructed by the Romans, used in the Middle Ages by Charlemagne and in 1800 by Napoleon with his 30,000-strong army.
The climb is quite long with no extreme percentages where you mainly have to dose in the first long section to have something in the tank before the tough finale.
First part (20 km) is busy wide road winding out of the Aosta Valley via the first hairpin turns with fabulous views already along the way. After diverting most car/truck traffic to the left towards the tunnel in Saint Rhémy, the purely natural final section (14 km) begins on the right with series of hairpin bends up the rocky flank. Along the way, you cycle briefly under the covered approach tube to the tunnel entrance before ending up in a high-mountain setting above the 2000-metre tree line. There is only disciplined tourist car and motorcycle traffic.
Beautiful little lake, with souvenir stalls in front of Hotel Albergo Italia and under the watchful eye of the Saint Bernard statue, is the harbinger of the border as the effective summit is a little further on Swiss territory.
Pass crossing runs right through historic Hospice building with hotel,restaurant,chapel,museum,souvenir shop and parking. It remains modest and thus no fairground like on the Stelvio.

Practical: On the first section there is usually a decent strip of asphalt provided for cyclists next to the car section.
Scattered along the route there are a few short tunnels and galleries where a red bike flashing light never hurts.
Supplies and water sources along the way no problem.
Leave early if possible as the climb is the south side and has hardly any shade.

Historic TOP CLIM with wonderful high-mountain pass crossing between Italy and Switzerland!!!

A climb really not to be missed! The first approximately 32km are good to cycle at pace and nowhere does it get really steep. You cycle on the route towards the tunnel, so relatively heavy traffic. In several places extra space is made for cycling. Towards the junction between tunnel and pass some smaller villages and come the nicer views. After the fork, the nice climbing starts. At about 10km, a car park on the right and the first view of the last part of the climb. The climbing kilometres start to add up and the last part also becomes more challenging with fewer (no) rest stops. Really stunning the views of the hairpin bends and the route to cover! At least - part of the route only reappears after the next hairpin bend, but these views - besides (mentally) biting through - are just stunning. At the end before the climb, cycle on to the Swiss side and then enjoy the lake on both sides of the border.

The first 20 km are dead boring, on a through traffic road. Climbs lightly, so it does progress thankfully. After the turnoff at the tunnel, the climb gets more and more beautiful. The finale is beautiful, a real classic alpine pass. But don't be fooled if you think you see the summit, it disappoints a few times. But after the tunnel/gallery, you're there!

What an amazing ride this was! It was very hot when I was there, so I started early (07:00). Temperature was good and you cycle most of the time in the shadow. Traffic was also minimal. Once you have passed the entrance to the tunnel, the climb is really magical and the last few metres to the top are beautiful. Nowhere is the climb really hard and you will regularly encounter places to refill your water bottles. In short
a fantastic climb from Aosta ❤️

The most beautiful climb of the year. Never too difficult, magnificent landscapes. A 10-star descent.
Up at the tip the pond is very beautiful, there isn't too much traffic from the tunnel diversions onwards

Started in Étroubles, on the Italian side, so did not have to cycle long on the busy route. As soon as you turn right to the pass, and leave the through traffic behind you, you can cycle nice and easy. The first half is easy to do, the second half the altitude plays a role and it becomes more difficult. Beautiful surroundings!

Climb which becomes beautiful at the moment you leave the main road. Beautiful nature with magnificent views. Just make sure your pipe is not empty before the finale starts. I speak from experience 🥵

Very nice, unfortunately many motorcycles that cut you off the pass.
Beginning is on a busy road but once the roads split only cyclists, motorcycles and tourists remain.
At the top you have the hospice, definitely worth spending the night there!

Started from vallepine. Not really steep but long. Small piece before the pass on a busy road with freight traffic. Only a few km. Then up the pass, quiet and excellent road surface. The higher the better, at the top it can be cold.

Fantastic climb from Aosta (Italy), especially because the traffic goes through the tunnel and there are hardly any cars on the pass. The col has no big name and therefore not known to the masses of motorcyclists. In addition, this road was always very bad for cyclists, but a few years ago it was completely renovated. Perfect asphalt. Beautiful climb. If you think you have the top in sight, you are mistaken and get a delicious series of curves for you to choose.

Did a nice climb from camping grand combin in Valpelline. Was pretty quiet on the pass and the view was great.