Great St Bernard Tour :: Hiking and trekking in the Swiss and Italian Alps

Today begins our adventure in the Alps. In this first day of hike, we become familiar with the terrain. But watch out, because we are going to experience the rigors of the Alps, as well as experiencing the history that offers the Great St Bernard Pass.

Between the hospice and us we have 5 hours of walk and a mountain pass at 2700 meters. A clear incentive of day is to think that we are following the route of Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, and Napoleon, that with an army of 46,000 men crossed to Italy in 1800, with the Great San Bernardo Pass still covered with snow.

History continues accompanying us once we reach the hospice. Here the monks have trained during centuries the St Bernard dogs to guide and to rescue travelers and pilgrims in the hard and long winter of the region.

• Day 2 – From Bourg-St-Pierre to the Great St Bernard Pass, 5-hour march.

A few minutes walk from the hospice, and we leave Switzerland to enter in Italy.

Today’s hike is demanding: ahead of us we have three mountain passes at high altitude: 2450, 2800, and 2930 meters. It is without doubt the hardest stage of the entire route, but equally filled with spectacular and wild landscapes. Due to the altitude, we will not see vegetation in all the day, and the Alps show us their imposing rocky walls. Also we will have clear views of the Italian and Swiss Alps, and we will see, in the distance, some four thousands peaks, such as the Great Paradiso and the Grand Combin.

The arrival to the refuge doesn’t do more than to increase the spectacular views: in front of us the Grandes Jorasses and the Mont Blanc reveal themselves.

• Day 3 – Hiking in Switzerland and Italy, 8-hour march.

Day 4 – A stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc

Today our route converges with the Tour du Mont Blanc. In the morning we see how the first sunrays illuminate the south slopes of the Mont Blanc massive. We have spectacular views of the glaciers that run down to the valley and of eternal snow-covered tops like the Dolent, which makes border with three countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Today we must surpass only one mountain pass at 2500 meters and, on the other side, we will return to Switzerland, leaving Italy behind.

We spend the night in a pleasant refuge, down in the valley. From here we can see, among others, the glaciers of the Dolant and l'A Neuve. Also we can examine the impressive ascent that awaits for us tomorrow.

• Day 4 – Hiking in Switzerland and Italy, 6-hour march.

Day 5 – Hiking among edelweiss

Today we attack with conviction the 1200 meters climb to the Col of Basset. The intense effort of the ascent is mitigated thanks to the aerial views of the Alps. As we gain altitude, several mountain chains will appear one after the other: the Mont Blanc, the Great Combin, Grandes Jorasses, the Dents du Midi, and the Muverans. In addition, this ascent has the prize of seeing edelweiss in its wild state. This small flower is one of the symbols of Switzerland, and because of their fragility and the specific environmental conditions they need, to find them in nature is an event by itself.

We do the descend through the natural reserve of La Combe de l’A. We spend the night in an isolated and cozy mountain refuge.

• Day 5 – Hiking among edelweiss in the Swiss Alps, 5-hour march.

Day 6 – Hiking with animals

Today it is our last day of adventure, but we have still a few hours of surprises.

We wake up early. Our destination is Bourg-St-Pierre and to arrive there we use a path very little frequented; it is so little frequented that in some parts we will have to make the path ourselves. Indeed, due to the little passage of people, the animals consider this zone a true paradise, and with a bit of luck we will see wild goats, red deers, marmots, and even foxes.

Our adventure finishes when arriving at Bourg-St-Pierre. From there we set off to the airport of Geneva, arriving on 14h, wherewe bid farewell until our next adventure together.

• Day 6 – Hiking with animals, 4-hours march. Arrival at Geneva airport at 14 hours.


Day 1 – From Geneva to Bourg-St-Pierre Meet at 15:30 hours at the Geneva Airport. From here we go to the Swiss Canton of Valais. It is a great opportunity to get a first glance of the Swiss Alps and contemplate Lake Leman. Soon we leave the Rhone valley behind and start gaining height quickly. In little more than 1h30, we arrive at Bourg-St-Pierre. Here we check our equipment, we get an idea of how the group works in the mountain and we analyze the route that will occupy the next few days.
Day 2 – From Bourg-St-Pierre to the Great St Bernard Pass Today begins our adventure in the Alps. In this first day of hike, we become familiar with the terrain. But watch out, because we are going to experience the rigors of the Alps, as well as experiencing the history that offers the Great St Bernard Pass. Between the hospice and us we have 5 hours of walk and a mountain pass at 2700 meters. A clear incentive of day is to think that we are following the route of Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, and Napoleon, that with an army of 46,000 men crossed to Italy in 1800, with the Great San Bernardo Pass still covered with snow. History continues accompanying us once we reach the hospice. Here the monks have trained during centuries the St Bernard dogs to guide and to rescue travelers and pilgrims in the hard and long winter of the region. • Day 2 – From Bourg-St-Pierre to the Great St Bernard Pass, 5-hour march. Day 3 – From Switzerland to Italy A few minutes walk from the hospice, and we leave Switzerland to enter in Italy. Today’s hike is demanding: ahead of us we have three mountain passes at high altitude: 2450, 2800, and 2930 meters. It is without doubt the hardest stage of the entire route, but equally filled with spectacular and wild landscapes. Due to the altitude, we will not see vegetation in all the day, and the Alps show us their imposing rocky walls. Also we will have clear views of the Italian and Swiss Alps, and we will see, in the distance, some four thousands peaks, such as the Great Paradiso and the Grand Combin. The arrival to the refuge doesn’t do more than to increase the spectacular views: in front of us the Grandes Jorasses and the Mont Blanc reveal themselves. • Day 3 – Hiking in Switzerland and Italy, 8-hour march. Day 4 – A stage of the Tour du Mont Blanc Today our route converges with the Tour du Mont Blanc. In the morning we see how the first sunrays illuminate the south slopes of the Mont Blanc massive. We have spectacular views of the glaciers that run down to the valley and of eternal snow-covered tops like the Dolent, which makes border with three countries: France, Switzerland, and Italy. Today we must surpass only one mountain pass at 2500 meters and, on the other side, we will return to Switzerland, leaving Italy behind. We spend the night in a pleasant refuge, down in the valley. From here we can see, among others, the glaciers of the Dolant and l'A Neuve. Also we can examine the impressive ascent that awaits for us tomorrow. • Day 4 – Hiking in Switzerland and Italy, 6-hour march. Day 5 – Hiking among edelweiss Today we attack with conviction the 1200 meters climb to the Col of Basset. The intense effort of the ascent is mitigated thanks to the aerial views of the Alps. As we gain altitude, several mountain chains will appear one after the other: the Mont Blanc, the Great Combin, Grandes Jorasses, the Dents du Midi, and the Muverans. In addition, this ascent has the prize of seeing edelweiss in its wild state. This small flower is one of the symbols of Switzerland, and because of their fragility and the specific environmental conditions they need, to find them in nature is an event by itself. We do the descend through the natural reserve of La Combe de l’A. We spend the night in an isolated and cozy mountain refuge. • Day 5 – Hiking among edelweiss in the Swiss Alps, 5-hour march. Day 6 – Hiking with animals Today it is our last day of adventure, but we have still a few hours of surprises. We wake up early. Our destination is Bourg-St-Pierre and to arrive there we use a path very little frequented; it is so little frequented that in some parts we will have to make the path ourselves. Indeed, due to the little passage of people, the animals consider this zone a true paradise, and with a bit of luck we will see wild goats, red deers, marmots, and even foxes. Our adventure finishes when arriving at Bourg-St-Pierre. From there we set off to the airport of Geneva, arriving on 14h, wherewe bid farewell until our next adventure together. • Day 6 – Hiking with animals, 4-hours march. Arrival at Geneva airport at 14 hours.
The price includes: • Airport transfer from and to Geneva; • 5 nights in mountain refuges with half board; • All meals in the form of picnics; • Service of the guide for the entire route; • Mountain rescue insurance. The price does not include: • Airfare (for recommendations, click here); • Beverages; • Medical insurance. Minimum group : 3 persons Maximum group : 10 persons Meeting point : Geneva, Switzerland. More details upon booking. Sign up now

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