Great St Bernard Hospice
1.3Hospice du Grand Saint-Bernard
2,470m
Valle d'Aosta, Italy
About
The hospice sits on the Swiss-Italian border at 2,470m on the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass. Access from the Italian side takes 4–5 hours on foot from Orsières (Switzerland) or roughly 6 hours from Bourg-Saint-Pierre. Most hikers approach via the classic Valpelline valley route from Staffal (roughly 4 hours). A cable car runs in summer from the lower parking area, cutting hiking time significantly. The terrain is exposed and windswept; weather changes fast here.
The hospice has hosted pilgrims and travellers since 1049 and still operates as a working monastery. You get 104 beds across simple rooms. Meals are available; half-board options work well for a one-night stop on a longer traverse. The pass is walkable year-round in summer and autumn, though snow blocks access December to May. The hospice staff manage the building and will tell you directly what's available.
Book by phone—this is not a typical rifugio. Call ahead 2–3 weeks before summer weekends (July–August) and a week or more for shoulder seasons. The hospice closes sporadically for religious observances, so confirm dates before travelling. Phone ahead: this hut works on its own schedule, not app-based systems. The setting—high pass, historic building, Swiss side access—makes it worth the planning effort.
The hospice has hosted pilgrims and travellers since 1049 and still operates as a working monastery. You get 104 beds across simple rooms. Meals are available; half-board options work well for a one-night stop on a longer traverse. The pass is walkable year-round in summer and autumn, though snow blocks access December to May. The hospice staff manage the building and will tell you directly what's available.
Book by phone—this is not a typical rifugio. Call ahead 2–3 weeks before summer weekends (July–August) and a week or more for shoulder seasons. The hospice closes sporadically for religious observances, so confirm dates before travelling. Phone ahead: this hut works on its own schedule, not app-based systems. The setting—high pass, historic building, Swiss side access—makes it worth the planning effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season (July-August) by calling the hospice directly or checking rifugio booking sites; it's a popular pass crossing so weekends fill fast.
Open roughly June through September, depending on snow conditions; the cable car operates in summer months, but confirm current dates before planning.
From Staffal (Italian side) the hike takes about 4 hours; the summer cable car cuts this significantly, or approach from Switzerland via Bourg-Saint-Pierre (6 hours) or Orsières (4-5 hours).
Meals (dinner, breakfast, packed lunch) are provided; 104 beds available with basic mountain hut accommodation, but verify shower availability when booking as facilities are simple at this elevation.
The summer cable car makes it accessible for families and less experienced hikers, but the pass terrain is exposed and weather is unpredictable—bring windproof layers and be prepared for sudden conditions.
Quick Facts
- Season
- –
- Total
- 104
- Dormitory
- Emergency
- Private rooms
Facilities
Breakfast
Meals served
Drinking water
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- +41 27 787 12 36
- Website
- https://gsbernard.com/