One of our favorite ways to explore Europe is on road trips. We come across so many places we never would have had we hopped on a plane or even taken the train from point A to B. Simplon Pass, which connects Valais in Switzerland with the Divedro Valley and Domodossola in Northern Italy, is one of those places.
As we approached Simplon Pass, the cloudy, overcast skies from the last few days in Zermatt just seemed to melt away. The Bernese Alps stretched glistening white up toward brilliant blue sky. It was such a stunning panorama, we couldn’t not stop to take in these views.
Aside from the beautiful views, Simplon Pass has a long history. It was even used during the Stone Age. The pass was used as a route for smugglers and mercenaries up until the 17th century because Roman architects considered the narrow Gondo Gorge to be impassible.
The Brig merchant prince Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper began using Simplon Pass around the mid 17th century to bring salt from the Mediterranean on mules backs and the trade made him very rich. It wasn’t until Napoleon wanted to bring his cannons through the pass though, that a road suitable for vehicles was built. Ironically, Napoleon’s power crumbled before his armies could ever actually use the pass. The railway followed just over 100 hundred years later in 1906.
We stopped on the summit of the pass, where at 2005 meters high, the Hospiz of the Bernardine monks sits nestled amongst the snowy peaks. An eight-meter-high stone eagle, built by Erwin Friedrich Baumannover as a symbol of the mountain brigade, stands watch over the pass reminds visitors of World War II.
Would you like to live here?
A close up of the cabin in the snow
Tim jokingly asked if I thought we could snowshoe across (and we did have our snowshoes in the boot of the car). Maybe not, but the Stockalper Trail (Stockalperweg) might be a possibility in summer. It’s a 35-kilometer long, fully preserved Simplon mule-trail from the 17th century that is a culturally important, historic hiking route from Brig over the Simplon Pass to Gondo and is typically hiked in 2 – 3 days.
If you’re not into hiking, the route still makes the list of the most scenic drives in Switzerland and is indeed a beautiful spot to stop for a bit.
On the car train at St. Gotthard Pass
Know Before You Go
- Despite the best efforts of the Swiss Department of Highways, Simplon Pass is often impassible between December and May; when the pass is closed, vehicles are carried through the 19.8 kilometer long Simplon Tunnel on the Brig–Iselle di Trasquere car train.
- The Brig–Iselle di Trasquere car trains accepts Euro, Swiss Francs, or chip-and-pin credit/debit cards. Fare is 22 CHF for a single ticket. Check the timetable for Brig–Iselle di Trasquere.
- Restaurants can be found in the nearby village of Simplon-Dorf.
Andrea says
Gorgeous! That bridge traffic doesn’t look fun though
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely a gorgeous drive, Andrea. The photo was on the car train at one of the passes that the road was not open. Our first time ever on a car train and it was kind of fun!
Cathy Sweeney says
Yes, I’d like to live in that cabin — for a little while anyway. What a beautiful drive and sights along the way. Glad you shared this one with us.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Snow shoes are a requirement for living in that cabin in winter! It is a truly stunning location though and I hope we can make it back to hike in the summer.
Ali says
Gorgeous! And no I could not handle living in that cabin in the middle of nowhere! Maybe a weekend stay or something.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I think that cabin would definitely be romantic for a weekend. I’m not sure I could handle being snowed in for a long time in the winter either. I’d get cabin fever!
Leigh says
What an amazing day you had for your drive – simply gorgeous. What a lot of snow to shovel though.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It was a gorgeous day, at least at the pass. It’s too bad we didn’t have such nice weather in Zermatt. Ah well, just reason to go back and hopefully see the Matterhorn !
Harry Cadle says
I’d add the Furka Pass, Klausen Pass and the Susten Pass together with the Stelvio Pass in Italy as well worth a visit.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Great suggestions! We drove in the direction of the Furka Pass on the way to Zermatt and it looked like a beautiful area.
Bob Whelan says
Will see for myself next Sept. (2013) when returning to Ireland….
Meanwhile….buon Viaggio. Bob Whelan
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It should be quite green when you make the drive. Enjoy!
Kirsten @ Green Global Travel says
This looks like such an amazing trip. What a view! great pictures.
consuelo says
I am looking at the Simplon pass becasue I want to avoid tunnels for claustrophobia reasons. So, outside of winter months (dec/may in the Apls), can people ALWAYS drive?? I really WOULDN’T want to go in any tunnel…
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Hi Consuelo,
I hate to tell you this, but it’s impossible to drive in the Alps without going in tunnels. Even the trains go in tunnels. The Simplon Pass still has tunnels, both fully enclosed and some with an open side that you can see out of.
Alan Thomas says
Hi Jennifer, I know it’s a few years since you posted this but if you can advise us it would be great. we will be taking the Simplon pass in a few weeks from Orta to Iterlaken in our motorhome which is 8 metres long. is the journey safe for that size of vehicle? thank you in anticipation. Alan & Marion Thomas