Alpine Passes

Mountain Roads of Europe

Simplon Pass (Italian side)

Simplon Pass (Italian side)

Passo del Sempione

Italy · Piedmont

2,005m

Key Facts

Elevation
2,005m
Route length
28 km
Max gradient
9%
Hairpins
2
Driving difficulty
Moderate (2/5)
Surface
Good
Open
Year-round (may close temporarily in winter)

Route & Map

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Route

SSimplon Pass summit (CH border)
28 km · max 9%
Simplon Pass (Italian side) (2,005m)
Descent
EDomodossola
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Italian descent of the Simplon from the Swiss summit to Domodossola. Napoleon ordered this road built in 1800. Passes through the scenic Divedro gorge.

Weather & Conditions

Driving Experience

Elevation Profile

276m710m1,145m1,579m2,013m0 km10 km20 km30 km40 km2,013m
867m gain
2,587m loss
2,005m → 2,013m → 285m

Difficulty

Moderate

2/5 — car driving difficulty

Based on steepness, elevation gain, hairpins, road length & surface quality

Hairpin Turns

2

A few tight turns to keep it interesting

When to Drive

Year-round (best: July - September)

  • Open year-round, though winter conditions may require snow equipment.
  • Morning hours offer the best driving conditions with less traffic.
  • Snow may linger into June at this elevation. Check webcams before departing.

Coordinates

Summit
46.2508°N, 8.0347°E
Start (Simplon Pass summit (CH border))
46.2508°N, 8.0347°E
End (Domodossola)
46.1167°N, 8.2917°E
#historic#napoleon#border-crossing

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Image: Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 3.0