Alpine Passes

Mountain Roads of Europe

Simplon Pass

Simplon Pass

Simplonpass / Passo del Sempione

Switzerland · Valais

2,005m

Key Facts

Elevation
2,005m
Route length
37 km
Max gradient
10%
Hairpins
6
Driving difficulty
Challenging (3/5)
Surface
Excellent
Open
Year-round (may close briefly in winter)

Route & Map

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Route

SBrig
37 km · max 10%
Simplon Pass (2,005m)
Descent
EGondo
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Major crossing between Switzerland and Italy. Napoleon ordered the road's construction in 1800. Broad, well-graded curves and a historic hospice at the summit. Open almost year-round.

Weather & Conditions

Driving Experience

Elevation Profile

677m1,011m1,345m1,679m2,013m0 km10 km20 km30 km40 km2,013m
1,701m gain
1,545m loss
682m → 2,013m → 838m

Difficulty

Challenging

3/5 — car driving difficulty

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

Hairpin Turns

6

Plenty of switchbacks to test your line

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 (Brig)
46.3167°N, 7.9878°E
End (Gondo)
46.1953°N, 8.1372°E
#historic#napoleon#year-round#scenic

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Image: Olga Ernst / CC BY-SA 4.0