Simplon – the most beautiful Alpine pass
The Simplon Pass is one of the most important crossings in the Alps. Many things are named after it, including a bike manufacturer, hotels, restaurants, campsites and even a bank. Find out what the Simplon Pass has to offer on this page.
You can find information on whether the Simplon Pass road is accessible to vehicles in the status report.
At 2,005 metres above sea level, the Simplon Pass connects Switzerland with Domodossola in Italy, starting from Brig in the Valais. Open all year round, the pass is praised as one of the most beautiful Alpine crossings. The 9-metre-tall Simplon eagle stands as a symbol of vigilance in memory of the ‘Guard on the Simplon Pass’ during the Second World War. For hikers, the Simplon Pass offers fantastic mountain views and scenic routes in summer and winter.
The village of Simplon is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. Its stone rooftops are strongly reminiscent of nearby Italy, and the village centre is surrounded by historical buildings. This tranquil mountain village is home to a traditional bakery, an Alpine dairy, hotels and restaurants.
Want to get to know Simplon better? You can book a traditional guided tour of the village or listen to a goatherd tell stories from the past during the ‘Simpilär Dorfgschichte’ (Simplon village tales).
The Simplon Pass offers a huge selection of hiking options on its 140-km network of signposted trails and plenty of quiet places to relax. What’s more, you can enjoy the pristine natural surroundings, the high moor and delightful flora and fauna.
Would you like to get an overview of the Simplon Pass? On the Simplon Bergalpe circular trail, you hike through the high-moor landscape, passing lakes on the way to historical and impressive buildings from days gone by.
On the Simplon Pass and in the Alps around Simplon, there are several hotels, holiday rentals and group accommodation options that you can book for your stay.
The village of Simplon is known for its Valais rye bread and its raclette cheese is award-winning. You’ll be met with quality, friendliness and good service in the restaurants here.
Polenta festival, winter magic and castagnata - culture is lived and celebrated in Simplon.
Snowshoeing, ski touring, winter hiking, cross-country skiing and snowkiting are among the most popular winter sports activities on the Simplon Pass in winter. Thanks to its topography and high altitude, snow is guaranteed on the Simplon Pass. And yet, thanks to the hard work of the road crew, the A9 motorway in Simplon remains open (almost) all year round. Whether in your own private vehicle or by PostBus, getting to the Simplon Pass is not a problem even in winter.
