- Summit
- 2,065 m
- Length
- 17 km
- Climb
- 445 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Status
Closed for winter (demo)
Opening expected 1–26 May · estimate based on 4 past seasons
Notify me when San Bernardino opens
Push or email on the day the daily check reports San Bernardino open.
Rating
Two separate values: how good the pass is to ride in general, and how nice it is today.
Passklar rating from route data
Data coverage 72% · Calculated from data, not rider reviews. How we rate
Today's rating from weather and pass status
Closed
No stars for today while the pass is closed or its status is unknown.
As of 21:56 · Always confirm with official road info before riding.
Sample dataLive view
Webcam images around the summit and the latest measured temperature. Images only show one spot; they do not replace official road information.
Last measured: 5.0 °C at San Bernardino (1,639 m), · Source: DEMO (keine echte Messung)
Demo webcamImage older than 2 h
Demo webcamImage older than 2 h
Demo webcamImage older than 2 h
Valley vs summit forecast
Valley and summit side by side, so you pack for the top, not for the car park. Sample data
| Day | Valley | Summit (estimated) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| min / max °C | Rain | min / max °C | Rain | Wind | |
| Sat 31 Oct | 4 / 8 | 90% · 14.7 mm | 1 / 5 | 90% · 14.7 mm | 43 km/h |
| Sun 1 Nov | 2 / 8 | 90% · 5.9 mm | −2 / 5 | 90% · 5.9 mm | 42 km/h |
| Mon 2 Nov | −2 / 5 | 90% · 12.6 mm | −5 / 2 | 90% · 12.6 mm | 43 km/h |
| Tue 3 Nov | 1 / 6 | 10% · 0.0 mm | −2 / 3 | 10% · 0.0 mm | 54 km/h |
Weather: Demo data (not a forecast). Summit values marked “est.” are estimated from the valley at 0.65 °C per 100 m. Summit values are estimated from the valley forecast (0.65 °C per 100 m). No summit station nearby.Updated 30 Oct 2026, 21:56
feels like −6 °C at 60 km/h · hourly forecast · Wind up to 32 km/h (San Bernardinopass) · Summit arrival about 09:00
Tyres are cold – take the first kilometres gently
Show all tips (26)
- Tyres & road SafetyAir near freezing: wet patches can freeze, especially on shaded stretches, bridges and dips. If there is ice, do not ride. Rule of thumb
- Tyres & road SafetyTyres are cold – take the first kilometres gently. Build up braking and acceleration gradually over the first 10 minutes, and again after every break. Rule of thumb
- Tyres & road SafetyCold lowers tyre pressure: check it before you leave, with cold tyres. Rule of thumb
- Tyres & road SafetyWet roads: tread depth matters most now. Brake before the corner, not in it. Rule of thumb
- Tyres & road SafetyAutumn: wet leaves make the road very slippery. Hoarfrost in the morning, and moisture in shaded spots all day. Tyre grip drops in cooler temperatures. ifz.de (opens in a new tab)
- Visor SafetyPinlock or anti-fog visor. Rule of thumb Compare 2 matching products →
- Visor SafetyFog-free visor: double-walled (Pinlock) or anti-fog coated visor, or anti-fog spray. Rule of thumb Compare 2 matching products →
- Visor SafetyLow autumn sun and fog banks: a sun visor or sunglasses help against glare, but take them off at dusk. Slow down when the sun dazzles you. ifz.de (opens in a new tab) Compare 2 matching products →
- Gloves SafetyWinter gloves with liners. Rule of thumb
- Gloves SafetyWaterproof (membrane) gloves, plus a dry spare pair. Rule of thumb
- Gloves SafetyWaterproof winter gloves; carry a dry spare pair. Rule of thumb
- Jacket SafetyFull winter layering: thermal liner, windproof outer, all vents closed. Rule of thumb Our pick: Sella Transalp Jacket →
- Jacket SafetyLaminate jacket, or wear the rain oversuit from the start. A zip-in or drop-liner membrane keeps you dry, but the outer shell soaks up water. Rule of thumb Compare 2 matching products →
- Pants SafetyLaminate pants or rain overpants. Rule of thumb View
- Base layer SafetyThermal underwear top and bottom. Rule of thumb
- Mid layer SafetyThick mid layer. Rule of thumb
- Mid layer SafetyEarly on the summit is the coldest part of the day. Wear a layer you can take off in the valley later. Rule of thumb
- Neck SafetyBalaclava. Rule of thumb
- Heated gear SafetyHeated vest, gloves or grips strongly recommended. Rule of thumb
- Boots SafetyWaterproof boots; pants over the boot top. Rule of thumb
- Rain suit SafetyRain oversuit on before it starts, not at the first drops. Rule of thumb
- Rain suit SafetyWet and cold together chill fastest. Keep the outer layer waterproof and the layers underneath dry. Rule of thumb
- Riding SafetyConsider a later start: the summit is usually warmer around midday. Check the ice rule below. Rule of thumb
- Riding SafetyRide smoother, brake more gently and finish braking before you turn in. Rule of thumb
- Riding SafetyAvoid hard acceleration, big lean angles and hard braking. ifz.de (opens in a new tab)
- Riding SafetyOnce autumn sets in, many passes close for snow. Check pass status the same morning. tcs.ch (opens in a new tab)
TyresSwiss law: at least 1.6 mm tread depth across the whole tread (VTS Art. 58). The wear indicator on motorcycle tyres sits at only 0.8 mm, so do not rely on it. TCS recommends at least 2 mm at the start of the season. For cold-season rides, the ifz recommends not letting tread drop below 4 mm. For pass touring, touring and sport-touring tyres (high-silica compounds) are the better fit: they warm up quickly and grip in the wet. Track and race tyres work only inside a high temperature window and are not suited to cold, wet mountain roads; slicks are not road-legal. Use the tyre pressures set by your motorcycle maker (owner's manual or sticker), checked with cold tyres. If your manual lists values for riding with a passenger or luggage, use those. The maximum pressure on the sidewall is not a riding pressure. Tyre age: the last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year of manufacture (4521 = week 45, 2021). Tyre makers advise a yearly check by a professional from 5 years of use and replacing tyres older than 10 years, even if they look fine. New tyres: ride gently for the first 100 km (gentle acceleration and braking, low lean angles). In cold weather this takes longer. Switzerland has no winter tyre obligation, but your vehicle must be roadworthy for the conditions (Art. 29 SVG). Tyres unsuited to winter conditions can mean a fine and problems with your insurer. Tyre makers advise against riding a motorcycle on snow or ice. Visor without cracks or scratches that affect your view. TCS suggests thinking about a new helmet after five to seven years. More on tyres
Swiss law: at least 1.6 mm tread depth across the whole tread (VTS Art. 58). The wear indicator on motorcycle tyres sits at only 0.8 mm, so do not rely on it. bfu.ch (opens in a new tab)
TCS recommends at least 2 mm at the start of the season. For cold-season rides, the ifz recommends not letting tread drop below 4 mm. tcs.ch (opens in a new tab)
For pass touring, touring and sport-touring tyres (high-silica compounds) are the better fit: they warm up quickly and grip in the wet. Track and race tyres work only inside a high temperature window and are not suited to cold, wet mountain roads; slicks are not road-legal. michelinman.com (opens in a new tab)
Use the tyre pressures set by your motorcycle maker (owner's manual or sticker), checked with cold tyres. If your manual lists values for riding with a passenger or luggage, use those. The maximum pressure on the sidewall is not a riding pressure. michelin.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Tyre age: the last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year of manufacture (4521 = week 45, 2021). Tyre makers advise a yearly check by a professional from 5 years of use and replacing tyres older than 10 years, even if they look fine. michelinman.com (opens in a new tab)
New tyres: ride gently for the first 100 km (gentle acceleration and braking, low lean angles). In cold weather this takes longer. michelin.com.au (opens in a new tab)
Switzerland has no winter tyre obligation, but your vehicle must be roadworthy for the conditions (Art. 29 SVG). Tyres unsuited to winter conditions can mean a fine and problems with your insurer. Tyre makers advise against riding a motorcycle on snow or ice. tcs.ch (opens in a new tab)
Visor without cracks or scratches that affect your view. TCS suggests thinking about a new helmet after five to seven years. tcs.ch (opens in a new tab)
Event closures
Cycling races, hill climbs and other events that close the pass fully or partly.
No known closures for events.
Opening history
Estimate based on 4 past seasons: the middle half (25th–75th percentile) of past opening days.
- Median opening
- 14 May
- Earliest
- 28 Apr
- Latest
- 28 May
- Median closing
- 10 Nov
Usually opens: late April / May (2022–2025: 28 Apr – 28 May)
Usually closes: November
Sources (4)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 May | 3 Nov | alpen-paesse.ch (opens in a new tab) |
| 2024 | 24 May | 15 Nov | alpen-paesse.ch (opens in a new tab) |
| 2023 | 28 Apr | 10 Nov | alpen-paesse.ch (opens in a new tab) |
| 2022 | 2 May | 11 Nov | alpen-paesse.ch (opens in a new tab) |
Elevation profile
Quiet old pass road above the A13 tunnel, lakes and moorland at the summit; little traffic because through traffic uses the tunnel.
Today’s high on top
5°
San Bernardinopass · 2,065 m · 8° down in Hinterrhein · estimated
| Station | km | Altitude | Temp. vs start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinterrhein | 0.0 | 1,620 m | ±0 °C |
| San Bernardinopass | 9.0 | 2,065 m | −3 °C |
| San Bernardino | 17.0 | 1,608 m | ±0 °C |
Difficulty: Moderate
- Max gradient
- 10%
- Road width
- Narrow
- Traffic
- Low
- Winter
- Closed in winter
Max 9.7%; max vehicle width 2.3 m and 18 t (signage) indicates a narrow road. Short (17 km). Low traffic.
Sources: alpen-paesse.ch (opens in a new tab)
Noise limits and bans within 60 km
No listed restriction within 60 km.
Along the way: views, food, fuel
Viewpoints, places to eat, fuel and places to stay on the pass road, by km from Hinterrhein. Sample data
- View 1
- Food & drink 1
- Fuel 0
- Stay 0
-
7.9 km
Demo-Aussicht 4 Demo Viewpoint
- Season
- open access
- Opening hours
- unknown
- Source
- Demo entry (placeholder for OSM)
-
9.0 km
Ristorante Ospizio San Bernardino Restaurant Restaurant on the pass (Passo del San Bernardino 46). Seasonal in summer: May to October daily 09:00–19:00.
- Season
- May–October
Check the season and opening hours with the business before you ride; no guarantee. Permanently closed places are hidden. Opening hours as in OpenStreetMap – check with the business.
Data: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Entries «Demo-…» are invented placeholders for the preview, not real places. The monthly OpenStreetMap update replaces them with real entries.
On the map
Sources
- https://alpen-paesse.ch/en/alpenpaesse/san-bernardinopass/ (opens in a new tab)
- Source: Demo data (not real pass status)
Weather: Demo data (not a forecast). Summit values marked “est.” are estimated from the valley at 0.65 °C per 100 m.Updated 30 Oct 2026, 21:56
Always confirm with official road info before riding. Official road info: the cantonal road offices and national traffic information.