📷 Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and if you want send me a message. or…, CC BY-SA 3.0 atSan Bernardino Pass
San Bernardino, Switzerland
A 2,065 m pass above the A13 tunnel, with a small lake and rocky knolls at the top and quiet hairpins on both sides. The pass road is closed in winter, the tunnel is open all year.
The San Bernardino Pass in the Swiss canton of Graubünden links the Hinterrhein valley with the Misox (Mesolcina) and reaches about 2,065 metres. In the 15th century the route was a mule track, the first carriage road opened in 1770 and was greatly improved in 1821 to 1823. The A13 tunnel opened in 1967, and the pass road has seen far less traffic since. At the top lies the small Marscholsee at 2,053 metres.
The pass road has a maximum gradient of 9.7 per cent. According to Ticino Turismo it is closed in winter from December to April, while Wikipedia says it is open only from May to November (as of October 2026: check the current status beforehand). The tunnel is open all year. It is about 50 kilometres from San Bernardino to Bellinzona.
- Nearest town
- San Bernardino, Switzerland
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 46.4959, 9.1712
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually July. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and August–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and if you want send me a message. or… · CC BY-SA 3.0 atViamala Gorge
© Zacharie Grossen · CC BY-SA 4.0Soglio
© JoachimKohler-HB · CC BY-SA 4.0Castelgrande, Bellinzona
© Diriye Amey from Locarno, Switzerland · CC BY 2.0Valle Verzasca
Campsites nearby
- Camping SplügenCampsite12 km from San Bernardino PassTentsCaravansDrinking waterWi-Fi
- Campodolcino CampingCampsite16 km from San Bernardino Pass · 167 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricity
- Stellplatz Hotel SeeblickMotorhome stopover17 km from San Bernardino Pass · 6 pitchesMotorhomesElectricity
- Prato della MondaCampsite19 km from San Bernardino PassTentsDrinking waterWi-Fi
- Bodhi CampingCampsite22 km from San Bernardino PassShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Andeer - Sut BaselgiaCampsite23 km from San Bernardino Pass · 155 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is San Bernardino Pass?
San Bernardino Pass is in San Bernardino, Switzerland, at GPS 46.4959, 9.1712. It is about 4 km from Hinterrhein.
Can you camp near San Bernardino Pass?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is San Bernardino, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 24 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass San Bernardino Pass?
San Bernardino Pass is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rhine Gorge, Viamala and San Bernardino to Bellinzona.
What is there to see near San Bernardino Pass?
Places worth a stop nearby: Viamala Gorge (28 km), Soglio (33 km), Castelgrande, Bellinzona (36 km) and Valle Verzasca (37 km).
When is the best time to visit San Bernardino Pass?
The most pleasant months are usually July. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and August–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)