Bourg St Maurice to Col du Petit Saint Bernard

Also known as Little St Bernard Pass, this col is one of the more accessible routes at under 30km

featured in Cycling Routes Updated 7 April 2025

The area around Bourg St Maurice has the largest number of cols in the Tarentaise Valley.

Col du Petit Saint Bernard

With <1,400m of climbing, it has an average gradient of less than 5%. One of the most popular routes, it's ideal for riders looking for a steady, long climb without a brutal gradient.

A beautiful alpine climb, it links Bourg-Saint-Maurice to La Thuile in Italy via gentle gradients, sweeping bends and panoramic views.

From Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Distance: ~26.5 km
Elevation gain: ~1,955m
Average gradient: ~5% (but steeper in sections)

Key features:

starting from Bourg-St-Maurice, the climb follows the D1090, beginning gently and winding through alpine pastures and forests
the route goes through numerous small hamlets and ski resorts, including La Rosière, a great stop off spot
after La Rosière the route has long, sweeping switchbacks and views of Mont Blanc and the Tarentaise Valley
at the summit you'll find a large stone column, a food truck or café in summer months

Worth knowing

Cycling conditions and tips

the road is usually open from late May to October, depending on snow conditions
traffic is moderate in summer, with motorbikes and campervans, but shouldn't be overwhelming
weather can change rapidly, so proper gear is essential
there are limited water and food stops, and nothing at the summit, so plan accordingly
the descent can be cold and fast, so be prepared with warm clothing