Passo Sempione

Passo Sempione is a mountain pass crossing the Pennine Alps, situated in Simplon region in the Swiss canton of Valais. The pass connects the Swiss villages of Gondo and the Simplon village on its northern side with the Italian town of Iselle di Trasquera in Piedmont on its southern side. The pass, with an elevation of 2,005 meters above sea level, is the lowest pass through the Alps between Switzerland and Italy. Passo Sempione is one of the few remaining passes that were used in Antiquity by the Romans to cross the Alps, as well as the most used pass of Napoleonic times. Its popularity is due to its gentle slopes and to the fact that the road connecting the Italian side of the pass with Brig in Switzerland is not steep and very well kept. On the pass, travelers can admire splendid views of the many mountain ranges surrounding the valley, such as the majestic Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and the Monte Leone. Various hiking trails start at the pass and are easy to access. One of the greatest attractions is the Simplon Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world, about 19.8 km (12.3 miles) long, situated just to the south of the pass. It is a great spot for nature lovers and ideal for a day trip or a weekend excursion.