Gran San Bernardo hill has been an important transit point through the Alps since ancient times. In the Middle Ages it underwent great developments when it was used by merchants, clergymen and pilgrims heading for Rome. Over the centuries it has witnessed the passage of armies, including Napoleon’s, famous writers and tourists. Today it is a crossroad of international excursion itineraries: Via Francigena, the excursion itinerary that links Aosta with Martigny, the Tour des Combins, the transborder itineraries of Espace Mont-Blanc.

In Saint-Rhémy, take route 13B, which goes through the village and comes to a paved road, which heads towards Col Gran San Bernardo. Take this road on the left, and after 250 metres, leave it on the right for the dirt road that runs parallel to the stream, and gently gains altitude. Cross several streams until you come to route 13B, which goes off to the right and winds gently upwards.
Continue until you come to the point where the trail joins route 13, signposted as the ancient Napoleonic road, and from here, continue in the direction of Cantine (2203 m). Here the trail veers right onto the high-altitude meadows, and crosses the paved road several times on its way up to Plan de Jupiter and, along the paved road, towards Col Gran San Bernardo.
Nearby you will find the lake of the same name.