Simplonpass
MODERATE (1.9/10)Alter Spittel → Kulm
Use this route
The walk, as far as the open data goes
Height and time
- High point 2,056 m
- Low point 1,884 m
- Climb 464 m from a 30 m terrain model, smoothed
- Swiss signpost time 3 h 42 the official method, on our line
Computed on 2026-09-20 from OpenStreetMap, the terrain model and the federal route layer — not read from the operator's own page, and not checked on the ground. Hikes we have reviewed say who published each fact and when.
Explore the route
Read the topography, inspect the climb, or preview the route over real terrain.
Route briefing
What comes next
Climbs, descents and decisive places in route order. Not listed does not mean absent: it may not be mapped.
Start
0 m
Alter Spittel
Start
Route geometry · source 2026-04-10
About 0 min in
11.8 km remaining
+464 m remaining
Climb
500 m
160 m climb
1.9 km at 8.4% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-04-10
About 10 min in
11.3 km remaining
+464 m remaining
Descent
3.4 km
79 m descent
0.9 km at 9.0% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-04-10
About 1h 07m in
8.4 km remaining
+281 m remaining
Climb
4.3 km
103 m climb
1.3 km at 8.1% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-04-10
About 1h 25m in
7.5 km remaining
+277 m remaining
Descent
5.5 km
149 m descent
1.9 km at 7.9% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-04-10
About 1h 50m in
6.3 km remaining
+170 m remaining
Climb
7.4 km
107 m climb
1.9 km at 5.5% average
OpenStreetMap route data · source 2026-04-10
About 2h 27m in
4.4 km remaining
+162 m remaining
Finish
11.8 km
Kulm
Finish
Route geometry · source 2026-04-10
About 3h 54m in
0 m remaining
Trail route lab
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Simplonpass is a 11.8 km point-to-point moderate hiking route in Switzerland, running from Alter Spittel to Kulm. The route covers 464m of ascent and 431m of descent, with elevations ranging from 1,884m to 2,054m. Allow approximately 3h 54m for the full route.
The route is divided into 2 segments. The toughest stretch is the 7.1 km from Alter Spittel to Tochuhorn, climbing 318m.
With 88% of the route below 15% gradient, strong trail runners can maintain a good rhythm for much of the distance. The steepest pitches reach 36% gradient.
Budget roughly 1,923 kcal of energy expenditure and 2.3 L of water.
Mid-altitude route up to 2054m. Accessible May–October.
Trail Splits
Waypoint-to-waypoint breakdown with estimated hiking times (Naismith's Rule).
| Segment | Dist | ↑ Ascent | ↓ Descent | Time | Cum. km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
📍 Alter Spittel → Tochuhorn | 7.1 km | +318m | -282m | 2h 10m | 7.1 |
⛰️ Tochuhorn → Kulm | 6.4 km | +197m | -149m | 1h 43m | 13.5 |
| Total | 11.8 km | +464m | -431m | 3h 54m | 11.8 |
Pace & Fuel Calculator
Adjust your flat 10K pace to see personalized finish time, calorie burn, and hydration needs.
Terrain Analysis
Surface & Technicality
Gradient describes steepness, not exposure, scrambling, footing or current conditions. Technical difficulty is unknown where no mapped rating is available.
Tree cover and UV
☀️ Little to hide under. About 43% of the route is above the treeline, so wherever the terrain is not shading you there is nothing else to. Sunscreen, a hat and extra water.
Canopy is inferred from elevation against a 2000 m Alpine treeline and from gradient below it, not from observed tree data — treat it as an estimate. It is a different question from the terrain shade above, which is about whether a mountain is between you and the sun at a given time.
Current Conditions
Based on 1991–2020 climate averages, the weather on Simplonpass is usually best from May to September. Snow is likely at the high point (2056 m) in December to April.
Weather this week
Loading the forecast for low point (1,884 m) and high point (2,056 m)…
Weather by month
Typical weather on this trail: at the lowest point (1,884 m) and the highest point (2,056 m). Select a month to see why it is rated as it is.
| Month | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | Poor | Poor | Poor | Poor | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Mixed | Poor | Poor |
| High point, day / night | -1°/-8° | -1°/-9° | 1°/-6° | 4°/-3° | 10°/2° | 14°/6° | 16°/7° | 16°/7° | 11°/4° | 8°/1° | 2°/-3° | 0°/-7° |
| Low point, day / night | 0°/-7° | 0°/-8° | 2°/-5° | 5°/-2° | 10°/2° | 14°/6° | 16°/8° | 16°/8° | 12°/5° | 9°/2° | 4°/-2° | 1°/-6° |
| Rain, mm | 65 | 54 | 68 | 84 | 95 | 84 | 76 | 84 | 77 | 101 | 112 | 76 |
| Snow at high point | Likely | Likely | Likely | Likely | Frost | – | – | – | – | Possible | Possible | Likely |
| Daylight | 8 h 59 | 10 h 19 | 11 h 49 | 13 h 30 | 14 h 56 | 15 h 46 | 15 h 28 | 14 h 14 | 12 h 38 | 11 h | 9 h 29 | 8 h 39 |
Source: TerraClimate 1991–2020 monthly averages. Averages for the area at each point’s elevation (4 km grid, corrected for height). Not a forecast or a report of current trail conditions. These values describe the whole trail's lowest and highest points. Snow at the high point is estimated with a simple snowpack model from these temperatures and precipitation, not observed; steep islands and high summits can hold more snow than it shows. Daylight is for the 15th of each month. Hut, transport and park seasons are separate: check them for your dates.
Averages cannot establish current trail conditions. Check recent local reports, the forecast and restrictions before departure. Snow and ice can persist on shaded sections or arrive outside the usual season.
Current snow conditions
Insufficient evidence
Enable “Current snow map” in the route map’s Map layers to see the surrounding snow evidence. Current conditions do not describe a future departure date.
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Safety & Bailouts
We do not have a verified emergency exit plan for this route. A nearby settlement, hut or route endpoint is not necessarily reachable or open. Do not leave the trail based on a straight-line distance or compass direction.
Review possible exits against current local information before your trip. In an emergency, contact local rescue services; this page is not live rescue guidance.
Suggested Gear List
Auto-generated based on 11.8 km, 464m ascent, max altitude 2054.3m, ~4h duration.
- 👟 Trail running shoes / hiking bootsRequired for any trail
- 📱 Phone (charged) + offline mapNavigation & emergency contact
- 💧 2L hydration packWater source information is incomplete; plan supplies before departure
- 🍫 Trail mix, bars & sandwichEst. 1923 kcal burn
- 🧴 Sunscreen SPF 50+UV intensifies above 2000m
- 🧢 Sun hat / capExposed alpine terrain
- 🧥 Windbreaker / shell jacketSummit at 2054.3m — wind chill
- 🕶️ Sunglasses (cat 3+)Snow & rock glare at altitude
- 🧤 Warm mid-layer (fleece)Temps drop ~6°C per 1000m
- 🩹 Mini first aid kitBlister plasters, tape, antiseptic
- 🧊 Microspikes / light cramponsSnow risk in Jan, Feb, Mar
- 🦵 GaitersKeep snow out of boots
Logistics
This route runs from Alter Spittel to Kulm (11.8 km by trail). You'll need to arrange transport back to your starting point.
Nearby Points of Interest
⛰️ Peaks
- Tochuhorn km 7.1 · 1.7 km off trail
- Staldhorn km 4.9 · 2.1 km off trail
📍 Nearby Places
- Simplon Hospiz km 9 · 1.2 km off trail
- P2543 km 0.3 · 1.6 km off trail
- P2474 km 0.3 · 2.1 km off trail
- Tschyfe km 3.9 · 1.6 km off trail
- Egga km 4.2 · 1.6 km off trail
Route Details
- Network
- Local Trail Network
- Sport
- hiking
- Start
- Alter Spittel
- End
- Kulm
- Start Coordinates
- 46.24360, 8.01313
- OpenStreetMap
- View on OSM →
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Route resources
Specialist links and source details for this route. Everyday actions are kept in the route rail above.