Of the major Alpine crossings, the Great St. Bernard Pass, which connects Wallis and the Italian Valle d'Aosta, has the most evocative past. Celts, Romans and medieval pilgrims have already passed through the pass. Famous military expeditions followed in their footsteps, such as that of Napoleon in 1800. Today, the unspoilt nature, the grand mountain world and the traditional hospitality, which has existed since the 11th century, attract crowds of tourists in the summer.
I myself follow the footsteps of the British pilgrim Sigeric via the Via Francigena.