Passo dello Stelvio – Mythical climb in Italy
There are mountains… and there is the Stelvio Pass. For many cyclists this is the holy grail of climbing – a mythical pass full of hairpin bends, views and history. The Stelvio is located in the north of Italy and connects Bormio in Lombardy with Prato allo Stelvio and Trafoi in South Tyrol.
Whether you come for the challenge, the view or to experience a piece of Giro d'Italia history - the Stelvio is a climb that you must ride at least once in your life.
The three faces of the Stelvio
The Stelvio Pass you can three sides climb, and each side has its own character.
From Prato allo Stelvio (the classic east side)
This is the most famous and popular side, mainly thanks to the 48 hairpin bends that winds up the mountainside like a ribbon.
- Lnarrowness: 24.3 km
- ️Altitude meters: 1,808 m
- Average gradient: 7.4%
- Max. increase: 11%
From it Prato allo Stelvio you drive through Trafoi direction above. The first kilometers are friendly, but after the forests of Trafoi the real work begins. The last 10 kilometers are pure magic – small roads, steep bends and almost that iconic view.
From Bormio (the south side)
This side is a bit rougher, with tunnels, glaciers and a more varied profile. The Gavia and Mortirolo are close by, so you can make epic laps here.
- Lnarrowness: 21.5 km
- ️Altitude meters: 1,533 m
- Average gradient: 7.1%
- Max. increase: 12%
The last stretch above the tree line is breathtaking – literally and figuratively. You feel the thin air, but the view over the Ortler Glacier Make everything right.
Via the Umbrail Pass (the Swiss variant)
The third option starts Santa Maria (Switzerland) and runs via the Umbrail pass (2503 m) where you connect to the Stelvio, just below the summit.
- Length: 13.5 km (to the)
- Average gradient: 8%
A little shorter, but certainly not easier. The road surface is good, and the view over the Swiss valleys is phenomenal.
The Giro d'Italia and the Stelvio: love and suffering
The Giro d'Italia and the Stelvio Pass are inextricably linked. Since the first passage in 1953, when Fausto Coppi achieved a remarkable solo here, the Stelvio is one of the most iconic climbing names in cycling.
The mountain is often it Cima Coppipoint of the Giro – the highest point of the entire lap. That means: extra honor, extra points and usually extra snow. Riding on the Stelvio always provides a spectacle. Think about Thomas de Gendt's brave attack in 2012, of the epic snow stage of 2020.
Granfondo Stelvio Santini: your chance to make history
Would you like to experience the Giro atmosphere yourself? Daan is the Gran fondo Stelvio Santini your event. Every year at the beginning of June thousands of cyclists go to Bormio to conquer the Stelvio. There are three distances, but the entire route is largely – yes – on top of the Stelvio. The atmosphere is indescribable: locals along the road, cowbells, music, and at the top you get goosebumps.
The organization is top notch, and the graduates are safely stored. Prepare optimally with it Granfondo Stelvio Santini package with Ride Up.
Why the Stelvio should be on your bucket list
The Stelvio Pass is not just a climb, it is a experience.
From the smell of the Alpine air to the moment you take the last hairpin bend and reach the top – this is why we cycle.
Whether you choose the classic from Prato, rough variant from Bormio, of the Swiss route via the Umbrail, one thing is certain: you will never forget the Stelvio.
Tip: stay in it cycling hotel from Chalet Beyond at the foot of the beautiful village of Bormio.