The Stelvio Pass

The Stelvio Pass is the highest automotive pass in Italy and is considered one of the legendary passes for road cycling enthusiasts.

Its famous hairpin bends nestled in the Stelvio National Park make it one of the epic climbs to tackle for all cycling enthusiasts.

THE STELVIO PASS FROM BORMIO: A MUST FOR ROAD CYCLING LOVERS

The Cima Coppi. A climb that has made cycling history and must be tackled with the utmost respect. 21.5 km of steady ascent, not impossible from the point of view of gradients (7.1% the average one, 11 the maximum one). The length of the climb eventually makes itself felt when you consider that you go from the 1,225 m of Bormio to the 2,758 m of the Stelvio Pass, where summer skiing is practiced in summer. The road connects Valtellina with the autonomous province of Bolzano. Just below the pass, on the Valtellina side, the road crosses the Umbrail Pass leading into Engadine (Switzerland).

What immediately jumps out at you, after a few kilometers of ascent, is the large number of hairpin bends (40 from Bormio, 48 from Alto Adige) of a work designed and built in the early 19th century. A jaw-dropping view immediately after the 2nd Casa Cantoniera, when you turn onto the mountainside that opens onto the Braulio Valley and reveals the wall of hairpin bends just above.

Many cycling champions have passed on this climb . One of the first times was in 1953 with Fausto Coppi winning in Bormio. In 1975, the Giro d'Italia ended at the very top of the Stelvio with Fausto Bertoglio's final success. Over the years, the pink race has passed through several times and featured many champions such as Marco Pantani, Claudio Chiappucci and Miguel Indurain. In 2012, new arrival on the pass and success for Belgian Thomas De Gendt, at the end of an action born in the descent of the Mortirolo.

The Stelvio Pass is usually open from late May to October, and even in the warmer months it can happen to find snow.

PASS OPENING SITUATION