Daniel Friebe* writes that the Passo dello Stelvio is “arguably the purest, most exhilarating, most spellbinding mountain playground accessible to cyclists.”
We’d agree. Cycling Passo dello Stelvio is on most serious road cyclists’ bucket list. It’s the star of the Giro d’Italia, and is a ride you just have to experience for yourself.
Before our trip, we had lots of questions about riding the Stelvio Pass and we struggled to find answers to them. So, after our own trip where we cycled the Stelvio Pass climb multiple times from both sides, we decided to create this lengthy Q&A that hopefully covers everything you may have been wondering about cycling the Stelvio pass climb.
We hope it helps you plan your Stelvio cycling adventure when tackling this giant of the Giro!
Planning a trip to the Stelvio? Ridden the Stelvio? Ask questions or tell us your experience in the comments below.
*(in his book Mountain High)
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1. Getting to the Stelvio
Where is the Stelvio Pass cycling route?
The Stelvio Pass is in the Italian Alps of northern Italy. It’s 200 km northeast of Milan and 350m northwest of Venice. The closest major city to the Stelvio climb is Bolzano, which is about 75 km to the east. The Pass is just 200 m from the Swiss border.
Many people refer to the Stelvio being in the Dolomites; that’s not actually the case. The Dolomites start around 70 km to the east of the Stelvio. Cycling the Stelvio Pass has a very different look and feel to this area.
How do you get to the Stelvio?
It’s not easy to reach the Stelvio climb by bike (sorry). Bormio is about 200 km from both Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa international airports – that’s around a 3 hour drive.
We visited on a trip of northern Italy: flying into Venice, riding the Dolomites, driving on to Bormio and then continuing on to Lake Como.
Another option could be to drive from the UK to the Stelvio. If you decide to do this, hiring a customised camper van could be a great option. More info here.
Where does the Stelvio Pass start and finish?
The official name of the Stelvio Pass road is the SS38 and it connects Prato allo Stelvio (in the South Tyrol, northeast of the Pass) with Bormio (in the Sondrio region, southwest of the Pass).
This is our guide to the ascent of the Bormio side; this is our guide the ascent of the Prato side.
Is there a Stelvio Pass map?
Here’s an extract from Google Maps that shows the location of the Stelvio Pass compared with Milan and the two towns the Pass connects: Bormio and Prato.
You can find cycling Stelvio route maps and GPX files for the cycling routes from Bormio and Prato in our ride guides: Stelvio from Bormio and Stelvio from Prato.
When does the Stelvio pass open?
The Stelvio Pass usually opens in the second half of May, and closes at the start of November. However, we would suggest June-September is a better bet for tackling the Stelvio cycling climb. (It’s also worth considering timing your visit with one of the Stelvio Pass bike days – the “when to go” section of our destination guide has more information).
It’s vital to check the weather before setting out on your Stelvio bike climb (and the webcam Passo Stelvio is also handy). On four occasions, the Stelvio’s appearance in the Giro has been cancelled due to snow, which can appear at any time of year. If you’re “lucky” and it’s “only” rain, at 2,750m you won’t feel so lucky if you’re not wearing the right clothes.
Where’s the best place to stay to ride the Stelvio Pass?
We love Bormio! It’s a great little town that embraces its cycling heritage – and the thousands of cyclists that stay here each year. You’ll find plenty of cycling friendly hotels, plus all the bike hire and repair shops you could need.
Check our guide to Bormio’s hotels for everything you need to know.
What’s the Stelvio’s proper name?
The Stelvio has lots of different names: Passo dello Stelvio in Italian, Stelvio Pass in English and Stilfserjoch in German. Do the French call it the Col de Stelvio? We’re not sure!
2. Cycling Passo dello Stelvio: what it’s like
How hard is the Stelvio Pass cycling climb?
Very. The Stelvio road bike route is very challenging indeed.
A lot is written about the beauty of the Stelvio and, yes, it is breaktaking. But don’t forget that it’s also one of the hardest climbs there is.
What makes it quite so difficult is not so much the length or the gradients (despite the fact these are super challenging!) – it’s the altitude. On the surface, altitude doesn’t sound particularly noteworthy, but it really is!
Also bear in mind that after a couple of hours of Passo dello Stelvio cycling, you’ve still got to conquer the descent. This is technical, and potentially dangerous, whichever way you go. Your clothes will be damp with sweat and you’ll be tired. Always check the weather before you go as having to descend without the right kit will be totally unforgettable (in the worst possible sense).
Finally, if you’re descending to Bormio, remember there are tunnels en route. They’re now lit, but they’re still narrow and when we rode them there were traffic lights (meaning you may need to come to an abrupt stop half way down the descent). More detail in our Stelvio: Bormio guide. So it’s not only about the tough Stelvio cycle climb!
In a post Giro interview with Rouleur magazine in 2007, Brian Smith said of the descent to Bormio: “It was the most horrible descent I’ve ever done. I was never one to get scared on a descent. But coming down the Stelvio that day, with my hands freezing, having to close one eye for the tunnels, and then hope for the best once you were inside, is something I’ll never forget. I was petrified.”
Take Brian’s advice: this is a mountain that shouldn’t be attempted unless you’re used to cycling in the mountains and have trained properly for it. (We’ve got lots of tips for training for long distance rides in this article.)
How long is the Stelvio Pass?
We calculate it as around 20km from Bormio and 25km from Prato.
Are there kilometre markers?
Yes there are – on both climbs.
The bends are numbered backwards, with the highest number at the top of the Pass, so you know how many bends there are to the top.
How many hairpins on the Stelvio Pass?
Other than its height, the Stelvio’s other big talking-point is the number of hairpins. The Passo di Stelvio from Prato has 48 hairpins. From Bormio, it’s less clear and depends on what you count as a hairpin. The number seems to range from 27 to 40, depending on who you ask or what you read.
We meant to count ourselves (to provide a definitive answer of course!) but managed to lose count halfway along our Stelvio ride when more important considerations took over (like breathing…).
What are the Stelvio Pass gradients like?
When tackling the Stelvio by bike, calculate an average gradient of 8% from Prato and 7% from Bormio. As you’ll appreciate, averages mask the fact that the gradients aren’t perfectly even the whole way up!
What altitude is the Stelvio?
It is the second highest paved mountain pass in the Alps (the first is the Col de l’Iseran). Different sources put the summit at different heights, ranging from 2755m to 2757m or even 2760m. However, 2,758m is what it says on the sign at the top, so we’ll go with that.
How long should you allow?
Climbing the Stelvio by bike takes around 75-90 minutes in the Giro.
So a 90 minute ascent for a mere mortal will be going some – two or three hours is more realistic.
At the time of writing, the Stelvio Pass cycling record on Strava is:
3. Cycling Passo dello Stelvio: Practical considerations
Which way up the Stelvio Pass road is best?
There are three ways up the Stelvio: from Prato allo Stelvio, from Bormio and from Santa Maria/the Umbrail Pass in Switzerland.
Only got time for one ascent? The most iconic climb is the Stelvio Italy cycling ascent from Prato. This is the side with the much-photographed 48 hairpins. The valley is rocky, snow-capped and dramatic but be prepared for those endless, repetitive switchbacks! Get full details of the Prato climb, here.
Got the time and inclination for two ascents? Try the Bormio climb too, it’s varied and spectacular albeit very different from the Prato side (just beware the tunnels).
There’s not too much to pick between the two in terms of length and gradient; the Prato side is marginally longer and steeper on average, but the Bormio side spices things up with a gentle section 5km from the top and 12% for most of the last two kilometres…
If you’re based in Bormio, the ride to do is the iconic loop from Bormio up to the Pass, down to the Umbrail Pass, through Switzerland and then up the Stelvio again from Prato. A big day out! Get all the details on that in this Umbrail Pass loop guide.
The third climb up from Santa Maria in Switzerland is a much less ridden side. If you’re staying in Bormio and only doing one Stelvio day, you’d either have to ride all three climbs in one day (ouch) or do the Santa Maria side instead of the ride up from Prato. This route up from Santa Maria joins the route up from Bormio at around 3km to go (i.e. at the toughest bit!).
What’s the best time of day to go?
We’d suggest timing your Stelvio bike day for early in the morning, and ideally midweek.
That’s because during the summer months it’s not just cyclists that love to challenge themselves here, it’s a playground for motorbikers too – find more on that below.
Is there much traffic on the Stelvio?
The short answer is yes, you’ll find lots of people driving during your Stelvio bike day.
A road this windy and well-surfaced is paradise for motorcyclists and drivers as well as cyclists. To top it off, in 2008 Top Gear voted the Stelvio Pass the best driving road in the world – so it’s no hidden gem.
The valley can echo to the roar of motorbikers ripping around the hairpins. Go first thing is a good idea as less of them are out of bed.
What’s the summit like?
If after taking on that Stelvio Pass cycling gradient you’re expecting incredible views, the reality is that it’s not very nice. After all the splendid natural beauty of the ride up, arriving at the summit of the Stelvio is a bit of a surprise. There are loads of trinket/souvenir shops, seedy cafes and faded hotels.
We overheard someone describing it as “like a wet day in Merthyr Tydfil” (sorry anyone that lives in Merthyr, but it was foggy and raining…).
It’s also a surprise to come across skiers mingling with cyclists – a testament to the likely weather you’ll encounter up here! The glacier is open to skiers from May to November.
Is there anywhere to get drinks/food?
Yes there are a few places. Check out our guides to the climb from Bormio and climb from Prato for more information.
What kit do you need to ride the Stelvio?
The key items of clothing to remember are long-fingered gloves, arm warmers, leg warmers and a jacket for the summit and descent (you may need more than this if the weather forecast is bad).
Also bring bike lights – and all the other usual stuff!
Where’s the best place to get a photo of the Stelvio Pass?
If you’re looking to get “that” photo of the Stelvio (the one of the hairpins tumbling down the mountain), it’s of the north-east side looking towards Prato. At the summit, head up the road by the Hotel Passo Stelvio towards the Albergo Ristorante Tibet and you’ll get a superb view of the hairpins flowing away down the long valley.
Are there any official Stelvio Pass photographers?
Yes, FotoStelvio.com stations their photographers at various corners of the road. You can then log on to their site, find your photo (these are organised by month, date and time) and buy it.
Are there any cycling events on the Stelvio?
Yes, lots! Check out the “when to go” section of our ultimate guide to cycling the region for more information. Our guide to the Granfondo Stelvio Santini may also be helpful.
Are there any other good rides near the Stelvio?
Yes! Don’t just do the Stelvio and leave; you’d be missing out on some of the world’s best mountain riding!
We love the Gavia and the Mortirolo is extremely famous (and hard); you can do both climbs on this Gavia-Mortirolo loop.
For something easier, try the climb to Cancano lake.
Our guide to cycling the Stelvio region has full details.
4. History of the Stelvio
Why is there a road here?
The Stelvio Pass was built between 1820 and 1825 to connect Lombardy (which was newly part of Austria) with the Tyrol, providing a route from Vienna to Milan.
It was built by a renowned engineer, Carlo Donegani, who spent a whole year planning the road before work commenced. It took 2,500 people five years to complete.
Until the beginning of the 20th Century, the road was open all-year around, but it is now closed during winter.
If you want to find out more about the road’s history, there’s a museum about it at the summit.
What’s the monument on the Bormio side?
Today the Stelvio Pass sits in Italy, with the Swiss border barely a few kilometres away to the North.
However, before the end of World War 1, the Pass formed the border between Austria and Italy. As a result, it was of huge strategic importance at that time and a number of fierce battles were fought here, in the ice and snow.
The monument contains the remains of 64 Italian soldiers who died here in the War.
What’s the Stelvio’s connection with the Giro d’Italia?
Despite having only appeared 12 times in the Giro (1953-2018), the Stelvio and the Giro d’Italia are inextricably linked.
The Stelvio first appeared in the race in 1953, 128 years after the road was built. It immediately made the news: on the climb from Prato, Fausto Coppi attacked. He descended to Bormio putting 4 minutes 23 into second placed Koblet. It gave him the stage and the overall win in Milan the next day (his fifth and final). In Maglia Rosa, Herbie Sykes reports the words of Defilippis: “I’d never seen anything like it. He disappeared into the distance like a motorbike.” The events set a rich precedent for future displays of courage and drama that form part of the mountain’s mythology.
The summit has been used as a stage finish four times (in 1965, 1972, 1975 and 2012).
The ascent of the Stelvio Pass has been cancelled four times due to bad weather (1967, 1984, 1988 and 2013).
Cima Coppi is the title given to the Giro’s highest point each year. When the Stelvio features, it inevitably gets the title.
5. Anything else I should know about Passo de Stelvio cycling?
Cheese
Stelvio DOP is a cheese commonly found in Italian supermarkets!
Also food related – don’t miss the delicious local dish of pizzoccheri – squares of wholemeal pasta. The bresaola, cured beef that’s very finely sliced, is also yummy. Great food to fill up on after a day of dealing with that Stelvio climb profile!
What next?
- Don’t miss our ride guides to the Stelvio (from Bormio) and Stelvio (from Prato) – plus our Stelvio two sides loop and Gavia and Mortirolo loop.
- Check out our ultimate guide to cycling the Stelvio region, which is packed full of free information on rides, bike hire, when to go and more!
- Read our article on bike hotels for the Stelvio and pick a great place to stay.
- More generally, our articles on cycling nutrition strategy, preparing and training for long rides might be useful.
Have you ridden the Stelvio?
Are you planning to ride it? Share your Passo Stelvio cycling stories in the comments below!
Got a question for Clare?
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I assume you can rent a bike to climb the Stelvio. Any suggestions on a good bike shop in Bormio to do that?
Hi Don, check out the bike hire section of this article: https://epicroadrides.com/destinations/cycling-italy/stelvio-pass-region/
Happy riding!
Six of us (cycling friends from Canada) rode the Stelvio from the Prato allo Stelvio side in September 2022, with pannier bags on touring bikes: We’re not terribly efficient packers, so we were probably hauling 25+ pounds each. This was part of a longer, loaded cycle touring trip that took us from Milan to the Sella Ronda, Stelvio, down to Genoa and eventually Sardinia.
Our ragtag group of cyclists (older, heavier bikes, multiple sets of panniers and handlebar bags, every conceivable layer of clothing worn) contrasted nicely with the dozens (hundreds?) of ultra-light racing bikes ridden by skin-suit clad locals. The average age of our group was 60: And no eBikes.
Summary: Fantastic ride. One of the most beautiful and enjoyable climbs we’ve done. Great sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, with the faster, local cyclists giving us encouragement and eventually, a standing ovation as we crested the top. The descent to Bormio was lovely: Cold and windy at the top, of course, but a wonderful gradient for cruising as you descend into the warmth. The tunnels were surprisingly short, well-lit and traffic was essentially non-existent. Bormio was beautiful, and a welcome stop after a great day.
How hard was the climb? It wasn’t that difficult, but we’re riding with sub-20″ climbing gears (think mountain bike gearing) — on a road bike it would be a challenge. And, of course, we took three or four hours to get up, with appropriate stops for coffee and beer on the ascent.
Great website and great information. Thank you so much!
Hi John, thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience. And huge congrats, it’s not an easy climb let alone hauling all that kit! Where’s next?!
Hi Clare,
Currently, I’m in love with cycling in Italy. But there’s a family wedding in Oxford, UK in summer, 2023, so that sounds like an opportunity for LEJOG or portions thereof.
Thank you so much for providing this resource, Clare. Great writing, great photos and incredibly useful information. I just wish I’d found it sooner!
Thanks John for your kind words, they’re much appreciated! Happy riding!
Hi,
Is there any water on the way?
There are very few opportunities – definitely take two bottles on your bike with you. There are lots of places to buy water at the top…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td7NAyoyQlg
Check out my cousin Zico Pieri’s epic Stelvio Unlimited. He climbed it 100 times in 30 days back in 2021.
A reader got in touch in April 2024 with the following comments. He meant to post them here rather than email them to me, so I’m doing it on his behalf! “Great article. Lot of useful info. I was lucky enough to ride Stelvio last year during the Stelvio Bike day. Did it from Prato side. For a 60yr old mere mortal, it meant 2hr 53min climb. A couple of things that helped me (and I hope others that fall into the above category): Pace yourself! If it feels you are riding fast – you are TOO fast. It it feels like an “OK” pace – you are fast. If it feels slow – you are doing it correctly and will last until the end of the ride. So easy to get carried away by a passing cyclist and try and hold their wheel. The nature is so beautiful, that you will want to go slow and enjoy the view. Bring dry jersey with you, long fingered gloves, wind jacket etc.
If you can ride it during the Stelvio Bike Day you will be spared car fumes, crazy drivers etc. and will potentially make friends with likeminded riders from far flung parts of the World. Enjoy!”
This is the first I’ve seen the comment from Brian Smith (Rouleur magazine, 2007). Descending to Bormio in 2014, I was following the wheel of a rider in our Trek Travel group. A tunnel came up quickly and the snow melt had left some black ice inside. There was a right-hander that caught Chris by surprise and he was briefly over the center line until he could safely adjust. Being on his wheel, I was still over the line when a car, without lights, appeared in front of me. I braked and the bike fishtailed. Somehow, I kept it upright and just missed a head-on collision (and death) by less than 0.5m. It’s not a race. Ignore Strava. Stop and take photos. — I love this climb and of many classic climbs I have done this is one I would love to do a second time (but would take the descent to Bormio much slower).
Great resource. Thanks Clare for putting this together.
As a mere 57 year old wippersnapper I feel encouraged to do it in September on my way back to Blighty after the Grinduro.
Should be fun on 650b wheels and 51mm tyres!
Thanks so much for your kind words! Hope you have a great time!
Hello, it’s possible to ride Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo in early october?
Tricky one! Even in the summer you sometimes get snow on the Stelvio… Watch the weather forecasts and cross your fingers. It should still be open in early October, but it could also be closed if winter comes early. Sorry I know that’s not helpful. If it is open, definitely take warm clothes for the descents!