Stelvio Pass Cycle Route

Route

1. Starting from the mountain town of Bormio follow the Strada del Passo dello Stelvio and start climbing immediately. The road climbs at an average of around 7% with switchbacks starting off at around 8km, where the tunnels of the Alps start to take you through the mountains at around 9km.Take lights and be well lit in the tunnels.
2. At the junction where the road switchbacks right and starts to head into the higher mountains, stay on this and keep climbing.
   At 14km the real switchbacks begin and the epic day takes on it’s legendary leg busting personality. Keep focused and slowly grind it out until 18km when you see a collection of old buildings to your left with a road leading off signed to ‘Santa Maria’.
3. Take this road, the Passo Umbrail which drops through amazing alpine scenery to Switzerland for 14km, crossing roaring streams on stone bridges before you hit the tree line again and swoop around bends to the base.
4. At Santa Maria turn right onto the SS41 towards Muster.
   The road descends for some time and a chuch tower can be seen ahead just before Glurns. A sign on the right just before Glurns indicates to turn right towards ‘Passo Stelvio’-take this right hand road.
5. It’s a more relaxed ride now to the village of Prato Allo Stelvio where you may want refreshments before the final epic ascent of a 25km climb.
   Turn right and simply ride as the road steepens and winds it’s way up towards the iconic hairpins.
6. Tree lined switchbacks begin in earnest after 65km and these rise steeply, eventually opening up to expansive mountain views.
7. After 25km of relentless climbing the summit is reached and some well deserved hospitality at the village. Rest a while before enjoying the descent back to Bormio, taking care on the precarious hairpins that still lie ahead.

Note: An easier alternative is to drive up from Bormio and park on the Stelvio summit, descending the Umbrail and riding up from Prato. This route is a mere 62km 😉