Before the World Awakes
My Return to Bormio: Sunrise, Stelvio, and Unforgettable Climbs
Nadezhda Pavlova
I love visiting Italy to cycle – especially in the mountains. I was in Bormio two years ago, back in September, and I left knowing that I’d have to return. There’s something about these mountains that stays with you — the roads, the atmosphere, the sheer beauty of it all. Coming back in 2025, felt like coming home for me, but this time I wanted to experience the Stelvio in a new way.
This year, I took on the Stelvio at night, a magical experience — not alone, but with Danielle @Stelvioman_2758, and my boyfriend, who was just as excited (and maybe just as crazy) as I was. You cannot imagine how it felt, and it’s difficult to put into words. We set off at 3:30 AM, riding in complete darkness, with the town still asleep behind us. There were no cars, no other cyclists — just us, the road, and the steady sound of our breathing and our wheels as we set off in silence, up this legendary strip of tarmac, surrounded by the Italian Alps, with the cool air refreshing us.
The climb from Bormio is always a test: 21.1 km long, 7.4% average gradient, 1,555 meters of elevation gain, 2,758 meters of altitude, and 40 iconic hairpin bends. Riding it in the quiet darkness was something entirely different. It’s peaceful, it’s surreal, and somehow the effort feels lighter when you’re sharing it. Step by step, we rode together toward the top, pushing through the cold stillness of the early morning; turning the pedals in an almost spiritual motion as we set ourselves this perfect cycling pilgrimage.
Reaching the summit just as the morning sky exploded with color, it was one of the most unforgettable moments I’ve ever had on a bike. Watching the sunrise on Stelvio Pass, alone at the top with no one else around, it felt like a gift that we’d earned – this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I paused to let it sink into my mind and into my body, feeling the elation.
As we descended, we passed by the early riders coming up the road — the ones starting at 6:00 or 7:00 AM, thinking they were the first on the mountain. Not today, I’m afraid…
The next challenge of the day came with the Gavia Pass, from Bormio — a wild climb, 24.8 km long with a 5.6% average gradient and ramps kicking up to 12%. The road is narrow and breathtaking, cutting across the side of the mountain with no barriers, no distractions; just the road and the magical views of the Italian mountains. There’s something raw and honest about Gavia — it’s challenging, but it also rewards you at every turn. It’s a spiritual cycling climb, that enters your soul as you ascend.
But this trip wasn’t only about the icons; one of the most surprising and beautiful climbs for me, was Passo dei Forni — a peaceful, steady ascent at first, stretching for 17.1 km with a 5.5% average gradient. However, the final four kilometers? Brutal. Literally, brutal, with the ramps that pitch up to 25%, the road narrowing, and the climb turning into a real battle between rider and road. It’s the kind of climb that surprises you and stays with you long afterwards.
All in all, this short cycling trip to the Italian Alps had delivered in epic proportions, with classic cycling routes, and the feeling that I wanted to return again – and, I will!
This July, a brand new Stelvio Epic Ride Challenge is launching in Bormio! Yes, it’s your chance to experience the legend and to earn your exclusive Santini jersey — a symbol of your ride and your story. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this incredible adventure. Click the link at the foot of this page and take on your own adventure, cycling the Italian mountains.
What I love about Stelvio Epic Rides is the freedom – a true sense of being free on the bike, surrounded by sublime nature. You can take on the challenge in your own time, at your own pace.
There are two ways to join the challenge:
• The Main Challenge: Ride the legendary trio — Stelvio, Gavia, and Mortirolo. Every cyclist knows Mortirolo Pass — the climb with a name that speaks for itself. Mortirolo is brutally steep, relentless, and forever linked with the legend of Pantani. It’s the kind of climb that strips everything away — no many views, no flat sections, just a pure fight with gravity. Together, Stelvio, Gavia, and Mortirolo form the ultimate trio — legendary climbs that every cyclist should ride at least once in their lifetime. Follow in the tracks of Coppi, Pantani, and the Giro’s greatest.
These roads demand everything but offer something priceless in return.
• The Explorer Challenge: Discover the quieter side of Alta Valtellina by riding six of seven hidden climbs, including treasures like Cancano, Monte, and Passo dei Forni.
It’s more than just a ride, too. Part of the entry fee goes to support the Michele Scarponi Foundation, helping promote road safety for cyclists – and so, every cyclist is a winner! Best of all, like me, you get to take home memories to last a lifetime, challenging yourself in the beautiful Italian mountains.
Sign up now and be part of the new Stelvio Epic Ride Challenge:
My final thoughts…
Some rides test your legs.
This one touched the soul.
