At 2,757 m, the Stelvio is the highest paved pass in Italy and the second-highest in the Alps after the Col de l'Iseran. A road has crossed the mountain here since 1825 – and road cyclists have three ways up: from Prato allo Stelvio in South Tyrol, from Bormio in Lombardy and from Santa Maria in Switzerland's Val Müstair via the Umbrail Pass. Each side rides differently.
The three ascents at a glance
| Ascent | Start | Length | Climbing | Avg. gradient | Hairpins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prato (South Tyrol) | approx. 950 m | 24.3 km | 1,808 m | 7.4% | 48 |
| Bormio (Lombardy) | 1,215 m | 21.5 km | 1,533 m | 7.1% | about 40 |
| Santa Maria via the Umbrail (Switzerland) | 1,370 m | approx. 16.5 km | approx. 1,400 m | approx. 8.5% | many |
The Umbrail route joins the Bormio road about 3 km below the summit; both ascents share the final kilometres.
From Prato: the classic with 48 hairpins
The north-east ramp is the climb you know from photos. 48 hairpins, each marked with a numbered stone, count down from bottom to top. Up to Trafoi you ride through forest, then it opens up, and from Franzenshöhe the famous wall of hairpins lies right in front of you. The final third is above 2,000 m – the air gets thin, the legs heavy. At 24.3 km and just over 1,800 m of climbing, it's the longest and toughest of the three sides.
Good to know: on summer weekends this side sees a lot of motorbike traffic. Start early and you'll have the hairpins almost to yourself.
From Bormio: the Giro side
From Bormio it's 21.5 km at 7.1% with about 40 hairpins. In the lower part the road runs through several galleries – bring a rear light. Higher up the valley opens, and shortly before the top the Umbrail road joins. The Bormio side is more even than Prato and combines well with the Gavia and Mortirolo for a big loop. The Giro d'Italia has crossed the pass many times, often as the Cima Coppi, the highest point of the race.
From Santa Maria via the Umbrail: the quiet side
From Santa Maria (1,370 m) in Switzerland's Val Müstair, the road climbs through the Val Muraunza to the Umbrail Pass at 2,501 m – Switzerland's highest road pass. A short flat stretch follows, then the last 3 km or so on the Bormio road to the summit. This side is the shortest but steepest on average, and by far the quietest: little traffic, plenty of hairpins, hardly any galleries.
Which ascent suits you?
- Your first time on the Stelvio: Prato. The 48 hairpins are the experience you come for.
- Peace and nature: Santa Maria via the Umbrail.
- Several passes in one day: Bormio, combined with the Gavia or Mortirolo.
- The big loop: up from Prato, down via the Umbrail into the Val Müstair and back into the Vinschgau – three corners of the Alps in one day.
Practical tips
- Season: the pass road is usually open from late May or June into October, depending on snow.
- Car-free days: on Stelvio Bike Day the pass is open to cyclists only on selected summer days – check the dates in good time.
- Clothing: even in high summer it's often below 10 °C at the top. A wind vest and arm warmers for the descent belong in your jersey pocket.
- Gearing: a compact chainset with a 34-tooth inner ring and at least 30 at the back makes the long ramps bearable.
How long the climb takes and what counts as a good time is in our article What Is a Good Time on Alpe d'Huez, the Stelvio and Mont Ventoux?
The Stelvio on your wall
Our Stelvio poster shows the ascent from Bormio as a line with distance, climbing and hairpins – with your name, the date of your ascent and your time if you like. Did you ride up from Prato or via the Umbrail? Then upload your GPX file and turn exactly your route into a poster. More classics are in the pass series and in our overview of the most legendary Alpine passes.