Stelvio

About the Route

Stelvio is where the #switchbacksaturday hashtag was born so this route is a very special one. The route has been carefully planned out to experience the 3 sides of Stelvio while avoiding the traffic.

Leaving Bormio, we’ll hit our first switchbacks straight away. Through rocky landscape and pine forests we’ll pass through Bagni di Bormio where there are some nice views back down the valley.

The valley then narrows and the switchbacks get tighter with gradients around 9-10% and stone walls on either side. We’ll then reach the first set of iconic switchbacks at the end of the Bormio valley with waterfalls and scenic views of the switchbacks that are worth a photo (or two).

After a long grinding transfer, we get up over 2000m and the landscape opens out above the treeline. Passing the Umbrail turn off, the summit is within sight and we’re locked on our target.

Finally reaching Stelvio Pass. we’re greeted with the gift shops and the smell of Bratwurst in the air and our first glimpse of the world’s most famous switchbacks. The best vantage point is from the Rifugio Alpino Tibet Hütte, just off to the side of the pass.

We’ll then descend the switchbacks we just took 725 photos of 48 incredible bends sculpted into the rocky landscape. They are a marvel of engineering and you can sense how monumental this road is. But we do need to be careful with the traffic.

As we descend below 2000m, the landscape changes back to pine forest before we reach the town of Prato for a lunch stop. Cafe Am Platzl is a good choice.

Continuing on, we’ll pass through the apple orchids of Val Venosta before crossing the border into Switzerland. Through Val Müstair we’ll eventually reach Santa Maria which is the last chance to fuel up before the final climb of the day.

Umbrail Pass is one of the most secluded passes in the region and the quietest way to climb to Stelvio. It begins in the pine forests and tight switchbacks with very nice (Swiss) asphalt. With some double-digit gradients, hope you conserved some energy!

After the bridge, there are no more trees and no more buildings. Just you, the mountains and the road. This is one of the wildest passes in all of the alps.

As we cross the border and pass, we’ll then begin our descent to Bormio on the road that started our day. This is an amazing place for sunset photos so don’t be afraid to take your time on this loop to enjoy this magical time of the evening on Stelvio.

What a special #switchbacksaturday this is!