The Stelvio Pass: a must for motorcyclists

For many motorcyclists, the Stelvio Pass is on their bucket list of must-ride motorbike routes in Europe. But is the Stelvio Pass really worth the effort, and what do you need to bear in mind if you’re planning to ride it? We’ll try to answer these questions as best we can and offer a few tips. You can expect the following topics:

This blog covers the following points:

• Where is the Stelvio Pass and what is the route like?
• When is the best time to ride the Stelvio Pass?
• Which motorbike is best suited to the Stelvio Pass?
• What are the potential hazards of riding the Stelvio Pass?
• Where can I stay overnight near the Stelvio Pass?
• Where can I get something to eat and drink on the Stelvio Pass?

Where is the Stelvio Pass and what is the route like?

The Passo dello Stelvio (German: Stilfserjoch) is a mountain pass in the Italian Alps. The pass is best known for its cycling stages in the Giro d’Italia. The Stelvio is one of the highest paved mountain passes in the Alps.

The Stelvio Pass lies on the border between the Italian-speaking province of Sondrio and the German-speaking South Tyrol. To the east of the pass lie the Ortler Alps, with the Ortler as their highest peak, and even closer by is Monte Livrio, on whose glaciers skiing takes place during the summer season. To the north lies the Dreisprachenspitze, the meeting point of three languages: Italian, German and Rhaeto-Romance. Finally, to the south lies Monte Scorluzzo, considered one of the easiest three-thousand-metre peaks to climb. The pass lies at the heart of the Stelvio National Park, one of the oldest (1936) and largest national parks in Europe. Less than three kilometres from the top of the pass, on the descent towards Bormio, lies the side road to the Umbrail Pass, Switzerland’s highest motorable pass, which is just two hundred metres away from there.

From Prato there are 48 hairpin bends and from Bormio there are 34. The entire SS38 road is 49 km long and was built between 1820 and 1825. The northern section from Prato starts off gently but becomes increasingly steep and has no tunnels. The first few kilometres alongside a small river are lovely, with a gradient of 3 to 6 per cent. Further on, after the village of Trafoi (1,584 m), the road becomes slightly steeper through the forest, with several sections reaching gradients of up to 12 per cent. After that, the gradient returns to 8 to 10 per cent, with numerous hairpin bends offering views of the summit of the Stelvio. The southern side from Bormio is slightly easier, but features several dangerous and narrow tunnels as well as numerous hairpin bends. The southern side has 39 hairpin bends, more than 20 of which follow in quick succession near the waterfall just past the halfway point. And then there’s another stretch with ten hairpin bends just below the summit. The tunnels have been slightly enlarged since they were first built in 1816, but they remain very narrow and winding.

When is the best time to drive over the Stelvio Pass?

The Stelvio Pass is usually open from mid-May or early June until the end of September or, at the latest, early October. The Stelvio Pass is known for its unpredictable and cold weather; therefore, always check the weather forecast carefully before climbing the Stelvio. Due to its popularity, it can get very busy with motorists and cyclists, so it is best to choose a weekday to drive over the Stelvio Pass. That way, you’ll be least affected by other traffic.

Which motorbike is best suited for riding up the Stelvio Pass?

The Stelvio Pass has many hairpin bends interspersed with short straights. The gradient can reach up to 12 per cent. As a result, the average speed is low. The hairpin bends are usually very tight, which is why a naked bike or a supermoto is the preferred choice, as these motorbikes are light and manoeuvrable. Of course, you can also ride the Stelvio Pass on a heavier, less manoeuvrable motorbike, although this makes the ride an even greater challenge.

What are the potential dangers of riding a motorbike on the Stelvio Pass?

As mentioned earlier, the Stelvio is known for its unpredictable and cold weather. You should therefore always check the weather forecast carefully. The weather also means that the pass often opens late in the season and closes early again, due to snow.

The Stelvio’s popularity means there are plenty of tourists, whether travelling by car, motorbike or bicycle. All this traffic means there is sometimes little room to manoeuvre. This can lead to dangerous situations and spoil the driving experience, particularly on the steep hairpin bends.

Where can I stay overnight near the Stelvio Pass?

There are several hotels on the Stelvio Pass, but you can also stay overnight in the villages at the foot of the Stelvio. There are about five hotels at the top of the Stelvio Pass. From these hotels, you can go summer skiing. These high-altitude hotels on the Stelvio Pass are closed in winter. Winter always lasts quite a long time on the Stelvio Pass, so the hotels are often closed for a long period. The Stelvio hotels are usually closed from November to April (subject to change). This is because the road to the Stelvio Pass is closed during this period.

There are several hotels in the village of Prato, north of the Passo dello Stelvio. In the town of Bormio, south of the Stelvio, there are a great many hotels. Bormio is a ski resort with many hotels. World Cup skiing competitions are held in Bormio almost every year, which explains the wide choice of luxury hotels. In Bormio, you’ll also find more affordable hotels in this lovely, cosy town.

Where can I get something to eat and drink on the Stelvio Pass?

At the top of the Stelvio Pass, there are several restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal. Have a look at the list on Tripadvisor featuring the best restaurants.

The 10 best restaurants on the Stelvio Pass, according to TripAdvisor