Stilfser Joch | 2758 METER | Bormio Prad

At 2,757 metres, the Stelvio Pass is the highest passable and paved Alpine pass in Italy and the second highest paved pass in the Alps after the Col de l'Iseran. The Stelvio Pass connects Bormio in Valtellina, Lombardy, with Prato in Val Venosta, South Tyrol. On the western side, the road from Santa Maria via the Umbrail Pass joins at 2,503 metres.

On this side, too, you pass through several very narrow short tunnels at a slightly lower altitude. On the eastern ramp, you can turn off at Gomagoi at 1,260 metres into the Suldental valley to Innersulden. And at 2188 metres on the east side is the well-known Franzenshöhe mountain hotel. The pass road is paved throughout and is usually open to traffic between the end of May and November.

The Stelvio Pass is an extremely popular destination for motorbike tours, as it has a large number of mostly tight bends. However, especially on weekends, entire convoys drive up and down the Alpine pass. It is best to avoid weekends or set off very early in the morning.

(All pictures were taken on a Saturday in high season between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m.)

Tip: If possible, you should always combine a motorbike tour over the Stelvio Pass with the Umbrail Pass. This Alpine pass is much less busy and offers many narrow and very harmoniously designed bends and hairpin bends, especially in the lower third of the route.

An example of a round trip with 5 Alpine passes: If you start the motorbike tour in Vinschgau, you will reach the Stelvio Pass (east ramp) via Prad. This allows you to approach the steep, narrow hairpin bends, which are widely discussed on social media platforms, from below. Shortly after the pass summit on the west side, the road branches off towards the Umbrail Pass, crossing the border into Switzerland. At the end of the ramp, you will meet the B28 in Santa Maria (Val Müstair). Turn left there towards Zernez. Halfway there, after crossing the Ofen Pass (Passo del Fuorn), the route branches off to Livigno through a long tunnel (toll required). The route continues to Livigno (duty-free zone), over the Alpine passes Passo d'Eira and Passo di Foscagno, and finally to Bormio. From there, you can continue the motorbike tour over the western ramp to the Stelvio Pass and then enjoy the eastern ramp again, this time downhill.

Link to the interactive Alpine Pass Atlas with the route marked*. Click on the ‘Tour PDF’ button for an illustrated road book.

*The Alpine Pass Atlas takes current closures into account. Especially in winter, a route may therefore differ.