Mountain Passes
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Austria / Italy · Tyrol · South Tyrol · Lombardy

The High Alpine Crossing

Three of the greatest passes in the Alps, stitched into a multi-day tour from the Tyrolean Alps into the Ortler range and back.

Route plate for The High Alpine Crossing
Elevation © NASA SRTM · Roads © OpenStreetMap contributors

A three-day point-to-point tour stitching three of the greatest passes in the Alps into a single itinerary. Timmelsjoch carries you from Austria into South Tyrol, the Stelvio climbs its 48 numbered switchbacks across the Ortler range, and the Gavia closes the route with its narrow alpine wilderness.

Not a loop in the strict sense, you finish in a different place than you started, but the combination of Austrian, South Tyrolean, and Lombard culture at the overnight stops is part of the appeal. Luggage transfers between hotels are easy to arrange through local touring companies.

The route

  1. Start

    Sölden

  2. Timmelsjoch

    2509 m · Austria / Italy

  3. Timmelsjoch Experience

    Architectural pass museums along the road

  4. Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum

    500+ bikes at the toll station

  5. Stop

    Meran

    Day 1 overnight, apple orchards

  6. Stelvio Pass

    2757 m · Italy

  7. 48 numbered switchbacks

    The iconic east-side ramp

  8. Dreisprachenspitze

    Three-language peak

  9. Stop

    Bormio

    Day 2 overnight, thermal baths

  10. Passo Gavia

    2618 m · Italy

  11. Santa Caterina Valfurva

    Alpine village on the climb

  12. Lago Nero

    Black lake at the summit

  13. Finish

    Ponte di Legno

Who it's for

  • Cyclists: one of the great European bike tours, with three legendary climbs and civilised overnight stops.
  • Motorcyclists: a spectacular three-day ride combining Timmelsjoch's smooth arc, Stelvio's switchback drama, and Gavia's narrow adventure.
  • Drivers: similar appeal on Timmelsjoch and Stelvio. Gavia is best avoided in wide cars.

Practical notes

  • Base: Day 1 starts in Sölden, Day 2 overnights in Meran, Day 3 overnights in Bormio.
  • Season: all three passes are reliably open by late June. Timmelsjoch typically opens mid-June, Stelvio in late May, Gavia in early June.
  • Tolls: Timmelsjoch charges €19/car and €15/motorcycle in 2026.
  • Lodging: Meran and Bormio are the standard overnight stops. Book well ahead in July and August.
  • Variant: an alternate return from Bormio via Umbrailpass and Reschenpass adds a fourth major crossing and closes the itinerary back toward Austria.

Passes on this route

The High Alpine Crossing — quick answers

How long is the The High Alpine Crossing?
320 km with 6,500 metres of climbing.
How long does the The High Alpine Crossing take?
3 days. Cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers pace it differently; the route itself is designed around that timeframe.
How hard is the The High Alpine Crossing?
Difficulty: Severe. The rating reflects cycling effort. For motor vehicles it is a purely scenic drive.
Which passes does the The High Alpine Crossing include?
Timmelsjoch, Stelvio Pass, Passo Gavia.
When is the best time to ride the The High Alpine Crossing?
Late June to late September. High passes carry snow into early summer; confirm opening dates close to your trip.
Is the The High Alpine Crossing paved?
Yes, the The High Alpine Crossing runs entirely on paved roads.