Mountain Passes
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Italy · Lombardy · Ortler Alps

Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle

Three of the hardest passes in Italy in a tight loop from Bormio. Not for beginners.

Route plate for Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle
Elevation © NASA SRTM · Roads © OpenStreetMap contributors

Three of the most demanding passes in the Alps, stitched into a single loop from Bormio. The Stelvio, the Gavia, and the Mortirolo share 170 km of road and almost 5,400 m of climbing, more vertical per kilometre than almost any other route on paved tarmac.

Each pass has its own character: the Stelvio is wide, ceremonial, and photographed from every angle. The Gavia is narrow and remote. The Mortirolo is short, brutal, and steep enough to break good climbers. Done in a day it is a reckoning. Done in two it is a proper tour.

The route

  1. Start

    Bormio

  2. Bormio thermal baths

    9th-century Roman baths

  3. Passo Gavia

    2618 m · Italy

  4. Santa Caterina Valfurva

    Alpine village on the climb

  5. Lago Nero

    Black lake at the summit

  6. WWI military fortifications

    Preserved high-altitude trenches

  7. Stop

    Ponte di Legno

    Valley floor between Gavia and Mortirolo

  8. Mortirolo

    1852 m · Italy

  9. Marco Pantani memorial

    Monument on the switchbacks

  10. Stop

    Mazzo di Valtellina

    Historic village at the eastern foot

  11. Stelvio Pass

    2757 m · Italy

  12. Dreisprachenspitze

    Three-language peak viewpoint

  13. Tibet Hütte

    Restaurant at 2,800 m

  14. 48 numbered switchbacks

    The iconic east-side photo ramp

  15. Finish

    Bormio

Who it's for

  • Cyclists: the classic Italian triple, serious climbing legs required and not to be attempted untrained.
  • Motorcyclists: Stelvio and Gavia reward every kilometre. Mortirolo is narrow and technical, worth doing once for the drama.
  • Drivers: Stelvio's switchbacks are among the great driving roads on earth. Gavia is tight for a sports car and Mortirolo is best skipped.

Practical notes

  • Base: Bormio, central to all three passes, with thermal baths and a full range of hotels.
  • Season: Stelvio typically opens in late May, Gavia in early June. Mortirolo is open year-round but narrow sections can ice early in the season.
  • Fuel: Bormio and Ponte di Legno are the main stops. Nothing on the passes themselves.
  • Lodging: one night suffices for determined riders. Two nights allows a proper day per flank.

Passes on this route

Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle — quick answers

How long is the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle?
170 km with 5,400 metres of climbing.
How long does the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle take?
1–2 days. Cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers pace it differently; the route itself is designed around that timeframe.
How hard is the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle?
Difficulty: Severe. The rating reflects cycling effort. For motor vehicles it is a purely scenic drive.
Which passes does the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle include?
Passo Gavia, Mortirolo, Stelvio Pass.
When is the best time to ride the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle?
June to early October. High passes carry snow into early summer; confirm opening dates close to your trip.
Is the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle paved?
Yes, the Stelvio · Gavia · Mortirolo Triangle runs entirely on paved roads.