SS38 : Bormio - Prato Allo Stelvio ( Passo Stelvio / Stilfser Joch)

April 9, 2012 - 5.0

I've ridden 50-60 alpine passes, and this is without a doubt my favorite. It's stunning to look at and stunning to ride, however you must be on your game. If you have any doubt in your abilities to deal with the unexpected on a highly technical road with challenging and changing conditions, then pay attention to the less positive reviews. It is demanding. That said, we rode it in July on a Sunday afternoon after 3 PM when the weather was not so good, and traffic was not bad at all. Just be prepared to overtake whenever the opportunity presents itself. I had the ride of my life going from northeast to southwest, and was sad to find that my video camera was not recording. :( I'll post a link a video done by themimoto who does the best videos of alpine riding I've ever seen.

One more thing. One poster mentioned that the tunnels on the southwest side could be sketchy. I completely agree. Approach with due caution.

August 12, 2011 - 4.0

A must do road for anyone who's anywhere near the area. Spectacular views and hairpin after hairpin, I did it on a weekday in July, and found traffic light, although I was stuck behind a big motorhome on the way down for a while. After the pass we found some better roads on the way to Cortina, although as yet I'm not sure what they are, the area is full of amazing roads!

July 22, 2010 - 5.0

Do this one from South East up and the down towards the North West. Watch out for bike,cars, bicycles an all other sorts coming down the other way. Most importantly, learn/research how do negate supertight hairpins. Dont expect them to be like anything else you have ever done. Not a route for the faint of heart or indeed inexperienced. But if you do graduate on the Joch then well done to you and enjoy the scenery.

July 11, 2010 - 5.0

I only managed the east side when I visited. It is bloody hard work with plenty of traffic of all descriptions, so beware, especially of Danish BMW riders coming round one of the 48 hairpins on the wrong side. (Caused me to drop my bike.) It may be hard but it's spectacular, challenging, rewarding and utterly brilliant.
DO IT!

May 4, 2010 - 3.0

The Stelvio, stunning scenery, lots-a-bikers, not the best road to enjoy yourself, swithbacks are to tight to truly enjoy it, but it is an extraordinary ride, if its busy its pretty tough, preferred the roads nearer the bottom at both ends, but really worth a visit tho...

March 16, 2009 - 5.0

Switchback mania! About 45 hairpins up and about 45 hairpins back.
Non plus Ultra, the Alpha and the Omega of Alpine roads!
Hazards enough: the road is narrow and is very busy (bikers, cyclists, convertibles, campervans, really busy!!).
Try to avoid riding it during high summer and completely forget about it during nice weekends. Since this is the second highest pass in Europe, check the weather reports prior to riding it. Also tarmac can be bad. If you are riding to Bormio, pay attention to the tunnels. They are dark, wet and have a sharp turn in them: close throttle and take it easy and all will be fine (especially the first one!!)

To the Swedish guy who wants to ride it in May: I did ride this one in May and LOVED it. It all comes down to the weather. You might be lucky, you might strike out but hey give it a shot!

February 21, 2009 - 3.0

Hallo I,am a new member from Sweden. This Spring i going to Italy. Have anyone droven the pass in May? I going there 2009-05-19.

October 9, 2007 - 5.0

We did this route the first week in September at 3pm on a Wednesday and it was really quiet....Not much traffic around at all..up or down...When we got to the top it was really quiet as well in fact there was only one little shop open which was useful because it allowed me to buy a sticker for the bike...I did it on a ST1300 fully loaded and two up...A GS chickened out and turned around quite early at the bottom....We will do this Pass Again...BUT next time I hope it is Not SNOWING!!

August 15, 2007 - 5.0

A truly spectacular road. Simply a must-do! Several times...!

June 24, 2007 - 5.0

If you are in Northern Italy then this roads a must!!! We did 16 Countries in 10 days and the Passo Stalvio was one of the hi-lights of the whole tour. Not to be missed!!!!!!

June 20, 2007 - 4.0

This one is quite a challenge with very narrow hairpins, particularly on a sportsbike with limited steering lock. But when you get to the top, specially coming from the Italian side, you get the sense youve conquered one of the most difficult passes of the Alps. Get one of the stickers sold in the shops, and put it on your bike so you can talk about it back home! :-D

January 26, 2007 - 5.0

An alive pass! Lots of bikes to view and bikers to chat if you can take your eyes out of the hairpins. Lots of traffic also. Too many bikers racing up and down. I added some photos also. Enjoy em ;)

October 23, 2006 - 5.0

The Stelvio pass is just insane, not a great ride, not a scratchers paradise in fact its actually hard work but well worth the ride. Unbelievable scenery, take your camera, go early and take your time its stunning.

September 23, 2006 - 5.0

Taking the route travelling from East to West we passed dozens of cyclists on the way up, commendable but mad... The road surface can be a bit iffy in places, but what a road. As you get up into the pass proper, the surroundings change from wooded slopes to open screes and fantastic views. The fact that you're repeatedly taking uphill hairpins allows you to fine tune your technique until what started out as a bit of a challenge soon begins to smooth out as you get into the rhythm of the ride. By the time you arrive at the top you're ready for refreshment and to take a look at the views. As well as the aforementoned Wurst seller, there is a cafe with views down the pass and a museum with dozens of relics from the war when there was a military outpost at the top of the pass. The descent down into the western side is a different road from that on the east. The surface is in better condition and the road itself is wider allowing a smoother ride and the views across the corners are far better too. That is not to say that you don't need to be careful! As you drop down, the road goes through a number of narrow dark and wet tunnels which have the intersting feature of a 90 degree bend in them.... you have been warned! This is a road that you have just got to ride.....

October 30, 2005 - 3.0

I dropped the bike on the first hairpin! Being harrassed by hundreds of cyclists coming down the hill as I was trying to go up, I moved into the side of the road and stalled the engine (the bike doesn't like altitude). Went to put my foot down but due to the camber I couldn't reach the floor! Over we went! Picked the bike up and carried on until it started peeing down. Then we were passed by 2 ambulances going up towards the top, so we gave up and headed back down again. Never mind.... there's always next year!

September 9, 2005 - 3.0

You are likley to see anything and everything that has wheels at the top of Selvio. Last time I was there, the "Classic Alps Rally|" cars were arriving, with Bugattis, Invicticas, Jaguars etc. We were looking at three late-twenties Bently LeMans cars; about 5-6 million U.S.D. sitting there. Be sure and eat at the Wurst stand; the guy running it tries to guess your nationality, and adress you in the right language, plus the food is good. The weather can be anything from bright sunshine to high winds and rain. Watch the inside of the hairpins, where there is a real "hump" or ledge, and can catch you out when your'e leaned over (espically on a B.M.W. boxer). Whatever else you see in the Alps, go here; it is "The Mother of All Mountain Roads". (Another time, I'll give the route for the Umbrail Pass, on the west side of Stelvio).

September 7, 2005 - 5.0

Done this route this summer, also the Dolomites. Spectacular landscapes, but i was not very lucky, because i have done three mountain ports before Stelvio (started the day at Cortina d'Ampezzo)under heavy rain. But no problem, it's a route a "must do" for all people who like cornes and mountain landscapes.

April 14, 2005 - 5.0

The legendary Stelvio pass, an unbelievable selection of switchbacks on the Italian side of the Swiss border that has to be seen to be believed. It's almost always very busy and so is hard to get a clear run, but this is definitely a 'must do' for all bikers at least once.