Visit arguably the most famous Italian cycling destination and conquer the legendary Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo passes over four days of unforgettable cycling!

The Stelvio climb requires little introduction for cyclists, and for good reason. First introduced in the 1953 Giro d’Italia, it has broken the spirit of many professional riders, and is one of the iconic European climbs on many peoples’ bucket list. Based at a bike-friendly hotel in central Bormio, we will provide you with all the technical and moral support needed to ensure you enjoy taming this impressive climb, along with the equally challenging Gavia and Mortirolo passes.

Surrounded as it is by so many legendary Giro d’Italia climbs, Bormio itself is steeped in cycling history, and provides an ideal location for new and seasoned cyclists alike to experience Italian cycling culture. Centrally located, our hotel provides the perfect cycling base, with safe bike storage, bike wash, tools, laundry service and cycling-friendly staff. And as ever with our trips, we aim to combine challenging and rewarding days on the bike with plenty of great Italian coffee, food and wine off the bike.

What’s included

• Transfers from Milan Malpensa or Milan Linate airport
• 5 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in 3* hotel in central Bormio
• Daily guided rides with full vehicle support

 
Price: £895 based on twin occupancy; single supplement £50 per night (subject to availability).

Bike hire

Bike hire is available for £95. All bikes are carbon with shimano 105 groupsets, 50/34 compact chainsets and 12/32 cassettes. It is also possible to rent e-bikes locally if you’d like to do the routes but believe you’ll need some additional help on the hills.

Itinerary

We’ve put together an itinerary that allows you to experience all the main famous climbs around Bormio, along with an easier day to visit the beautiful Lago de Cancano. The exact itinerary may vary dependent on the group and the order of the days may be switched around based on the group and weather conditions.

• Sat: Travel from the airport to the hotel in Bormio, assemble bikes, short ride and take in our first cappuccino (time permitting)
• Sun: The Stelvio loop, 102km, 3,100m of climbing
• Mon: The Gavia and Mortirolo loop, 115km, 2,700m of climbing
• Tues: The Forcola and Foscagno loop, 130km, 2,500m of climbing
• Wed: Lago de Cancano & Torri di Fraele, 30km, 900m of climbing + option of riding around the lakes (gravel track)
• Thurs: Breakfast and return transfer to airport

The routes

We do the Stelvio loop on the first main day of riding. At 2,758m, the Passo dello Stelvio is the highest climb of the trip. We start climbing directly from Bormio, riding into Switzerland and across the Umbrail pass (2,503m) before dropping down through Santa Maria to Prato allo Stelvio, where the main climb to the Stelvio pass begins. From this side, the Stevio is a 25km climb with an average gradient of 7.4%. It is 12% at its steepest. From the top, it’s an exhilarating 20km descent back to the hotel in Bormio.

On the second day, we do the Gavia and Mortirolo loop. First up is the testing Mortirolo pass (1,857m). While the climb is “just” 12km from where it begins 30km down the valley in Mazzo di Valtellina, it has an average gradient of 10.9%, and a maximum gradient of 17%, so your legs will definitely feel it, particularly after the Stelvio the day before! From the top of the Mortirolo, we descend through Monno and then head to Ponte di Legno to the start of the climb to the Passo di Gavia (2,652m). This one is 16km long, with an average gradient of 8% (maximum 14%). The reward is then a stunning 25km long descent back to Bormio and a well-deserved beer or two.

On the third and fourth days of riding we will offer the Forcola and Foscagno loop and the more relaxed ride up to the Lago di Cancano. We can decide which order to do them in based on customer preference.

The Forcola and Foscagno loop is the longest day, but has less climbing than the Stelvio or Gavia days. The route starts with a 40km descent to Tirano where the 34km ascent of the Passo Forcola de Livigno (2,315m) in Switzerland begins (average gradient 5.5%, maximum gradient 13%). We then descend slightly to Livigno before the 6.4km climb to the Passo d’Eira (2,210m, average gradient 6%) and the final 4km climb to Passo Foscagno (2,291m, average gradient 6.7%). It is then all downhill to Bormio, ready to head home in the morning with over 8,000m of climbing in your legs!

The Lago de Cancano & Torri di Fraele is the shortest day, but absolutely stunning, and a nice recovery ride after the climbing on the other days. The route starts with a 5km ride-in, before the 9km climb up to the lakes. The 7% gradient should feel pleasant after the Moritrolo (!), with an impressive series of hairpins past the imposing medieval Fraele towers. Once at the top, there are beautiful views over the two lakes, the Lago di Cancano and the Lago di San Giacomo, and a resturant where you can sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. There is also a very rideable (and relatively flat!) gravel track around the lakes for those who’d like to explore further.

How fit and experienced do I need to be for this trip?

These climbs are legendary for good reason, and they are not for the novice rider. However, that doesn’t mean to say you need to be a top-level athlete to tackle them. You need to be a competent cyclist and comfortable climbing and descending, but stamina, determination and a can-do attitude are more important than speed. If you come with us to Mallorca, then you should be in at least the middle group on the road, and capable of doing the Sa Calobra and the Andratx coastal road rides.

We will have vehicle support on all the routes, and so there will be the option to get in the van if the climbs do prove too much for you, and you can get out for the descent. It is also possible to hire e-bikes locally for a little bit of extra assistance.