Bike tour Stelvio Pass and Giogo di Santa Maria

2,758 m a.s.l., the second-highest for road vehicles accessible Alpine pass, this is the Passo dello Stelvio with its 48 curves and hairpin bends. Combined with the neighbouring Giogo di Santa Maria or Umbrail Pass, a beautiful circular tour can be done, which we want to present you in this article. Our starting point is the little town of Glorenza in Val Venosta, located at 900 m a.s.l. We cycle on the SS 41 road towards Tubre (1,250 m a.s.l.) and cross the Swiss border towards Müstair.

In the following village of Santa Maria (1,370 m a.s.l.) the junction to the Giogo di Santa Maria (Bormio) branches off on the left. A gruff ascent to the Alpenrose Plattatschas restaurant (1,800 m a.s.l.) awaits us and then further on through the Umbrail Valley (with a not asphalted but well-traced out section of about 1.5 km). Advantage of this ascent route is the low traffic, only few cars and motorbikes disturb the quiet of the impressive high alpine landscape. On the Giogo di Santa Maria we cross the border to Italy (Lombardy) - shortly afterwards the road leads to the SS 38 (Strada statale dello Stelvio). Another 260 m in altitude have to be managed, then we have reached the top. In order to have a good view on the road, King Ortles and the valley, the short side trip to the Tibet Mountain Hut at 2,800 m a.s.l. pays. The downhill run is pure cycling fun!

Bend after bend we cycle downhill along the famous mountain pass road, past the Franzenhöhe tavern and the timberline, pass the village of Trafoi and cycle towards Prato allo Stelvio. Here we turn left into the road to Glorenza and 20 minutes later, our circular cycle tour is finished. Please note: Don't forget your ID for possible border controls in Switzerland! The tour is also possible in the opposite direction but less recommendable due to more traffic while the demanding ascent.

Author: AT