Stelvio questions.
crescent
Posts: 1,199
I'm heading to Bormio in July and looking to do Stelvio and Gavia at least, both from Bormio. In terms of navigation they both look fairly straightforward.I have no knowledge of the area other than a glance through Google maps but it's looking like climbing the Stelvio from Prato would require me to cycle over from Bormio first - not sure I'll have the time or legs to do both ascents in one rides so that may be a non-starter. As an alternative, is it relatively straightforward entering Switzerland to do the Umbrail pass? I'm assuming there is border control etc? Thanks for any advice. Cheers.
Bianchi ImpulsoBMC Teammachine SLR02 01Trek Domane AL3“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. “ ~H.G. Wells Edit - "Unless it's a BMX"
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Yes, to cycle Stelvio from Prato needs you to go over it first from Bormio. I've done a full day trip of up the Stelvio to the Umbrail (which is a couple of km short of the top of the Stelvio) headed down into Switzerland, cycle along the flat for a bit to Prato, had some lunch and come back up the photogenic side. It's pretty straightforward.
Switzerland is in the Schengen area, so there was no noticeable border controls.
Did a similar day with the Gavia - up over from Bormio and down the other side for lunch and then up over it again back to Bormio. As an alternative, you can tie in the Mortirolo and make a loop of it. Either down the valley to Bormio, over the Mortirolo and then up the Gavia, or Gavia first then the Mortirolo and back to Bormio. The former is the more classic ascent of the Mortirolo I believe (and bloody hard)!
The cycle up to Lago di Cancano is also worth considering.
Our plan is
Bormio - Stelvio - Prato - Stelvio - Bormio.
https://www.cyclinglocations.com/bormio-stelvio-prato-stelvio-bormio/
We did look at Swiss side, but apparently the iconic 48 hairpins are from Prato.
Second day we are planning easy coffee shop ride somewhere scenic. Possibly the suggested Laghi di Cancano, Grazie.
Voltaire
Bormio - Bormio 2000 - Bormio (12 miles, 725m)
Bormio - Pradele - Valle di Fraele - Lake Cancano - Pradelle - Bormio (22 miles, 850m)
Bormio - Stelvio - Bormio (28 miles, 1525m)
Bormio - Passo Gavia - Bormio (32 miles, 1450m)
Bormio - Stelvio - Bormio - Bormio 2000 – Bormio (41 miles, 2250m)
Bormio - Stelvio - Prato allo Stelvio - Stelvio - Bormio (60 miles, 3350m)
Bormio - Umbrail - Santa Maria - Prato - Stelvio - Bormio (64 miles, 3150m)
Bormio - Passo di Foscagno - Passo d'Eira - Livigno - Punte del Gallo - Punt la Drossa - Ofenpass - Santa Maria - Umbrail Pass - Stelvio - Bormio (71 miles, 3150m)
Bormio - Mazzo - Mortirolo - Ponte di Legno - Passo Gavia – Bormio (72 miles, 3100m)
Bormio - Tirano - Berninapass - Passo d'Eira - Passo di Foscagno - Bormio (83 miles, 2975m)
The Umbrail descent apparently is stunning, according to friends who have done Bormio - Stelvio - Umbrail - Prato - Stelvio - Bormio. It will take a bit longer than going straight down to Prato and back up again, but I think it is worth it.
I'm going at the end of August for Stelvio day, when the road is shut to cars, can't wait. Tried to do it two years ago, but the weather forecast was rain/sleet for two weeks before, and on the day it was snowing they stopped people at Trafoi, which is about a third of the way up from Prato.
I want to do the full loop but I think the missus will divorce me if I do! It looks like 6-7 hours riding time for me, so with a couple of stops it's going to be 8 or more hours, and we have to drive back towards Blighty that day.
I know it is a hard question to answer, but any idea how long to ride Bormio - Stelvio - Bormio? And the full loop via Umbrail and Prato?
I've read that if you only do one side, do the Prato side, but the Bormio climb is still pretty impressive.
You could have a look on Strava for average times for ascents. Comparing it to Ventoux (Similar gradients and elevation) I'm guessing 2.5 hours ascent for average fitness.
Voltaire
I have only ever ridden Bormio - Stelvio - Bormio on a recovery day. Ride time would be about 3 hours for the return journey, but it's the taking of photos that adds to your time! The scenery is lovely, as are a lot of the cars.
You could go drive over to Prato all together for lunch and ride back. Basically what I did on one occasion.
If it helps with negotiations, there is a cracking thermal spa half way up the Stelvio....
My wife has alerted me to the Spa already
Great place Bormio, you'll love it!
That's good news! I feel like I have to do the full loop, as I might never get back to the area - the missus has already brought up repeatedly the failed attempt in 2017 so I am praying the weather gods are on my side. I have booked the Channel Tunnel for around 2 pm on the Sunday so we need to get up to somewhere around Saarbrucken or Luxembourg after I have ridden the Stelvio...
Previous to that, we went there as a family and loved the place. Done the Bormio side twice and Prato once and definitely prefer Bormio. Bucket list destination.
Good info in your write up, thanks for posting the link. Cheers.
Getting excited about our trip now. New bike box purchased, Bianchi all serviced and new 13-29 cassette purchased as I don't fancy trying it on the original 11-25. Managed to shed my winter coat over the last few months and get my weight down from 80kgs to 77kgs (77kg is the point at which my wife tells me I look ill, so don't like going much below this). Plenty of local climbing planned between now and July. Can't wait 8)
Great write up! Can I pick your brains about the Eurostar tunnel/train thing you got to Livigno? I think I will be driving back that way after the Stelvio, do you have to take the train, or is there a road? Should I book it? The Stelvio pass will be closed on the day, so we have to go back either via Livigno or St Moritz...
Voltaire
No need to book, its constantly running, just turn up, pay and drive on to the train. Think the train journey was max 15 mins.
Livigno was definitely the way to go, else you can drive via Bernina and Julier passes - beautiful roads, but seem decent extra miles!
Thanks for that! Will check out the alternatives, I think we'll be pushed for time so probably keep it to the quickest route.
I was wondering if there’s any huge advantage to booking a trip through the likes of Sportive Breaks etc?
From what I can gather, it seems easy enough to book accommodation in Bormio and get there and the Stelvio
etc are easy to get to from Bormio.
We’re not too bothered about having a guide as we’ll plod along at our own pace.
Am I missing anything?
I might have to ride non Campag for the first time in years to get rent a Pinarello with DA, and more importantly,
a 32t cassette
Thanks
I have fitted a Campag 11-32.
Additional info : Bormio is lovely, very picturesque and clean. The spa is worth a visit (Bagni Vecchi) just a few kms outside Bormio on the Stelvio pass - very relaxing and I even had a leg massage which was superb. Plenty of restaurants and bars. One minor complaint was that there seemed to be a lot of flies around - don't know why but it seemed impossible to sit anywhere without having half a dozen flies landing on you.
Had a great weekend in a truly iconic location. I found the climb from Bormio harder than Ventoux. I would go as far as one Passo di Stelvio equals two Ventoux ascents! Maybe I was fitter/lighter last year, but I think I did roughly the same amount of training. From what I read and local information, they say the average gradient is about 6% It could well be, due to some short (too short) false flats etc. but in reality most of the climb is 9-11% and the end is pretty steep too. I have a heart rate monitor and wanted to keep in the three zone to conserve some energy, so I knew I would make the summit, but I was slow and way down the Strava pages. We rode on the Saturday and there are so many motorbikes it almost ruins the day. Riding non weekend if you can is good advice. Same as Ventoux, I realise the mountain is for everybody, but the noise and way they race is inconsiderate. Most car drivers patient and courteous. It's busy at the top but plenty of choice for food and drink and more beautiful views. Excellent descent, but the bikes we hired Trek Domanes, were not that good. Didn't feel stable to really push the speed, we were not impressed with them. be careful of the damp patches in the tunnels too. Overall excellent trip, and created the sort of memories money can't buy, highly recommended.
Voltaire