AT A GLANCE
Location: Lombardy and South Tyrol, Italy Road: SS38, Passo dello Stelvio Distance: 28 miles from Bormio to Prato Allo Stelvio Summit: 9,045 ft Best Direction to Ride: The Prato Allo Stelvio approach provides the iconic uphill 48-hairpin experience Ride Time: Half day Skill Level: Advanced mountain riding Best Bike Type: Sport-touring, standard, ADV, touring
From here, the road splits. To the right, you have Umbrail Pass, which takes you immediately into Switzerland following ridgelines. This route is generally less traveled and spits you out in Val Müstair. If you stay to the left, however, you can continue to follow SS38,“ Passo dello Stelvio,” all the way to Bormio.
Descending toward Bormio, the road dives through a series of tunnels carved into the mountainside, emerging into views of rugged Alpine peaks and cascading waterfalls. After concentrating so intensely on the switchbacks during the climb, the descent felt like a chance to take in the landscape. The tunnels add another dimension to the ride, between alternating darkness and bright Alpine sunlight as the road works its way down the mountain. Take caution in these tunnels, as many have turns within them that can be hard to see while your eyes are adjusting.
Just remember that Stelvio is a high-mountain road, and conditions can change quickly. The pass is closed during the winter and may not open until late spring or early summer depending on snowfall. Even when the valleys are warm, temperatures at the summit can be dramatically cooler. Check road conditions and weather before heading up, and don’ t assume that a clear morning in the valley means clear conditions at 9,000 feet.
When we returned to the summit after exploring the nearby roads, the quiet mountain we’ d experienced earlier was already coming alive. The smell of roasting sausages filled the air, motorcycles crowded the parking areas, and the souvenir shops were open for business.
We found a restaurant, ordered cappuccinos and spaghetti Bolognese, and watched the traffic crawl across the mountain. When in Italy, right?
Stelvio is famous because of how it looks, but riding it reveals why it has earned its reputation. The road is demanding, dramatic, and occasionally intimidating. It takes you from green valleys into an Alpine world, then sends you back down the other side through tunnels, waterfalls, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps.
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / OCTOBER 2026 / 9