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Ascent to Passo Gavia from Bormio
03:18
52.5km
1,450m
Road cycling
The Ascent to Passo Gavia from Bormio is a difficult road cycling route, covering 32.6 miles (52.5 km) with a challenging 4746 feet (1446 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking 3 hours and 17 minutes. You start on a wide road, passing through villages with some cobbled sections, before the climb truly begins after Santa Caterina Valfurva. The scenery transforms from forests to a more barren, almost moon-like landscape as you gain altitude, with the last 5 kilometers revealing picturesque lakes and towering peaks. Look for the Ponte dell'Alpe as you climb, a notable landmark on this demanding ascent.
While the road surface is generally good in the lower sections, be aware that it can become cracked and bumpy higher up, requiring caution. The route features frequent changes in gradient, with maximum gradients reaching 12% to 18% in some demanding sections. You will find around 10 switchbacks, mostly after Santa Caterina, before a more direct push to the summit. Be prepared for the unpredictability of mountain weather; large snow toppings are often visible even in summer, and sudden, severe changes can occur. Using appropriate mountain gearing, such as a 34/32 setup, is highly recommended for this sustained effort.
This legendary ascent holds a prominent place in road cycling history, often featuring in the Giro d'Italia. It gained iconic status in 1988 when Andy Hampsten famously battled blizzard conditions to secure the pink jersey, an event that etched the Gavia into cycling folklore. As one of the highest paved roads in the Alps, connecting the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia, it attracts cyclists from across Europe. Its proximity to other renowned climbs like the Stelvio and Mortirolo makes it a key component of challenging multi-climb routes in the region.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
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After 13.7 km for 25.2 km
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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277 m
Bormio Old Town
Highlight • Settlement
Translated by Google •
Tip by
23.9 km
Gavia Pass Glacier
Highlight • Natural Monument
Translated by Google •
Tip by
26.1 km
Lago Bianco
Highlight • Lake
Translated by Google •
Tip by
26.2 km
Gavia Pass
Highlight • Mountain Pass
Translated by Google •
Tip by
52.5 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
42.1 km
7.37 km
2.50 km
304 m
104 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
49.5 km
2.16 km
436 m
222 m
129 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (2,620 m)
Lowest point (1,210 m)
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Weather
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Today
Monday 25 May
27°C
9°C
46 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
Today day 4, on the Gavia very nice pass 👍😅☀️ , but the descent is a bit bumpy, very bad asphalt, you had to be careful 🙈😄.
It's chilly on the way down so don't forget to take your arm warmers, gilet and rain jacket.
Today is a rest day, according to the program🙈😜, a short tour🙈😉 up the Gavia, cold as always on the Gavia, but beautiful. Great descent, top-notch asphalt, unlike 4 years ago, when it was a potholed track🙈.
Today is the day of rest. That's why the route is short. There were a few additional offers - like Mortirolo or Torre du Fraele - there were. But we turned them down in favor of the beautiful old town of Bormio. In contrast to yesterday, we practically go straight to the ascent to the Gavia, so warm-up takes place with the first quite decent hm. After the first few km, your body and mind have got used to the state of going uphill. After Santa Caterina the steeper part of the driveway awaits us and the Gavia presents itself with its typical steep ramps to reach its climax at km 20. We crank without stress. The Gavia presents itself in all its beauty when we reach the plateau. Adorned with a sea of silver thistles. If the Stelvio is the queen, the Gavia comes right after. The last km to the pass are flat and the anticipation for the lunch break can spread. On the descent you have to correctly assess the partially rough surface. We're back early for a dirty beer and the old town.
The aim of this 2-day stay in Bormio was to get their wives to do the Stelvio Pass, as they had never done it before... but the closure of the pass due to landslides meant they had to divert to the Gavia Pass, which was also unknown to them. It also coincided with the traffic closure for the Mapei Day... it was a beautiful day, see you Bormio for the Stelvio Pass 😘
‘I've never done the Gavia’ I told Daniele at the end of day 2. ‘Well, let's do it tomorrow’ he just replied. At 2621 metres, the Passo Gavia is one of the highest paved passes in the Alps. It achieved mythical status in 1988, during a stage of the Giro d'Italia that saw the peloton pass over the summit in a terrible snowstorm. So I'm very excited to be meeting up again with Daniele for my third day in the area, this time on the road. We'll climb the Gavia as an out and back from Bormio, but with a twist. The road to the Santa Caterina ski resort (km 11) is wide and gently uphill. A welcome warm-up before the climb proper: on the 10 kilometres leading towards the Gavia summit, the average gradient approaches 9%. But the unique atmosphere of this climb makes you forget the intense effort. We see dozens of cyclists in a constantly changing environment: a first section in the forest, then pastures and finally a rocky alpine landscape above 2300m. I relish every metre of this legendary pass. At the summit, a typical atmosphere greets us. The bar at the Rifugio Bonetta is crowded with cyclists, motorbikers and tourists alike. And on the walls, souvenirs of the famous 1988 Giro stage make this place truly special. My first Gavia! What a thrill, thank you Daniele. Is our day over? No, because my guide has a surprise in store for me: the Forni climb, a dead end road up a remote valley carved out by the glacier of the same name. As I'm now used to in this region, the start is innocuous. The slope is gentle, you could even call it a false flat. The last 4 kilometres, on the other hand, are wild: because of a few short flat sections, the average gradient is 11%, but in fact it hovers around 12-14% most of the time. However, the scenery is stunning and the road is virtually deserted apart from a few intrepid riders like us. It's a truly special experience. ‘A few years ago, I would never see any cyclists on this climb,’ says Daniele as I catch my breath on the terrace of the Rifugio Forni before heading back down to Bormio. ‘Today, they're gradually discovering these quiet roads away from the traffic of the big passes,’ he continues with a smile. A reputed guide in the region, he plays a key role in this process and can be proud of it. As I was able to discover over these 3 days, Bormio has much more to offer than the Stelvio.
