The Gavia Pass was reverently called the "Passo della Testa di Morto" in the Middle Ages. In German: "skull pass". Created as the main route between Venice and northern Europe, it made life difficult for merchant caravans with avalanches, fog and falling rocks. Many were killed in the process. This is one of the reasons why the 2621-metre-high pass between Bormio and Ponte di Legno is only open to traffic in summer (June to mid-October). Its bends were only completely resurfaced in 2022, which is what makes it so attractive for motorcyclists in particular. On two days a year, however, the Gavia is closed to motorised traffic and only open to cyclists. An impressive panoramic ride with 1400 metres of elevation gain and several ramps.
Gavia - the pros have never suffered more at the Giro
You just have to decide which side you want to tackle the legendary Giro d'Italia pass from: on the wider northern ramp with a higher gradient and ten tight hairpin bends halfway up in the forest or from the southern side. This side of the pass has only been fully tarmaced since the 1990s and is so narrow and winding in places that car traffic has to use a single lane.
The only important thing is that the weather on the two car-free days of Friday, 5 June and Sunday, 30 August 2026 is fine over the Gavia. Only then can the Ortler and glacier panorama, which grows with every hairpin bend, be shown to its best advantage. Unfortunately, when it comes to cycling events, the pass is better known for its summery winter incursions. The last time the Giro d'Italia peloton rocketed through its hairpin bends in June 1988, snow and sleet rained down from the sky. These were the toughest weather conditions that the Giro had ever had to endure. A few years ago, the BIKE Transalp was already in the starting blocks in mid-July when a massive thunderstorm swept over the Gavia and the stage had to be cancelled.
But the car-free pass days are events without a stopwatch. Participation is free for all bike categories and registration is not necessary. It's best to plan the big classic circuit: This leads via the Mazzo ascent to the Mortirolo Pass (1852 m) and then takes the southern ramp up to the Gavia. Total: 110 kilometres and 3200 metres in altitude. There are also two car-free days for the Mortirolo in summer, albeit a few days later than the Gavia (9 June, 8.30 am - 1 pm) / 28 August (8.30 am - 12 noon).
Gavia Pass north ramp:
- Starting point: Bormio (1217 m)
- Length: 26 km
- Uphill: 1401 metres in altitude
The 26-kilometre northern approach from Bórmio (1217 m) up to the Gavia Pass leads through the Valfurva and initially follows the Torrente Frodolfo, the wild meltwater of the Forni Glacier, to S. Caterina (1736 m). These first 13 kilometres already have a few 12 per cent ramps in store. The serpentines start in the forest. The road becomes narrower and is laid out here in ten pithy loops. But then the trees recede and the view of Punta San Matteo (3678 m) opens up. The road flattens out, you pass the Rifugio A. Berni and then it's just two panoramic kilometres to the top of the pass.
Gavia Pass south ramp:
- Starting point: Ponte di Legno (1258 m)
- Length: 18 kilometres
- Uphill: 1360 metres in altitude
15 hairpin bends: The southern approach from Ponte di Legno (1258 m) is much more relaxed with its 15 hairpin bends and perhaps even more scenic: in Sant' Apollonia, the first ten hairpin bends lead up to the Stelvio National Park. The road then narrows to a single lane, with gradients of 14 and 16 per cent, but offers views in both directions on a straight stretch. But only once you have left the 800 metre long tunnel behind you. The bypass of the old route is currently secured with a construction fence. However, it was not possible to find out if and when a renovation is planned. On the last three kilometres, hairpin bends help you up a rocky step with a fantastic view of Lago Nero in its high alpine pasture bed.
Dates 2026.
- Gavia Pass: 5 June (Friday) / 30 August (Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Mortirolo Pass: 9 June (Tuesday, 8:30 am - 1 pm) / 28 August (Friday, 8:30 am - 12 noon)
Info: bormio.eu
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
