Satellite map of Stelvio Pass

Lombardy · Italy

Stelvio Pass

SS38Bormio to Prad am Stilfserjoch – Prato allo Stelvio

Distance28.4 mi46 km
Drive time1 h 6 minon the road
DifficultyExperttightness 8 of 10
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The cathedral of mountain passes, 48 stacked hairpins to a 2,757 m sky.

The Stelvio is the one every driver dreams of: from Bormio it climbs relentlessly, then on the Prato side unspools 48 numbered hairpins stacked up the mountainside to the second-highest paved pass in the Alps. It is exposed, busy with cyclists and bikers, and utterly unforgettable, drive it early, and treat the drops with respect.

Forty-eight numbered hairpins stacked up a mountainside. The most theatrical road in Europe, and a rite of passage for anyone who loves driving.

Why we picked it

Where it runs28.4 mi · point to point

BormioStart · Lombardy
Prad am Stilfserjoch – Prato allo StelvioEnd · Lombardy

Character

Corners75bends
Tightness8of 10
Max gradient12%≈ 1-in-8
Hairpins75tight bends
Climb1,568 mtotal ascent
Summit2,757.2 mhighest point of the line · 9,046 ft

More hairpins than 9 in 10 roads · the most hairpins in Italy, by our count in the catalogue.

Corners

busiest around mile 20
71421 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%909 – 2,757.2 m
summit · 2,757.2 m 1,0001,5002,0002,500 m 01428 mi

From the road

Points of interest3 stops

  • Stilfserjoch – Passo StelvioViewpoint
    13 mi in
  • Denkmal Erstbesteigung des Ortler 1804 – Memoriale prima salita dell’Ortles 1804Landmark
    19 mi in
  • Casino dei Rotteri di Sponda LongaLandmark
    8.1 mi in

Hazards

  • 48 tight hairpins with drops
  • Heavy cyclist and motorbike traffic
  • Closed and snowbound in winter

Sources

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Stelvio Pass: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Stelvio Pass?
Stelvio Pass runs 28.4 miles (46 km) and takes about 1 h 6 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Stelvio Pass to drive?
We rate it expert: 75 corners including 75 hairpins, a maximum gradient of 12%, and a tightness of 8 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Stelvio Pass?
Summer and Autumn are best. The road closes seasonally over winter; check it has reopened before setting out.

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