Ride the Stelvio (Stilfser Joch) Pass twice in one day

[Rasher]

IMHO stop in Livigno and then blast up the (Smoother) West ramp to the top of the Stelvio 1st thing before it is busy, get some pics (it really is very beautiful up there) and have a look down the shitty East ramp to see what your not missing....

...By turning around and then heading back down via the Umbrail and going off to play on the Fluella and Albula for the rest of the day ;-)

The Gavia I absolutely love, Mrs is not as keen due to the number of lumps and bumps in places, and she was on her TDM, it ain't one for ZX10's and Fireblades, but has every right to be on your bucket list, I could happily skip the Stelvio if in the area, but not the Gavia.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

IMHO stop in Livigno and then blast up the (Smoother) West ramp to the top of the Stelvio 1st thing before it is busy, get some pics (it really is very beautiful up there) and have a look down the shitty East ramp to see what your not missing....

...By turning around and then heading back down via the Umbrail and going off to play on the Fluella and Albula for the rest of the day ;-)

The Gavia I absolutely love, Mrs is not as keen due to the number of lumps and bumps in places, and she was on her TDM, it ain't one for ZX10's and Fireblades, but has every right to be on your bucket list, I could happily skip the Stelvio if in the area, but not the Gavia.

We stayed in Livigno a few years back, possibly the best place to stay in that area, ace passes everywhere, much cheaper than rip off Switzerland but right next door and a mega place in the evening.

 

[harley-metisse]

Ride the Stelvio

Hi all, my observations - don't ride the Stelvio Pass on the weekends, always aim for being in that area around mid-week if possible.
You will still meet the occasional coach trying to go up and over, they struggle on the tight hairpin bends so be carefull, you might find your side of the road blocked etc, but you do see them coming.
What will catch you out are some of the hairpins, they are very sharp, they will go 180 degrees in the width of a kerbstone, it will catch you out.
One year we were there and we passed an Audi R8 in a layby, being photographed, what we didn't realise was it was a photo shoot for some motoring magazine or other and within 10 minutes it went past us like we were going backwards, the driver could certainly drive, the rear of the car was completely out of shape on every bend, frightening, but exciting at the same time. At the top, they were parked and out of the car and I didn't have a clue who he was, but he was bloody good.
For my money, the ride north up from Bormio up to the top is better that the ride down over the scenic (always photographed) side.
The Passo do Gavia is worth a look as well, but it is narrow in places.
It is one of those passes that will always be on everyone's bucket list and it is worth visiting.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

These guys were staying at our hotel in Livigno on another trip, apparently they are quite quick on bikes....

....and these guys as well....found it strange them staying in the same hotel as each other...

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

Back on the Stelvio....

 

[Wapping]

I don’t think your pictures are appearing. At least they are not appearing on my iPad.

 

[EVskiy]

…. Nor my iPhone! Sort it out [mention]Cabby [/mention]

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

Bugger, showing up for me.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

Let's try again...

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

The fast biker type chaps I referred to earlier....As I said earlier I found it strange they were staying in the same hotel but maybe that's the nor.

 

[adm1]

That's a nice route and I have done most of it. Stayed in Tirana for a few days which was good as it gave a base to go further south as well.

And yes - top respect to the cycling dudes. One day we went up the Fluela Pass in pissing rain and sleet, finally ending up in a blizzard at the top (in June) and all ended up shivering and congratulating ourselves over bowls of steaming goulash in the restaurant at the top, when a couple of cyclist wandered in in Lycra as if the weather and the slopes were nothing to be bothered about.

 

[Wapping]

I tripped over this whilst tapping in Motorrad magazine’s website:

https://www.motorradonline.de/tourentipps/620e61be57108a00084c6ad1

It translates reasonably well into English, just using Safari’s instant translation button:

 

[Stoffel]

Stelvio has always been on our bucket list, and living in South Africa, was almost impossible!
Now living in the UK, we are planning to take a few days off, go ride the Stelvio, and then come back! Thinking of 5 days? Is it doable, and any recommendations?

TIA,

Chris.


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[Wapping]

You live in the UK.

Five days in all to get there (the top of the Stelvio) and back, starting from and returning to wherever it is you are in the UK? Or five days to get to the top of the Stelvio from wherever it is you happen to arrive on the mainland of Europe?

Suggestions?

Try to tell everyone quite clearly what it is you are trying to ask for information on.

Don’t stand up on the pegs all the way there and back. You’ll look ridiculous.

 

[Stoffel]

Wrapping, thanks for feedback. Will be leaving from just outside Leighton Buzzard, 5-7 days there and back, planning to ride the Stelvio on the Wednesday!


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[Rasher]

Do-able, but there are so many much better roads in the area - and on the way there and back, and if you only plan 5 days you will miss so much great stuff.

7 days is much better - but if you can take a week of work and make it 9 days it would be even better.

Also depends how happy you are burning off miles on Motorways, some folks hate doing any motorway at all - so allow 3 days each way, others will happily sit on a motorway for 12 hours with minimal stops - you could be there in a day!

With a mix of Motorway at the start / end of the trip 2 days each way is bearable - assuming your close to a crossing, if it takes you 5 hours to get to Folekstome to cross then its really 3 days out / back.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

You can get an evening Eurotunnel, stop in La Coquelles and be within range of the Stelvio inside a day but it’s not going to be a pleasant day, it’ll be a slog.

Personally I’d still do the overnighter at La Coquelles then go through Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and make it a holiday rather than a mission. The most important question is when you want to go because some of the high passes don’t open until June.

 

[Wapping]

The Stelvio is iconic, so worth doing if South Africa is your natural home. It’s worth doing even if South Africa is not your natural home.

If we allow half a day (up and down) that leaves four and a half days for your journey Leighton Buzzard to the top of the Stelvio and back to Leighton Buzzard. Leighton Buzzard to the Stelvio is about 850 miles direct(ish) - 1,360 km - using motorways and avoiding goat tracks. The return is about the same, strangely enough.

Starting your journey from Calais (or south of there) ie. crossing over the afternoon before (there’s good use of the half day, using it to go from Leighton Buzzard to Calais) would be a clear advantage.

Is it doable? Yes.

Over to you now, as you’ll know how feasible this is for YOU to do.

 

[Deleted account 220319001]

I believe they open the stelvio in May as they send up snow blowers and ploughs to shift it.

 

[Wapping]

If not, they are bound to open it sometime else….. and maybe even close it again.

It is usually open around about the LAST week in May / 01 June. You’ll be fecked if you arrive on the 6th or even the 10th of May.