Stelvio - Beyond the hairpins

[Wapping]

Love it or loath it, the Stevio is iconic.

I first heard about it as a lad from my father, not least as he and my mother had driven it in the mid-50’s in their Morris Minor on their honeymoon. I guess that, since then I’ve always had some kind of fascination with it and the Dolomites. I’m not sure how often I’ve been to the top from each side, but I’d guess seven.

I quite enjoyed this video:

 

[GTMorgan]

I've made a slight detour to my route to 'have a go' at it for the first time in September, on my way to the Dolomites, it's just one of the roads I'd like to tick off the list.

 

[autogs]

I've made a slight detour to my route to 'have a go' at it for the first time in September, on my way to the Dolomites, it's just one of the roads I'd like to tick off the list.

Which way are you going to do it?

 

[snelly]

Love it or loath it, the Stevio is iconic.

I first heard about it as a lad from my father, not least as he and my mother had driven it in the mid-50’s in their Morris Minor on their honeymoon. I guess that, since then I’ve always had some kind of fascination with it and the Dolomites. I’m not sure how often I’ve been to the top from each side, but I’d guess seven.

I quite enjoyed this video:

The Dolomites is one of our all time favourite trips; even fully loaded you could still find a rythm;; the Mrs is a big Italy fan;; i don't think we will ever be well enough again to give it another go; so it's a case of Italy ; thanks for the memories.

 

[GTMorgan]

Which way are you going to do it?

We'll have the first night in Italy in Bormio so, will head from there.

 

[autogs]

We'll have the first night in Italy in Bormio so, will head from there.

Imo the best experience is going up the other side first but I spose you could turn round and and go up and down again!

 

[Burridge01]

I'll be staying in the Dolomites at the end of me Italy trip in September. Any recommendations on places to stay will be more than welcome.Or possibly the Austrian side.

 

[GTMorgan]

Imo the best experience is going up the other side first but I spose you could turn round and and go up and down again!

May well do that, I'm probably going to drop the wife, and luggage at Berghotel Franzenshohe for coffee and cake, then have a blast on my own

​

 

[Wapping]

I'll be staying in the Dolomites at the end of me Italy trip in September. Any recommendations on places to stay will be more than welcome.Or possibly the Austrian side.

Try the Accommodation sub-section of the Alps / Dolomites’ section of Travel.

 

[autogs]

May well do that, I'm probably going to drop the wife, and luggage at Berghotel Franzenshohe for coffee and cake, then have a blast on my own

​

Great idea,Don't forget to head up to the tibetan hut right at the top of stelvio

 

[Burridge01]

Try the Accommodation sub-section of the Alps / Dolomites’ section of Travel.

I'll do just that,cheers.

 

[leadfarmer]

I like going up from the Bormio side, the hairpins on the other side are easier to go down than up

Hotel Madatsch in Trafoi, at the end of the pass is very nice, we were lucky enough to get a room facing straight up the glacier

www.hotelmadatsch.it/en/

 

[Mr Derek]

Which way are you going to do it?

Up first, I'm guessing

 

[autogs]

Up first, I'm guessing

Very good!

 

[andy tims]

I'll be staying in the Dolomites at the end of me Italy trip in September. Any recommendations on places to stay will be more than welcome.Or possibly the Austrian side.

We stayed overnight at the Utia de Borz. Stunning place in the Dolomites. Great food, rooms basic but comfortable.

 

[Burridge01]

We stayed overnight at the Utia de Borz. Stunning place in the Dolomites. Great food, rooms basic but comfortable.

Thanks for the tip Andy,I've made an enquiry to stay here for 2 nights

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.tibet-stelvio.com/tibet-hut.htm&ved=2ahUKEwi1gtK01YuTAxW_XEEAHSubEf8QFnoECCAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3aSUTojsQx4sGDX2NSPwpx

(After seeing it mentioned earlier)

If i draw a blank then I'll look into your suggestion. Thanks.

 

[GTMorgan]

Thanks for the tip Andy,I've made an enquiry to stay here for 2 nights

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.tibet-stelvio.com/tibet-hut.htm&ved=2ahUKEwi1gtK01YuTAxW_XEEAHSubEf8QFnoECCAQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3aSUTojsQx4sGDX2NSPwpx

(After seeing it mentioned earlier)

If i draw a blank then I'll look into your suggestion. Thanks.

Yeah, I've been looking at booking that too, looks great!

 

[Burridge01]

Yeah, I've been looking at booking that too, looks great!

It certainly does,hopefully I've made the enquiry early enough to get a room.Not cheap for a solo rider but got to be worth the experience.

 

[Burridge01]

Yeah, I've been looking at booking that too, looks great!

Got a fairly prompt reply and now booked for 2 nights in September. Should be entertaining.

 

[Rasher]

The West ramp is much nicer, mainly smooth and wide, very good fun riding either way, and you can "attack it" a bit easier going up without the front running away.

The East ramp is much rougher, narrower and tighter, so I prefer going down so you can look at what is coming up and time the hairpins so as to not meet a bus, car or even a wayward bikermate half way around.

If stopping overnight in Bormio (which I did in 2013) the Stelvio will be a few minutes from the Hotel, so you will also get it before the rush starts, but it may be a bit chilly at the top 1st thing, but worth it to run up with barely any other traffic. We also did it late afternoon in 2010 which was nice, as we went up everyone else (tons of cycles / bikes / busses) were all coming back down, we got a coffee and strudel just before the cafe's closed, and by the time we came down there was virtually no traffic.

The Stelvio is a "box ticking" excersize as their are better "biking" roads, but it is iconic, the views from the top are great, don't forget your sticker / T-Shirt at the top ;-)

And whilst admiring the view at the top, remind yourself you are heading to even more spectacular roads, the Dolomites are awesome!