Stelvio Pass, Italy: The Alpine Legend of 48 Hairpin Turns

The Most Dramatic Pass in the Alps

Passo dello Stelvio, located in northern Italy, peaks at 2,758 meters above sea level and is one of the most iconic cycling destinations in the Alps, frequently featuring in decisive stages of the Giro d’Italia. Its signature is the 48 individually numbered hairpin turns on the eastern side.

Comparing the Three Sides

The Numbering of the 48 Turns

Starting from Prato allo Stelvio on the east side, each hairpin turn has a numbered stone marker, counting down from 48 to 1. Reaching turn No. 1 means you’ve made it to the summit. This “countdown” design makes the suffering quantifiable and has become a ritual for cycling fans.

How to Choose Among the Three Sides: Difficulty, Scenery, and Amenities

Many people only worry about which side to climb once they arrive. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each side offers:

• East side (Prato): The most classic and spectacular, with the 48 numbered turns being the “orthodox bucket-list route,” but also the longest and hardest (about 24 km with roughly 1,800 m of climbing), averaging around 7.5% gradient. The thin air in the latter section will noticeably slow you down
• West side (Bormio): Many tunnels with intermittent views, slightly gentler gradient than the east side, often used as the descent route, forming the classic “up the east, down the west” loop with the east side
• Swiss side (Umbrail): The shortest (about 14 km) with the least climbing, suitable for those being conservative with their energy or wanting a second climb to finish the day

The most highly recommended approach is “up the east side from Prato, down the west side to Bormio,” letting you take in the signature turns and enjoy a change of scenery in one day. Using Bormio, Italy as a base offers the most convenient supplies and accommodation, and you can also link up with the nearby Gavia Pass.

Season and Climate

Due to snow, the pass is usually only open from June to October, with exact dates varying by snow conditions each year. Even in midsummer, temperatures near the summit (2,758 m) can approach freezing in the early morning, so be sure to bring warm layers for the descent and full-finger gloves.

Itinerary Suggestions

Bormio, Italy is the usual base. It’s recommended to avoid weekends; on Sundays, there are temporary road closures for cyclists and pedestrians, which is actually a rare opportunity (check the official announcements for that year).

Things to Note

Motorcycles and heavy bikes are extremely common, so on descents you must hold your line carefully and never cross into oncoming traffic. Athletic performance drops noticeably at high altitude, so pace yourself conservatively.

Stelvio tells you with its 48 numbers: no matter how great the suffering, as long as it can be divided and counted, it can be completed. This is not just a climbing philosophy—it’s the solution to any long-term goal.

Related Reading

• Climbing to the Sky Through 48 Hairpin Turns: Why Italy’s Stelvio Is the Pilgrimage Climb for Cyclists Worldwide
• Classic Alpine Gravel in Switzerland and Italy: The Legends and Pacing Pitfalls of Stelvio and Mortirolo
• Giro d’Italia: The Romance and Cruelty of the Pink Jersey
• France’s Alpe d’Huez: A Cycling Pilgrimage Guide to the Tour de France’s Legendary 21 Turns