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Climbing out of the saddle on the way up to Passo Gavia.
Cortina - The heart of the Dolomites
Cortina d'Ampezzo, long famous for its hiking and climbing, became world famous by hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Today, wonderful road cycling and mountain biking make Cortina a "must go" destination for active sports enthusiasts.
Picture yourself riding, hiking, and mountain biking among the Dolomites' shear rock faces!
Bormio - Big Giro d'Italia Passes
The Mortirolo, Gavia, & Stelvio–These famous Giro passes challenge you with their long climbs and fast descents!
Bormio's picturesque alpine setting is perfect for tackling these passes, and its quiet old town center provides a true "Italian" experience!
Less famous, Bormio's hiking and MTB are equally world class!
Bellagio - Lakes and Mountains
There's nothing like the water, sky, and mountains of Lago di Como!
Popular with Italians for their summer vacations, countless boats of all varieties dot the deep blue water.
After cycling and hiking among the lakeside villas and gardens, we "get out on the water," with a ferry ride back to our hotel!
Massa/Carrara - The Italian Riviera
Wonderful biking and hiking around the Apli Apuane marble quarries of Michelangelo fame!
Appearing snow-capped in summer, due to the bright-white marble, we hike and bike trails and roads built over 2000 years!
With a scant 5 Km between alpi and mare–and the beach–our apres sport is a nap in the sun, and a dip in the Mediterranean!
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Cycling Bormio's Classic Passes

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Conquer Bormio's big 3: Mortirolo, Gavia, & Stelvio!
(See also our Italian Lake & Alps Ramble)
 
Executive Summary:

Enjoy 9 days cycling 3 of the most famous Giro d'Italia passes: The Mortirolo, Gavia, and Stelvio. Alternate days of riding big multi-pass loops with an off day or a shorter ride or hike, and spend each evening enjoying the best of Bormio's northern Italian cuisine and local Valtellina vino rosso!
How tough is it?
Overall: 3-4 out of 5 – 3 big loops, each 6 to 8 hours on the road.
Mileage: 62 to 80 miles – You can always ride less if you want!
Climbing: 2 or more passes on the big loop rides, 10,000+ feet!
Support: Our van has tools, water, bars, and Hammer products!
Activities: Shop old town, roman baths, gelato, & a rifugio lunch!
Bormio = Cycling = Big Passes = A Great Vacation + So much more!
If a weeks vacation riding your bike in Italy is in the stars, then Bormio is a great place for it!
Passo Gavia near Bormio, Italy
On top of Passo Gavia after first climbing Passo Mortirolo. From Rifugio Bonetta it's a fast and fun 25km descent back to Bormio!
Join Altaquota Adventures for a week long cycling adventure in Bormio, where we'll ride three of the most famous and most challenging Giro d'Italia passes—the Mortirolo, Gavia, and Stelvio—among others, while savoring the clear mountain air and enjoying sumptuous dinners featuring the tasty local cuisine and Valtellina wines.
Bormio is perfect for our week long cycling adventure, and not only for the spectactular glacier capped mountains soaring upward on both sides of the valleys through which our roads pass, but also for its picturesque quiet charm, with a thriving old town seemingly from a forgotten age. Few if any ski-towns in the Italian Alps approach Bormio's historic character coupled with its anything-but-tame flare.
Plenty of cozy restaurants are tucked into quaint corners, while modern shops line the old-town pedestrian only main street. An evening tradition, not to be missed, is the passeggiata, a social walk during the hour before heading to dinner, while the stores are still open, so once can window shop and have l'aperitivo!
Hot spring baths are a special Bormio treat—one included with your tour—and there are three of them: Bagni Vecchi (the old baths, ~536 AD), Bagni Nuovi (the new baths, ~1836), and Bormio Terme, the modern baths (~1913).
Our 9 Day Bormio Itinerary*:
    *Changable, of course, for weather and other factors!
Day 1:
Plan to arrive at Milan's Malpensa Airport (MXP) and meet our shuttle for the transfer to our Bormio hotel. Typically, our shuttle departs MXP at ~2 PM which facilitates a large number of inbound flight options.
At our hotel, you'll have the chance to freshen up, then we'll help assemble your bike (pick-up your rental). Later, it's time for a walk around town, and you'll experience your first evening passeggiata, as we introduce you to Bormio and have "happy hour" at Bar Bormio before dinner.
Day 2:
We'll likely start our tour with a "warm up" ride, one that will loosen up your legs after your long flight, plus tests your wind at higher altitudes (above 1200m/4000'), before our 3 big rides!
After breakfast we'll climb up to the Lago di Cancano at a leisurely pace. Part loop, part out-and-back, this ride has a couple of distance and climbing options, but expect 20 – 26 miles and 2000 – 3000' climbing.
Please note, the weather can be fickle in the Italian Alps, and our big loop rides are better without rain, so depending on the forecast, we might ride long today, then do Cancano tomorrow.
Day 3:
On this tour, it's all about riding the long rides and big Giro passes, so plan on an early start!
We'll tackle the Stelvio Pass Loop and conquer Passo Umbrail and the infamous east side of the Stelvio Pass with its 40 switchbacks, while pedaling only 63 miles with 10,300'+ of climbing! Bonus miles and climbing are available if you want them, as it's only another 300m climbing to the Stelvio from the west!
Afterwards, enjoy a nap and a snack before we continue exploring Bormio before dinner.
Day 4:
Today is either an off-day or a short "recovery" ride. In either case, it needs to be an easier day as we have a big one tomorrow when we do the big double passes: Mortirolo and Gavia!
After our ride, some relaxation and lunch is in order, then we'll introduce some of the local grappe (Italian plural of grappa) in one of the local bars. At dinner, sample the local specialties – hearty pasta, cheese, and meat dishes perfect to fuel long hours of mountain work, cold days of winter, or cycling two huge Giro passes!
Day 5:
After yesterday's easy or rest day, we're back in the saddle for our second big loop ride, and will face the dual challenge of Passo Mortirolo and Passo Gavia. This loop is ~10 miles longer than the Stelvio Loop, but climbs the same 10000+'.
We'll plan on a 7 AM breakfast and being in the saddle by 8:30 AM, as this ride is of the longest duration, and we want to minimize the chance of an afternoon rain dampening our spirits!
We'll feast on something special tonight, and toast our challenging and beautiful ride!
Day 6:
We'll either take the day off, or I'll take you on a short hike to a mountain rifugio (hut) near the Forni glacier–largest in the Italian Alps, although it has retreated substantially in 200 years.
Lunch at rifugio La Branca is special a treat with the best Pizzoccheri (local pasta dish) that I've ever tasted. After lunch, we have a few trail options leading back to our van, should anyone wish some bonus miles.
Back in Bormio, there will be plenty of time for sightseeing, relaxing, or shopping before dinner.
Day 7:
We've saved our longest ride, with the biggest altitude gain on a single climb, for today as we tackle the Bernina Loop.
Desceding from Bormio to Tirano, we'll enter Switzerland and climb 1865m to Forcella di Livigno (Stelvio east side was 1843m). After the descent into Livigno, we'll climb passes Eira and Foscagno before descending to Bormio. Bonus miles: add the Passo Bernina out-and-back.
A nice walk about town before our sumptuous dinner is a great way to loosen up our tired legs!
Day 8:
An optional off day, but I often ride out-and-back ride up to Passo Gavia–we haven't climbed it from the Bormio side (we did it from Ponte di Legno)–and the descent from Rifugio Bonetta (after a quick snack) is well worth repeating!
But there's more, as this afternoon we'll enjoy a few hours relaxating in the famous natural hot springs baths of Bagni Vecchi, that date from Roman times! After the baths, it's time to mettere le gambe sotto il tavolo (to put our legs under the table) and enjoy our dinner together.
Day 9:
We'll have time for a somewhat more leisurely breakfast this morning, as we don't have to be on our bikes by 8 or 8:30 AM. Rather, we can relax a bit before loading up the van for our 9 AM departure for Milan's Malpensa Airport (MXP).
For our guests staying with us for a second weeks' adventure, you'll have the chance for a walk around Bormio, or perhaps even a short hike, before we shuttle to our next wonderful Italian location!
 
Book Bormio's Classic Passes
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Bormio's Classic Passes: 
 
 
 
July 31 to August 8, 2014: 
(9 Days & 8 Nights, Thursday to Friday)
 
 
 
Tour price: 
2510 €
$ 2888.01
  (Exchange Rate 1.15060 $/€)
Your Bormio's Classic Passes Tour Includes:
  • 9 days in Italy, Thursday to Friday
  • 8 Nights, 3 or 4-Star Hotels, double-occupancy
    (Single Room supplement available)
    (Double Room used as Single Room supplement available)
  • Free Shuttle from Malpensa Airport(MXP) to Bormio1a
    (Alternate shuttle times available as supplement)
  • Free Shuttle from Bormio to Malpensa Airport(MXP)1b
    (Alternate shuttle times available as supplement)
  • 9 days guided tour; cycling, sightseeing, dining, & fun!2
  • Support vehicle for all group rides
  • 9 days assistant guide(s)3
  • All local transportation/transfers/ferries
  • Buffet Breakfast in our hotel each morning
  • Lunch/Snack on the road/trail each noon4
  • Dinner, including wine, each night5
  • Visit to Bagni Vecchi (Roman hot spring baths, Bormio)
What's Not Included:6
  • Roundtrip Airfare to our gateway airports
  • Health/Medical/Travel Insurance and expenses
    (Travel Insurance is highly recommended)
  • Optional activities of interest
    (e.g. dining out, Bagni Nuovi, lift tickets, The Red Train, etc.)
  • Items of a personal nature
    (e.g. souvenirs, happy hour, telephone, laundry, etc.)
Some Details & Fine Print:

Note: This mid-summer edition of our Bormio's Classic Passes Tour has no minimum number of guests.

1a Our free shuttle will be available to pick-up guests at Milan's Malpensa airport (MXP) between 2:30 and 3 PM on the arrival Thursday for the ~3:00 drive to our hotel in Bormio. Guests needing a shuttle outside this timeframe can add a shuttle supplement–Contact us for additional information.

1b Our free shuttle will depart our hotel in Bormio at 9:00 AM on the departure Friday for the ~3:00 drive to Malpensa Airport (MXP). Guests needing a shuttle outside this timeframe can add a shuttle supplement–Contact us for additional information.

2 Ajax will be your full-time lead guide. Please note that depending on the size and style of our group, riding speeds, stops for snacks, photos, etc., there will be times when guides and support vehicle(s) are not readily available.

3 The number of assistant guides will depend on the total number of tour clients, at an approximate ratio of 1 to 4/5.

4 Lunch/Snacks on the road/trail will often consist of 15€/day "pocket money," providing the flexibility to eat when and what you want (Divergence from this budget is each client's personal responsibility).

5 Wine and other beverages at dinner are provided based on "reasonable" consumption (375 ml average). Additional beverages must be paid individually and can be charged to your room, so that you can pay these charges at checkout.

6 Our tours are as inclusive as is possible, and our guests typically don't need to spend any money beyond our tour price, unless they choose to do so. Unfortunately, sometimes our guests make mistakes or are the victims of bad luck, and need to fix their bikes or themselves, which always costs money.

Bormio's Classic Passes: 
 
 
 
September 14 to September 22, 2014: 
(9 Days & 8 Nights, Sunday to Monday)
 
 
 
Tour price: 
2410 €
$ 2772.95
  (Exchange Rate 1.15060 $/€)
Your Bormio's Classic Passes Tour Includes:
  • 9 days in Italy, Sunday to Monday
  • 8 Nights, 3 or 4-Star Hotels, double-occupancy
    (Single Room supplement available)
    (Double Room used as Single Room supplement available)
  • Free Shuttle from Malpensa Airport(MXP) to Bormio1a
    (Alternate shuttle times available as supplement)
  • Free Shuttle from Bormio to Malpensa Airport(MXP)1b
    (Alternate shuttle times available as supplement)
  • 9 days guided tour; cycling, sightseeing, dining, & fun!2
  • Support vehicle for all group rides
  • 9 days assistant guide(s)3
  • All local transportation/transfers/ferries
  • Buffet Breakfast in our hotel each morning
  • Lunch/Snack on the road/trail each noon4
  • Dinner, including wine, each night5
  • Visit to Bagni Vecchi (Roman hot spring baths, Bormio)
What's Not Included:6
  • Roundtrip Airfare to our gateway airports
  • Health/Medical/Travel Insurance and expenses
    (Travel Insurance is highly recommended)
  • Optional activities of interest
    (e.g. dining out, Bagni Nuovi, lift tickets, The Red Train, etc.)
  • Items of a personal nature
    (e.g. souvenirs, happy hour, telephone, laundry, etc.)
Some Details & Fine Print:

Note: This early season edition of our Bormio's Classic Passes Tour has no minimum number of guests.

1a Our free shuttle will be available to pick-up guests at Milan's Malpensa airport (MXP) between 2:30 and 3 PM on the arrival Sunday for the ~3:00 drive to our hotel in Bormio. Guests needing a shuttle outside this timeframe can add a shuttle supplement–Contact us for additional information.

1b Our free shuttle will depart our hotel in Bormio at 9:00 AM on the departure Monday for the ~3:00 drive to Malpensa Airport (MXP). Guests needing a shuttle outside this timeframe can add a shuttle supplement–Contact us for additional information.

2 Ajax will be your full-time lead guide. Please note that depending on the size and style of our group, riding speeds, stops for snacks, photos, etc., there will be times when guides and support vehicle(s) are not readily available.

3 The number of assistant guides will depend on the total number of tour clients, at an approximate ratio of 1 to 4/5.

4 Lunch/Snacks on the road/trail will often consist of 15€/day "pocket money," providing the flexibility to eat when and what you want (Divergence from this budget is each client's personal responsibility).

5 Wine and other beverages at dinner are provided based on "reasonable" consumption (375 ml average). Additional beverages must be paid individually and can be charged to your room, so that you can pay these charges at checkout.

6 Our tours are as inclusive as is possible, and our guests typically don't need to spend any money beyond our tour price, unless they choose to do so. Unfortunately, sometimes our guests make mistakes or are the victims of bad luck, and need to fix their bikes or themselves, which always costs money.
Bormio Bike Rides
Bormio, Italy Forecast
Tuesday

51°F / 10°C
37°F / 3°C
Wednesday

43°F / 6°C
34°F / 1°C
Thursday

40°F / 4°C
32°F / 0°C
Tuesday

50°F / 10°C
37°F / 3°C
Wednesday

44°F / 7°C
34°F / 1°C
Powered by WeatherAPI.com
Bormio is home to three of the most famous road cycling passes from Italy's Giro d'Italia bike race: Passo Gavia (2621m), Passo Mortirolo (1852m) and Passo Stelvio (2758m).
While we won't attempt these passes as part of 100+ mile race pace rides, they are challenging goals for most avid cyclists.
Manageable for most amateur cyclists, we'll tackle these passes as part of epic loops or out-and-back.
Small map of the Stelvio Pass Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
63 miles, 2 passes
Stelvio Pass Loop:
Climbing Passo Stelvio (2758m) from both sides in one day is daunting but manageable on this epic loop ride which adds stunning mountain scenery to these tough climbs.
We depart Bormio (1225m), head up Passo Stelvio, then over Passo Umbrail (2503m) for a fast descent into Switzerland.
We continue our rolling descent and re-enter Italy, stop briefly for lunch near Prato allo Stelvio, then face our final climb of the day–Passo Stelvio's 48 switchback east side!
Small map of the Mortirolo and Gavia road bike ride, Bormio Italy
71 miles, 2 passes
Mortirolo and Gavia:
EPIC, EPIC, EPIC! This ride is a challenge, as facing both Passo Mortirolo (1852m) and Passo Gavia (2621m) on the same ride is major commitment, and we'll start early to beat the heat up Passo Mortirolo!
Our warm-up out of Bormio is a fast, rolling descent to Mazzo, where we'll begin the Mortirolo. A short (annoying) 200m climb midway gives our climbing legs their first test.
After lunch in Ponte di Legno we head up the Gavia, then enjoy my favorite descent back to Bormio–it is truly a "must do descent!"
Small map of the Bernina Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
80 miles, 3 passes
Bernina Loop:
This ride shows you one reason why Italy is so great for cycling–in that most Italian climbs are around 7% pitch, but in Switzerland, 10 - 15% might well be the norm.
Truthfully, this is a great ride, but every time I've done it the temperature has soared over 100, and I've cooked on the climb out of Tirano!
This summer, we'll choose a cooler day for this ride.
Small map of the Ofenpass Loop road bike ride, Bormio Italy
70 miles, 4 passes
Ofenpass Loop:
Dip into Switzerland and climb 4 passes on this up-and-down extravaganza!
We climb Passo Foscagno and Passo Eira after leaving Bormio, then descend into Livigno for a lake-tour!
An interesting 4km long tunnel takes us into Switzerland where we'll face the Ofenpass and Passo Umbrail (with its 2 miles of dirt), before we re-enter Italy for our fast and fun descent back to Bormio!
Small map of the Passo Stelvio Out-and-Back road bike ride, Bormio Italy
26 miles, 1 big pass
Stelvio Pass Out-And-Back:
An out-and-back alternative to the Stelvio Pass Loop, this ride remains a challenge with more than 5000' of climbing over 13 miles (7.1% average) to Passo Stelvio (2758m).
Of course, you also get 13 miles of fast and enjoyable descending back to Bormio after you finish your climb.
Several short and sometimes damp tunnels about midway up provide an interesting break from the beautiful scenery.
Small map of the Passo Gavia Out-and-Back road bike ride, Bormio Italy
31 miles, 1 big pass
Gavia Pass Out-And-Back:
A less strenuous but still challenging Passo Gavia (2621m) option is ridden as an out-and-back from our hotel. Without the extra miles and 2 pass commitment of the loop ride, this ride is within range of most amateur cyclists, or can be used as an "off-day" ride by stronger riders.
On top of the pass, we'll have the traditional photo opportunity, plus a snack in Rifugio Bonetta, which has lots of photos from historic Giro d'Italia Passo Gavia climbs!
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