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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 51°F / 10°C 37°F / 3°C Wednesday 43°F / 6°C 34°F / 1°C
Bormio Loop Bike Rides
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.
100 Km, 3177 meters
62 miles, 10452 feet
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!
103 Km, 3203 meters
64 miles, 10537 feet
Mortirolo/Gavia Loop:
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!
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!"
118 Km, 2814 meters
73 miles, 9258 feet
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.
100 Km, 3431 meters
62 miles, 11287 feet
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!
Bormio Out & Back Bike Rides
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.
43 Km, 1533 meters
26 miles, 5043 feet
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.
53 Km, 1397 meters
32 miles, 4596 feet
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!
48 Km, 1152 meters
29 miles, 3790 feet
Foscagno Pass Out and Back:
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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!
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!
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!
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!