This will be a shorter day, allowing us to get into Como area earlier and hopefully rest up for the afternoon and take in the ambience. The main feature enroute is the famous Stelvio Pass–highes tpass road in the Eastern Alps. We’ll then traverse a couple of smaller passes–Gaviaand Mortirolo.Towards the end, we will track down the Eastern shore of Lake Como, and then back North to Bellagio mid-lake.
Daily Highlights
- Stelvio Pass The Stelvio Pass is a mountain pass in northern Italy bordering Switzerland at an elevation of 2,757 m above sea level. It is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps, 13 m below France’s Col de l’Iseran. Its seventy-five hairpin turns, 48 of them on the northern side numbered with stones, are a popular challenge for motorists.
- Gavia Pass Gavia Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.621 m (8,599ft) above the sea level, located in the Lombardy region, Italy. The pass is traversed by the SP29 road, and it’s often used on the route of the Giro d’Italia road bicycle race. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Italy. It’s perhaps the most challenging climb of all. It is an extremely difficult climb, with a combination of length, average gradients, maximum gradient and elevation gain not matched by any other climb in Europe. The Passo di Gavia is one of the highest and even most beautiful passes of the Alps and divides the province of Sondrio to the north and the province of Brescia to the south. Road surface is very good. You will not see many cars on this road, but motorcycles are a common sight.
- Mortirolo Pass–the “Pirates Climb” The Mortirolo Pass is a high mountain pass in the Alps in Italy. Also known as Passo di Foppa, it connects Mazzo di Valtellina and Val Camonica. The road from Mazzo di Valtellina is one of the most demanding climbs in professional road bicycle racing, having been used in the Giro d’Italia stage race many times.
- Bellagio Bellagio is a village on a promontory jutting out into Lake Como, in Italy. It’s known for its cobbled lanes, elegant buildings and Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden with lake views. Nearby are the Tower of the Arts, a venue for exhibitions and performances, and the Romanesque San Giacomo Church. Close to rocky Loppia Beach, the Museum of Navigational Instruments displays sundials and compasses.
Daily Video
Daily Blog
Well I don’t know what just happened but I think I’m alive. We have just climbed the Stelvio Pass with every idiot in Europe that owns a bicycle, motorbike or retro car. It is 10kms to the top with 70 odd hairpin bends & each one was a melee. Stopped on corners, eye to eye with motorists & cyclists. No one moving. Trying to keep the revs up while not going over the edge. The only relief was getting through the chaos at the top & coming down the opposite side. Thank goodness for video cos no one will believe this!
A promising start went to hell in a hand basket. Anyway, we’re now having coffee in Bormio & laughing about an experience we never want to have again. The Stelvio Pass is a mountain pass in northern Italy bordering Switzerland at an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level. It is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps, 13 m (43 ft) below France’s Col de l’Iseran (2,770 m (9,088 ft)).At this point, Hydro excitedly speaks of the next Pass this afternoon. Singo, Tony & Boxy grab their helmets, set the Satnav to Bellagio & take off. Russ & Hydro head for the Pass.
The three musketeers have ridden to Lake Como & boarded a ferry for Bellagio. “No Bellagio” was all the hilarious crew man could say as he doubled up. I think he was taking the piss. So we travelled to Mennagio & caught the next Ferry to Bellagio. A lovely day to be on the water. Drinks down on the water & then to La Pergola for dinner on the lake.
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