Passo Mortirolo (Mazzo di Valtellina) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

14.9
FIETS
7.2 mi
DISTANCE
4,176 ft
GAINED
11.1 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Luke Hise, AZ

INTRO

Mortirolo. Yes THE Mortirolo! We love Mortirolo, and, contrary to many of its “sans scenery” critics, we beg to differ! At #9 on the Top Italian Climbs list, it is a stout climb and serious challenge. There is a reason this climb has been one of the most frequently visited by the Giro d ’Italia over the years (see chart in Full Summary). Yes, the distant views are often blocked by the thickly wooded forests bordering the road as we ascend, but to the interested and trained eye, there is much to behold.
This climb is ALL about UP - ride 11.6 kilometers gaining 1,270 meters at 11.1% with 0 descent.  57% of the climb is at 10-15% grade and 7% is at 15-20%.  The steepest 500 meters is 15.8% and steepest kilometer 15%.  

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Roadway:  Because this is a Giro favorite, this narrow two lane roadway is in pristine condition.  

Traffic:  Mild.

Parking:  Ride from Bormio if you are staying at that Italian Alps cycling hub (see PJAMM climb area page - Bormio, Italy), or on Via Orti 1 kilometer from the start of the climb - MapStreet View
Provisions:  There may be a food truck at the finish.  There is also a refugio just below the top of the climb and a couple just past it. 

We have stayed twice in Bormio (see PJAMM Top World Climb Area - Bormio, Italy) when we have climbed Mortirolo (once climbing all four routes to the top on our trip), Passo di Gavia and Passo dello Stelvio.

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.  
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Passo del Mortirolo - hairpin, Marco Pantani memorial.

Cycling the great Mortirolo, a Top 10 Italy Epic Bike Climb 

Ride 11.6 kilometers gaining 1271 meters at 11.1% average grade.

Mortirolo.  Yes, THE Mortirolo!  We love Mortirolo, and, contrary to many of its “sans scenery” critics, we beg to differ! At #9 on the Top Italian Climb List, it is a stout climb and serious challenge.  There is a reason this climb has been one of the most frequently visited (see chart, below) by the Giro d’Italia over the years.  Yes, the distant views are often blocked by the thickly wooded forests bordering the road as we ascend, but to the interested and trained eye, there is much to behold.    

Cycling Passo del Mortirolo  - aerial drone photo of the pass

Aerial photo of the Pass.

 Giro History

Year

Stage

Stage Winner

Country

1990

17

Leonardo Sierra

Venezuela

1991

15

Franco Chioccioli

Italy

1994

15

Marco Pantani

Italy

1996

21

Ivan Gotti

Italy

1997

21

Pavel Tonkov

Russia

1999

21

Roberto Hera

Spain

2004

19

Stefano Garzelli

Italy

2006

20

Ivan Basso

Italy

2008

20

Emanuele Selle

Italy

2010

19

Michele Scarponi

Italy

2015

16

Mikel Landa

Spain

2017

16

Vincenzo Nibali

Italy

2019

16

Giulio Ciccone

Italy

The approach to the pass has been from Mazzo di Valtellina in 11 of 13 Giro appearances.

The 1990 and 2017 Giro used the approach from Edolo to reach the pass.

 

Cycling Passo del Mortirolo from Mazzo di Valtellina - start of climb, narrow road between old buildings

                                                  Don’t be shy, the Mighty Mortirolo Awaits . . . if you dare!           

This is by far the most popular of the four routes to the pass and is the most difficult.  Begin the climb in Mazzo di Valtellina by riding west on Via Valle from its “T” intersection with Via Pedenali (46.25478, 10.25602 latitude / longitude).

Be prepared with proper gearing (30t for the average cyclist) because the average grade for this climb is 10.4% for 11.6 km gaining 1,273 meters.

Roadway Surface and Traffic Report: The roadway is in very good shape and there is very little traffic on the ascent and the traffic we have encountered on our two trips here travels respectfully and at a safe speed.

Climbing Passo del Mortirolo from Mazzo di Valtellina, castle

Castle at km 1.2 (had been for sale 2016 but off market 2018).

 

Pantani monument on tornante at km 7.5.

The Marco Pantani memorial is located at tornante (switchback) 11 and the cycling news report of its inauguration is:

“The inauguration of a new Marco Pantani memorial on the ascent of the Mortirolo mountain, which will this year be the final climb of the 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia, will take place on Tuesday, May 2. The association of Italian cyclists ACCPI, together with manufacturer Bianchi, brought about the memorial in honour of the 'Pirate', who died on February 14, 2004, in Rimini. The monument is located in Piaz de l’Acqua, some eight kilometres off the mountaintop.”

Climbing Passo del Mortirolo from Mazzo di Valtellina by bike - cyclists riding on roadway with mountains and clouds in background

Math Quiz:  

Cycling Passo del Mortirolo from Mazzo di Valtellina - Tornanti (hairpin) #1 sign with bike leaning against sign

. . . . how many switchbacks on Mortirolo?

  cycling Passo del Mortirolo from Mazzo di Valtellina - Tornanti (hairpin) #33 sign with town in background

Okay, I am a lawyer, not a mathematician -- there’s your fair warning!  According to the road signs, verified by our count as we looked up (briefly) from the pavement in front of us on this brute, there are 33 switchback/hairpins up the Mighty Mortirolo.  We LOVE switchbacks, and the Italian Alps are perhaps the greatest venue for switches in the world, and Mortirolo is one of its greatest ambassadors.  We took the time to photograph every switchback and sign along the way. Our slideshow is located at the bottom of this climb page -- enjoy!  

The pass.

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